What about 2x6 for roost, instead of 2x4?

[kathyinmo]

I have read several threads where birds like to roost on top of shelves, nests, etc, even when roosts are available at same height or higher. Would 2x6 with wide side up be a good roost, or is 2x4 preferred?

Next question ... Would painting the roosts make them too slick? Is there anything other than wood available.... like plastic?

 

[crtrlovr]

I modified an old shed into a chicken house, and it had shelves that were 8-10" wide. I left them up for roost boards. They work great; the only downside is that all the poo doesn't make it to the floor b/c the boards are so wide, so I use a garden hoe to scrape them off either every day or every other day (if I'm having a really bad shoulder day). I think they really like the wide width b/c they can do their shuffling/jostling around for the favored sleeping spot and no one gets knocked off the roost. The shelves are on 3 walls and they'll be scattered around on all the shelves unless it's really cold. Then they like to snuggle to all stay warm.

The adult silkie ladies sleep in the famed "silkie pile" while the silkie youngster (about 5 mos. old now) roosts on a lower roost (actually a 3 shelf plant stand designed for outdoors -- it's metal with heavy wire shelves, and goes up into 3 tiers like stair steps. The top shelf is only about 3' high (or maybe not that high -- it's about hip height on me, and I'm only 5'2"). The young frizzles and young OEGB bantams sleep on the top shelf of that plant stand.

 

[osagebill88]

My top support is an old sucker rod (basically metal a rod) and they love it. the next two are oak branches. Honestly they will all fight over getting to roost at the highest point. The alpha's get the top and everyone else files in under them. Plastic might be a bit slick. I cant see how a 2x6 would not work. If you paint it I would guess they would peck at the paint. You cant make a bad roost imo.

 

[crtrlovr]

The shelves in my chickenhouse are all the same height, so the favored spots are the ones next to the roosters!

I thought on these warm nights they'd jockey for position near the window, but they don't.

A couple of the shelves are painted; one is not. The painted ones are easier to clean. When it gets cool enough for me to tolerate being out there that long (another month or two) I'm going to do a total strip-out, pressure wash and Oxine everything, repaint the roostboards, maybe put some cheap plywood/wallboard and either paint it or put linoleum/vinyl flooring on the walls like someone suggested for easy cleaning & no mites, etc... just give the whole place a nice fresh redo before winter gets here. I'm sure they'll appreciate it!

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:
See my post just above this one re painted roost boards. I do want to suggest to anyone thinking of painting their roost boards to use latex paint rather than oil-based. I don't know that the oil-based would hurt them (unless they got on it before it dried) but personally I don't think I'd want to chance it. JMO

 

[codybird]

I don't know about a 2 x 6, but a 2 x 4 with 4 side up does not catch poop. A 2 x 6 is almost three times the cost.

 

[awtandrocks]

I have a question on the same topic! I have a bunch of old wooden dowel type curtain/ clothes rod that is about a 1 1/2 in diameter.
It isn't smooth but ribbed and I was thinking of using this for my roosts. Would this be to skinny for them to sit comfortably on?

 

[elmo]

Quote:
I wouldn't offer something round as the only roosting option. When you look at a chicken's foot and compare it to the feet of a perching bird (like a parrot, for example) you can see that the chicken's foot really isn't well adapted to grasping. That's why I think a flat perch is easier for them to roost on.

But if you offer alternatives, your birds will figure out what they like better. Just put the round perch at the same height as the flat one.

 

[Judy]

Nothing at all wrong with a 2x6, esp. if you happen to have one around. I would not paint it if it's unpainted as their nails will scratch it up pretty fast anyway. They will roost on things like tree branches, narrow boards, and closet rods, but their feet are not really made for gripping as most birds' are, so they are more comfortable if they can get their feet flat and rest on them. This also prevents frostbite to the feet in cold weather. Some of the experienced folks on here just periodically lightly sand them, then oil them with some veggie oil. Really large fowl actually often do better with a platform or shelf than even a 2x6. I would not use metal as it can be a bit slippery; it could also injure them where the winters are cold; all it would take is a bit of moisture (as from poop) causing the foot to stick or freeze to the metal. Plastic would be slippery, too, of course. Periodically there are threads about chickens getting injured trying to get on or off the roost.

 

[TinyBirds]

Our birds prefer roosting on boards too! Each one looks like a regular wood shelf, about 8-10 inches wide. They all seem to like to cuddle together closer than they'd be able to on a pole or beam.