Yeah ~ I agree with the wider flat roosts well above the height of the nest boxes. We were going to have a slanted roof on our nest boxes but decided to make a cabinet above for storage so no problem with roosting there. They do seem to like the sturdy wide roosts and if you have cold winters, it's helpful for their tootsies! I am pretty new here myself & just got 12 RIR cross pullets about 20 weeks old & they started laying within a week and all 12 are now laying at 22-24 weeks old. And they did all do the squatting thing prior to laying ~ lowered themselves and poked out their wings a bit. The 12 of them share 4 nest boxes and use all 4 boxes . . . we also had a couple shell-less eggs under the roost area, not ever in the nest boxes. Although they have oyster shell and yogurt treats, I heard it's common early on to see that and the double yolkers which we have had lots of! I love my new girls!!! Here are a few photos of our roosts & nest boxes:
