Woods-style house in the winter

[Old Philosopher]

Quote: I'm probably being over protective.

 

[JackE]

I'm probably being over protective.

Yep, the Woods is old(100 yrs +) and proven. On pg-24 of the book in the link, you can read about coops like these in use in Canada, in -40 temps.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

Because if they are higher:

• it is easier to rake under them every morning.
• you can then make the nest boxes higher so the chickens can use the space underneath and it is easier for taller people to collect eggs.

My chickens always choose the highest roost. THe highest in the pecking order get first pick--the highest . A chicken thing IMHO.

 

[bruceha2000]

My chickens always choose the highest roost. THe highest in the pecking order get first pick--the highest . A chicken thing IMHO.

Yeah it is! That is why I have 28' of roost at 4' high for my 16 girls. And they STILL piss at each other every night. Sheeseh. There is also a parallel 8' roost at 2' high but NONE have ever roosted there, they just use it to stage their hop up to the 4' level.

 

[Old Philosopher]

Mine, too.
So, it begs the question: what happens to the Pecking Order when all the roosts are the same height? Sure, they'll all still roost, but what is the psychological effect of eliminating the hierarchy?
What are the social ramifications of this forced "equality"? By making them all "equal" will we stifle the incentive to be more productive? Will the hens who can no longer assert their authority via the roost become more aggressive in the yard? Will the younger birds fail to develop normally, and cease striving for productivity because they sense that there are no longer any "perks" for excellence? And what of the rooster, if there is one? Normally, the dominant rooster will take the highest of the high roosts. Will he now become just "another bird on a perch", and loose his authority to control behavior and social order within the flock?

Hummmm.....

 

[Arielle]

lol. I see well chosen locations on each level. Mine don't bicker about location--everyone knows where to fit in for the most part....... an upset occurs from time to time. I see a hen cozying up to the same rooster, and her best friend next to her.......IMO as long as there is room to make a choice and feel safe. So, ya , plenty of room with much empty space on the roosts.

 

[aart]

Even with parallel roosts, they still bicker at roost time....I seriously doubt it removes any pecking order issues.

 

[bruceha2000]

Mine, too.
So, it begs the question: what happens to the Pecking Order when all the roosts are the same height? Sure, they'll all still roost, but what is the psychological effect of eliminating the hierarchy?
What are the social ramifications of this forced "equality"? By making them all "equal" will we stifle the incentive to be more productive? Will the hens who can no longer assert their authority via the roost become more aggressive in the yard? Will the younger birds fail to develop normally, and cease striving for productivity because they sense that there are no longer any "perks" for excellence? And what of the rooster, if there is one? Normally, the dominant rooster will take the highest of the high roosts. Will he now become just "another bird on a perch", and loose his authority to control behavior and social order within the flock?

Hummmm.....

They still assert themselves, that is what I meant about pissing at each other. A couple of the pullets prefer the right back corner. One of the Faverolles will intentionally go over and force them to move (usually flying down to the ground) then will go to the other side of the coop to sleep. The younger birds then go back to their favored corner. I think it is better for all the birds if none are forced to sleep low since they feel safer the higher they can get.

And the pecking order isn't only on the roosts. Peep (a Cubalaya 2/3 the size of the bigger birds) will chase the pullets away from BOSS or scratch even though I spread it far and wide. Thus far, the younger birds still respect/fear their elders even when they could kick the tail feathers off them.

 

[Old Philosopher]

What I'm reading above is that there is bickering going on with birds roosting all at the same level. Not sure that occurs as much when there is a tiered roost available.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I have 2 parallel roosts, then a couple other roosts available. They all use the parallel...even if there are "roost wars". They still all end up on the parallels. Even with only 6 birds and lots of roost space they still have roost wars and still end up on the parallels.

(FYI - the 2 parallels are 6 ft. long each with a couple feet between them. Then there are about another 5 ft. of roost they could use elsewhere.)