'Winging' it -ha- will they figure it out?

[mamacita0804]

This is my creation I've been putting together- so far only spent $80 in materials. Question- can chickens roost on 3/8 plywood or need be round ? I was contemplating using 1x2 on that front 'panel window' for something to grip instead of purchasing a dowel rod or screwin in a limb from a tree ... I put 1 of my girls in there and she stood on te front then fell over- I'm not sure if she is just special or they really cannot grip .. What y'all think?

(Sorry if pic not the best- I was working on it all day along w my 3 halflings all under age 6 and finished when dark)

 

[mamacita0804]

Inside

 

[yogifink]

You should add a perch on the front of that thing form them to jump onto so that they can get into their boxes. Chickens don't have very good aim...

Lots of folks recommend 2x4's for roosts. I use old branches that are at least 2" in diameter.

 

[mamacita0804]

 

[mamacita0804]

You should add a perch on the front of that thing form them to jump onto so that they can get into their boxes. Chickens don't have very good aim...

Lots of folks recommend 2x4's for roosts. I use old branches that are at least 2" in diameter.

Lol I noticed lack of aim- would 1x2 be enough 'perch?' We have plenty trees I could get limbs. I have 1 long 8ft 1x2 piece wood left

 

[lazy gardener]

1 x 2 is not sturdy enough unless you have lots of bracing underneath. You will be much happier with a 2 x 4 with the corners rounded a bit, and the flat side facing up for them to perch on. the girls will be much happier also.

 

[Irishhenman]

If you can't get tree limbs of about 2" diameter use some 2x2 and round off the corners a small bit with sand paper just to remove sharp corners and splinters

 

[mamacita0804]

Found and using tree limbs and attaching using 550 cord - they are now more curious ..

 

[yogifink]

You should add a perch on the front of that thing form them to jump onto so that they can get into their boxes. Chickens don't have very good aim...

Lots of folks recommend 2x4's for roosts. I use old branches that are at least 2" in diameter.

Lol I noticed lack of aim- would 1x2 be enough 'perch?' We have plenty trees I could get limbs. I have 1 long 8ft 1x2 piece wood left

I am a big fan of using what I have got before I buy something new. Maybe try to make some sort of brackets with the 1x2 to support a branch - like a shelf.

 

[jonadue]

I think for a perch to help them get into a nest box you should use something that they can grip but too small for them to be comfortable enough to roost on. If they like to roost on it you will end up with poop in the nest box.
I use a 3.5 inch diameter tree branch for their roost, but for the perch in front of the nest I use a 1.5" grade stake mounted with 8" shelf brackets. I have also noticed that they will root on the highest perch hey can find in the coop so make sure the roost is higher than the nest boxes.