Why So Much Coop Roosting Space Needed?

[WI chickens]

I have 40' of roost. Currently, there are 16 chickens in there. 10 of them use about 2' of space and the other 6 use about 8" it seems. They like at least 6' between the groups though...

 

[FlockVillemaire]

I have no idea lol!

I set up our new coop with a 4ft bar and 5ft bar for 6 hens. The recommended allowance is 1ft per bird.

I present exhibit A. And generally they're a lot tighter than this.


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This is mostly in jest lol!

November's getting mighty chilly (almost freezing, maybe this week?) in NorCal, but 115 degree summer days had them much farther apart! I haven't yet figured out how to put up my second 4 foot high roost for my 8 March chicks. I already have my dad's 4' low roost (he built in his coop) and one of my own 4' high roosts. Still, my Welsummer wants to sleep in a nest! Maybe I can get it up today??? Pretty sure I need a far more powerful drill than my wimpy kit has, but we can't find my recently passed dad's power drill anywhere. So shopping first?

One night all 8, including my magnificent Light Brahma, got up on the high perch squished closely together, so clearly that's their preference! I just need to get them more space up high. Don't want to exacerbate their pecking order!