Roost ideas for a small coop.

[Bear1978]

I have converted a 6x4 playhouse into a chicken coop for 6 average size hens. Along with an enclosed and covered 144sq.ft. Chicken run/yard.
I am limited in space for the roosts and 2 nesting boxes. The roost I have set up now is about 3ft off the floor with a ladder up to it. And it’s about 45in long. Then about 18in from the end I have another cross section there that’s about 32in long. I’m afraid my girls will need more roosting space once they get full grown and are out in the coop area. The coop is about 7ft high just not sure how I could arrange another roost higher than the first one at a height and way they can get to it from the lower one? I’ve attached pics to show my design, just minus the poop board I installed this afternoon. Thoughts?

 

[21hens-incharge]

With chickens and roosts it isn't always good to have them up high. It takes some landing space for those choosing not to wait for the ladder to be clear before leaving the roost.

While many can and will jump almost straight up to get on the roost they kind of fly to get down.

For 6 standard size birds you need 6' of roost space. Roughly 12" per bird.

Perhaps put one on each end along the 4' wall. They may still all roost on one side but at least there is an option. I recommend only having it 24" off the ground to help avoid crashing. My Australorp use roughly 3' of floor space from the roost outward to land. My Brahma needs 8' and even then sometimes crashes into me in the mornings at 9' away. My roosts are 24" from the floor and 18" from the wall to keep tails (or poop ) from hitting the wall.

 

[Alaskan]

I would make one perch centered over the poop tray, a second perch on the front edge of the poop tray, and call that good.

Nests could be tucked under the poop tray.

But yes, the breeds you have GREATLY affect how well they can go up and down, but I think the rule of thumb is 45 degree angle.

 

[21hens-incharge]

By the way....Good job on using hardware cloth on those windows.
One suggestion.....have them hinged on the top like this.....

They open at an angle keeping rain out....


Did I see open sofits?
Add hardware cloth there too if you haven't already.
This is in my small coop....

It can be done from the outside but is a pain to do. This was easy and is effective at keeping raccoons out. Those buggers can squish through almost any 2" gap.

 

[Bear1978]

Thanks guys! I have the nest boxes set to where they can be accessed from the outside of the coop via a larger window on the back wall that way I don’t have to walk into the coop to collect eggs. My nesting boxes are sitting directly on the floor. So I guess I can forgo the ladder by lowering the roost to 24in above the ground? My poop board is only about 19in wide so not sure how arranging 2 over it would work given the space needed? But don’t the roosts need to be at least 18 inches apart from one another?

 

[Bear1978]

By the way....Good job on using hardware cloth on those windows.
One suggestion.....have them hinged on the top like this.....
View attachment 2219338
They open at an angle keeping rain out....
View attachment 2219341

Did I see open sofits?
Add hardware cloth there too if you haven't already.
This is in my small coop....
View attachment 2219343
It can be done from the outside but is a pain to do. This was easy and is effective at keeping raccoons out. Those buggers can squish through almost any 2" gap.

Well my run will be completely covered and it’s under a big oak tree as it is so I’m not too worried about rain getting in.

And yes, they’re open soffits but I’m going to add hardware cloth over those as well.

 

[Alaskan]

But don’t the roosts need to be at least 18 inches apart from one another?

My poop boards are about 2 feet wide, one perch in the middle of each, one on the front edge, so the perches are 12 inches apart.

It does work in the 3 areas I set them up... the birds all face the same direction...

 

[21hens-incharge]

Well my run will be completely covered and it’s under a big oak tree as it is so I’m not too worried about rain getting in.

And yes, they’re open soffits but I’m going to add hardware cloth over those as well.

I love having the open sofits for venting. Covering the run will be nice too.

I think you have done a nice job seeing to the birds needs for housing.

 

[Bear1978]

Thanks all!
So basically I need to ditch the ladder, lower the roosts to about 2ft high, add to the width of my poop board and add another row of roost with it being spaced about a foot apart- to maximize the amount of space I have?

But will the chicks be able to jump up the 2ft to the roost at the age of 5-6 weeks old when I let them out there without the need of a ladder?

 

[Alaskan]

Maybe,maybe not.

For fat girls and younger chicks I put in a stump, but an over turned 5 gallon bucket will also work.

So, a step stool for chickens.

Even fat girls can jump up 1.5 feet.