Why High/Tall Roost???

[LaPineEggs]

I've viewed literally about 5000 coop and run photos on two different threads. I've seen about every design a person could think-up displayed on those pics.

My question is why folks make their roost high up in their coops. Several articles I have read suggest that there is no benefit for the bird to have a high roost inside a secure coop..., and in fact can lead to injury of the birds trying to fly up to those high roost, or fly down and crash hard to the floor! Some suggest roost should only be a foot or two above the coop floor.

Please, educate a soon-to-be new hen owner..., what am I missing about this issue?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It's because chickens like to roost as high as they can get. If they have high roosts, they'll often go up into the rafters.
You're right, there isn't a great benefit other than one. The roost needs to be significantly higher than the nests or they may opt to sleep in the nests. It helps to have the nests 6-18 inches above the floor so they don't scratch bedding and feces into the nest.
I think for many breeds 3 or 4 feet is adequate. If you have multiple levels, the dominant birds will assume the highest roosts.
A foot or two would be enough if it weren't for the sleeping in the nest issue.
Too high near the roof and a bird can break its neck if it hits its head. A deep litter bedding should be sufficient to cushion the landing when they jump off the roost.

 

[cavemanrich]

Chickens are birds so therefore they like trees. They will go up high into a tree if possible.. ( I am talking real flyer type chickens,,, not the overgrown , overweight broilers. ) When you have a coop and several levels of roost available. ( as I do ) the TOP DOGS..

. (HIGHEST IN THE PECKING ORDER ) WILL GO TO THE HIGHEST ROOST. Others will settle for lower rungs. It is good to build your coop inside with landing points at different levels so the journey up or down is in steps or levels. A high coop with different levels gives more volume to the structure and thereby allowing chickens to not feel CROWDED.. Ideal height for many roosts is about 4 feet. You want the ventilation to be above them and so chickens are not in any drafts. Remember that everyones circumstance varies so each coop may be different even though they are ALL EXCELLENT COOPS..

WISHING YOU BEST

 

[aart]

My roosts are only about 3 feet...nests are about 2 feet.
I have a mesh 'ceiling' so they can't roost higher, but they tried at first<cringes>.

 

[RJSorensen]

I have my banty coop roost at about three feet, and the big girls are at about two feet high. I do not see any reason to go higher.

RJ

 

[junebuggena]

Roosts should be at least a foot higher than the tops of the nest boxes. That way the birds use the roost bars for sleeping instead of sleeping in the nest boxes. Chickens sleeping in the nest boxes will lead to very poopy, gross eggs in the morning.