Closet rod OK for roost?

[SchipKnit]

Will a 1 1/4" wood closet rod work for a roost?

We're coop building and made the roost brackets to hold a closet rod. Now I'm worried that we need something larger and flatter. But this will require a lot of rework - the roost bracket also includes the poop tray. If the rod won't work as is, would flattening out the top be sufficient?

Planned micro-flock is one Buff, one Araucana, one something or another than lays white eggs (foster chick raiser hasn't specified).

Wisdom appreciated!

J

 

[elmo]

I wouldn't use anything that round. Flatter is better for a chicken's foot.

I don't know what your set up is, but it would seem easier to me to alter the roost brackets than it would be to plane down a whole closet rod, then make sure there are no splinters, etc. How close is the roost to the poop tray, anyway?

 

[Katy]

That is really too small for LF to comfortably be able to roost. Use a 2X4 or 2X6.

 

[my3jsons]

That's a great question. We want to know too. When we built we used closet rods and most of them either roost on the hangers that hold the closet rods or on one of the feeders. They do use the closet rods after the other two places are filled up.

 

[CoopCrazy]

NOpe too round 2x4 is really best as they can sit on their feet if they are cold with a round one they cant

 

[FiveHens]

It needs to be rougher and not slippery...we used thick tree branches.

 

[SchipKnit]

Thanks! We've replaced the closet rod with a 2x4, mounted flat, with the top corners rounded over. I've lost my removeable roost feature, but hope to have happier chickens.

The poop tray is mounted about a foot below the roost. If that doesn't work, I'll go to plan C - or is that D, or E, maybe F?

J

 

[BankerJohn]

you can still have a removable roost bar using the 2X4 flat. Consider cutting a piece of 2X4 and screwing it to the side of the coop where the ends of the roost bar would attach. Now place the roost bar on the pieces that are screwed to the sides of the coop. It would work like the U shaped bar holders.

 

[Peep_Show]

I had a closet rod as a roost in a former coop... The young birds loved it, but the older ones just used it as a step, as it were, up to the rafters which were 2x4 boards. It was great, though, for taking out and cleaning as a pet store perch brush could be used to scrape it.

BTW, L-O-V-E your avatar! Schipperkes are great little dogs....and they last forever provided they don't encounter outdoor misadventure. My beloved and spoiled-rotten Sparkie was with me for close to 17 years. Someday in the future I'll have another one (we're in a "big dog" phase at the moment per DH's request) which I plan to name.... drumroll, please! .... Lolly (as in the good schip Lolly pup).

What? Do I hear a collective groan???

 

[SchipKnit]

Quote:
Maybe not collective, but certainly from me!

So glad your Sparkie had such a long and spoiled-rotten life - our schips are 7 and 8 and so far, the only outdoor misadventures have been falling overboard a few times. That's why Jake is wearing his life jacket in the avatar. I waited 9 years to get my first schip and I hope to have many, many years with my little black devils.

It remains to be seen how they do with the upcoming chicken additions to the family - I foresee a lot of "Leave It"s!

J