Confused about roosts!

[AtholCoop]

Quote:
Yes they are. They jump/fly right up to it.

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Quote:
Yes they are. They jump/fly right up to it.

When I first looked at your picture I was using my netbook and didn't see anything but the post going to the ceiling. The roost bar connected to the post didn't show up. No wonder I was confused. Thanks for helping me.

 

[Crazyland]

I like the idea of mounting the bars to the ceiling. May have to try that in my next coop.

Right now we have a 2x4 ladder style. The lower one is 9 inches off the ground and the higher is close to 2 feet. Total length is 36 inches. I have 3 roos and 2 hens and They all like the top one.

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Reading your suggestions and looking at the pictures you've shared have been wonderful.

I went to see my coop yesterday. We haven't been able to bring it home because it won't stop SNOWING... The coop is 6x8 with two windows and a pop door on one long side and a human door on a short side. I'm planning on 8 to 10 chickens. I don't think I want to put the roosts along the other long side but not doing so will mean I need two roosts across the short side. Just so many wonderful decisions to make!!

 

[newchicksnducks]

There are so many choices when deciding the interior of your coop! My coop is a 8x8 former tree/club house my children outgrew. It currently houses 13 pullets, has 2 windows, a pop door, and a man door. My roosts are 2x4 w/the 4"side flat. I have two roosts running the 8 ft length, 12 inches apart and about 12" apart height wise. The majority of the girls will use the upper roost, with 2-4 using the lower one (it changes day to day). I have a painted OSB board under the roosts about 30 inches off the ground that I scrape every 2-3 days and empty into a bucket, which then empties into the compost bin. The floor of the coop is painted plywood floor covered with 8" of pine shavings. I have 2 feeders, one under the droppings board, and a homemade one in the "main" area. The nest boxes (4) are on the opposite wall from the roosts, the bottom two 18"off the floor. You will want to have the roosts higher than the nest boxes, to prevent "roosting" and dirtying in the boxes. I have a ramp from the droppings board to the floor to help assist my Jersey Giant as she gets older to get up/down to the roosts. Good luck and have fun w/your interior designing!

A look at the roosts and droppings board

A look of the nest boxes

You can see a small portion of the ramp running from the dropping board area across the coop and ending almost under the nest boxes on the opposite wall. Just some other options

The under mounted feeder

 

[CTChickenMom]

Here are my roosts:

I use a deep litter method. I was able to get some commericial grade vinyl for the floor. 11 of my 13 adult chickens fit on the top bar, both are railings we never used. The top rail is about 12-14 inches from the wall and the bottom about 2 feet out so no one gets pooed on!

I think the size/breed of your babies should determine how far from the wall you need your roosts. Bantams don't need much room, Jersey Giants will need more as will long tailed breeds like Yokahamas and Phoenix. Heavier breeds should have their roosts closer to the floor. That said, a stepped system will allow them to go higher as most will go as high as they can get. I stepped mine for the sake of space. I have a little GP Hamburg who likes to sleep on top of the wall beams. She's left quite a poo mess there!

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Your pictures and suggestions keep coming!! Thanks so much!

 

[Chickenoverload]

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I have a staggered style but for the most part not one of them sleeps on the bottom one. it is just good to have a staggered one so really heavy breeds like jersey giants can get up easier and down.

to answer the 2nd ? mine is probably 4 ft high. you might want to use a droppings board so the shavings last longer in the coop and don't get as dirty

My roost was a little less than a foot away from the wall and there was poop all over the wall so i moved it farther out close to 18 in away from it.

Hope it helps!

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Do you see your heavy chickens using the lowest roost when coming down to the floor or do they jump/fly from the higher roosts?

 

[catdaddy66]

1. I like staggered as a mor efficient use of vertical space
2. Mine are to be 3 and 4 ft high respectively
3. All are good but again, I like dropping board to make best use of tight space
4. Absolutely (see above reason!)
5. I am going 12" from wall.

All of my choices were for convienience and efficient use of space. I hope it all works out well!

My space is at a premium so I hope you have more to work with. I do have the ability to fashion 2-3 more small tractors for 4 birds each if I need them, and I am sure that I will!!!