Comfortable roosting bar ideas?

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Any ideas on what I can use to make my chickens roosting bar a lot more comfortable for them? They sleep on 2x4 with the 4 inch side up and I was just wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to make it more softer and comfortable for them. Most people wouldn't worry about it but I want mine to be extremely happy chickens. I read one suggestion about carpet but I read that mites can live in it. Any other ideas? GOD bless.

 

[apryl29]

I'd stick w/ a solid surface b/c if you use something soft you run the risk of them losing their grip and falling off the roost, or getting their nails caught. They aren't the most graceful creatures and can lose their footing when moving across the roost (or if another bird knocks them off). The 2x4 is usually recommended b/c the birds will rest their body on the feet and keep their toes warm in the winter. I have also use a thick tree branch that they seem to like. Just avoid anything too narrow or anything pointed that could hurt them.

 

[karissapaul]

im just making them out of branches.

 

[Melky]

Any ideas on what I can use to make my chickens roosting bar a lot more comfortable for them? They sleep on 2x4 with the 4 inch side up and I was just wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to make it more softer and comfortable for them. Most people wouldn't worry about it but I want mine to be extremely happy chickens. I read one suggestion about carpet but I read that mites can live in it. Any other ideas? GOD bless.

I'm the same you really do not want to add another place for bugs to set in. Plus their feet will get them dirty and require scrubbing them down. Mine are just factory painted and varnished per myself rounded over top and flat bottom. I just made sure they were smooth to avoid scratching foot and wide enough for adults. That is pretty much it. You want to keep them easily cleanable.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

If you have 2x4 roosts, the 2 inch side should be up. they much prefer it that way. I've seen where if there are two roosts, and one has the 4" side up,and the other has the 2" side up, they will all crowd onto the 2" one. In the wild, chickens roost on tree branches, and they like to be able to curl their toes around it. It helps them keep their balance.

I know you wanted suggestions for putting softness on the roosts. But I truly can't think of anything except carpet,which you mentioned mites live in.
As said above, chickens would naturally roost in trees, which is hard. I don't think they mind at all.

 

[Melky]

Agreed on the 2 "roosting bar side up because chickens are not flat footed and they can still roost while sitting as an adult and cover feet. They do need to curl their feet around a bar front and back.

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

If you have 2x4 roosts, the 2 inch side should be up. they much prefer it that way. I've seen where if there are two roosts, and one has the 4" side up,and the other has the 2" side up, they will all crowd onto the 2" one. In the wild, chickens roost on tree branches, and they like to be able to curl their toes around it. It helps them keep their balance.

I know you wanted suggestions for putting softness on the roosts. But I truly can't think of anything except carpet,which you mentioned mites live in.
As said above, chickens would naturally roost in trees, which is hard. I don't think they mind at all.

They only reason I didn't use the 2 inch side up was because I read about it causing keel bone deformeties and foot problems.

 

[Melky]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/keel-bone-injuries

Here is some info. On keel bone problems but it has been my experience that rough perches or ones that are less than two inches can cause this problem. That is why there is a 2 inch minimum but wider is not better. Soft smooth perches tend to be better. I haven’t seen anything that says two inches can still cause this. It’s when the bar is so narrow that the foot toes overlap to grip. If an open grip without overlap then it usually does not cause foot problems. This balanced with free range time or resting can prevent problems. See bar height limit as well.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

They only reason I didn't use the 2 inch side up was because I read about it causing keel bone deformeties and foot problems.

Hmm. We've have chickens for 5+ years, and haven't had any problems. I would suspect that is a myth.