How high shoul a roost be?

[TJsGoldenGirls]

Just had a major coop catastrophe...the roosting bar fell down and the birds were freaking out! I don't think any are hurt but this is the second night I've had to help one of them onto the roost, I don't know if there is enough room for her to get up there if the others are already purched, but here is plenty of room on the bar for all 3. Should I lower the bar? It's a kit coop and I just have it at the height it came, and I can lower it. Do they care to be high or low? It's just a small 10 sq ft roosting coop, which I thought would be plenty for birds to just sleep and nest in. Suggestions? This sad RIR has needed a boost two out of the three nights I've had these birds, and they got quite a scare when the bar fell down. I checked them all over, though it was dark, but I don't see any injuries, just a lot of squawking.

 

[4 the Birds]

Small coops don't have a lot of roost options since the location and head space may be limited. Many times the kit coops have thin removable rods for the roost bars. I like to use landscape timbers since they are "beefy", rounded and wide enough for the birds to sit and cover their feet with their feathers. My bars are not removable and screwed into the walls and supported with wood blocks. You could do the same and remove screws to remove for any thorough cleanings.

 

[TJsGoldenGirls]

This is in fact a removable bar, it's a substantial size and rounded, but it could be better. I was thinking of it just being about 6" above the litter, they could easily step over it and it would still be higher than the nesting boxes. I'll for sure use screws, I ha no idea how strong they were. Thx