{"id":974,"date":"2022-11-22T19:56:57","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T19:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/chicken-roost-designs\/"},"modified":"2022-11-22T19:56:57","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T19:56:57","slug":"chicken-roost-designs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/khetwise.com\/blog\/chicken-roost-designs\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicken Roost Designs | Two Simple DIY Ladder Perch Ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chickens don\u2019t need much. But a place to roost or perch is a necessity! The goal of this post is to give you an overview of why chicken roosting bars are important and show you two simple chicken roost designs that you can build quickly and easily with leftover materials.<\/p>\n

Why our chickens weren\u2019t very happy with us<\/h2>\n

This past spring we doubled up our chickens on our farmstead!<\/p>\n

Our chicken coop inside our barn<\/a><\/strong> suddenly went from housing 25 chickens to around 50. There was plenty of room in there to accommodate the population growth – especially since they free-range during the day – but the roost I had built clearly wasn\u2019t cutting it.<\/p>\n

Their tree branch ladder roost was pretty good sized. Surely they\u2019ll find a way to nestle in close together and make room for everyone\u2026 Uh uhh.<\/p>\n

\"diy<\/figure>\n

The pecking order was all out of whack. Chickens were disgruntled. I was nightly chasing down chickens roosting all over the barn. And when I did put them in the coop the huddled cluster of chickens in the corner on the ground told me they needed a new piece of furniture\u2014and fast.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll talk about the two types of chicken roost designs I built for our chicken coop below. They are super simple!<\/p>\n

But first, let\u2019s talk through the basics of chicken roost designs and why they\u2019re a necessity!<\/p>\n

What is a Chicken Roost or Perch?<\/h2>\n

Animals are happiest when their domesticated environment matches their wild environment.<\/p>\n

Birds in nature roost, or perch, high up in trees on branches. You\u2019ll find them primarily roosting through the night, but they also do so during the day.<\/p>\n

Chickens are no different. This innate behavior is how birds keep themselves comfortable and safe from predators, especially while sleeping.<\/p>\n

\"natural<\/figure>\n

Roosting is also important for the social dynamics within a flock. Since the higher bars of a roost are safer, these spots are prized. Chickens higher up in the pecking order will claim those higher spots, leaving the more susceptible lower spots open for chickens that are lower in the pecking order.<\/p>\n

Or, you might really be viewed as an outcast if you have no spot at all – as was the case in our coop! Let’s solve that.<\/p>\n

Why Chickens Need a Roost<\/h2>\n

Chickens instinctually roost side-by-side in rows. Huddled close, this helps them keep warm and they also work together on a roosting bar to help keep balance.<\/p>\n

Another, almost miraculous, ability chickens have is to shut down one side of their brain while keeping the other side fully alert. This is how chickens keep watch for predators while sleeping. The chickens on the outside of each roosting bar will sleep with one eye open, keeping that side of their brain alert to watch for predators. The other eye is shut and that side of their brain turned off to get much needed rest. They\u2019ll likely even turn around during the night to give each side of their brain a rest!<\/p>\n

\"simple<\/figure>\n

It\u2019s clear that chickens feel the most safe and secure when properly roosting. But here are some other ways a roost will benefit your flock:<\/p>\n

Foot Protection.<\/strong> A properly designed roost will keep a chicken’s foot in tip-top shape. On freezing nights, their feet tuck warmly under their body reducing the risk of frostbite. Also, chickens are deep sleepers. When on the ground, small rodents like rats can nibble at chicken’s feet, legs, or backs while they sleep unawares. Roosting higher above ground removes that threat.<\/p>\n

Keep Them Healthy.<\/strong> Let\u2019s face it, the ground of a chicken coop gets dirty. Sleeping in those unsanitary conditions can lead to disease over time. What\u2019s more is that ticks, mites, and lice can hide out in the bedding of your coop and come out to feast on your chickens at night.<\/p>\n

Prevent Anxiety.<\/strong> Without a proper roost or enough roost space, your flock will be in turmoil. One, they\u2019ll never feel safe leading to a perpetual lack of sleep. Two, they won\u2019t be able to live out their social order as they desire to. This will stress your chickens out and worsen unwanted behaviors like feather pecking.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt chickens need a suitable roost to accommodate the whole flock. So, let’s start looking at chicken roost design considerations.<\/p>\n

Dimensions of Chicken Roost Designs<\/h2>\n

There are two critical dimensions to any roost design:<\/p>\n

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  1. The roosting bar height above ground.<\/li>\n
  2. The distance between roosting bars.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Most roosts are ladder style where the roosting bars, or rungs of the ladder, get gradually higher. Start with determining the height of the lowest rung. Then, layout the remaining roosting bars from there.<\/p>\n

    The lowest roosting bar should be at least 12\u201d off the ground, but 18-24\u201d is recommended.<\/p>\n

    The horizontal spacing between each roosting bar should be 12-18\u201d apart. Any closer, and your birds will be within range of pooping on each other throughout the night!<\/p>\n

    \"simple<\/figure>\n

    In terms of the top of the roost, there should be at least 12\u201d between the highest perch bar and the ceiling of the coop for chickens to comfortably access and use the top rung. The top roost bar should also sit a minimum of 12\u201d off the wall to give your wall some poop clearance!<\/p>\n

    A final consideration is the angle at which your roost or ladder sits. A 45\u00b0 angle is ideal. You can go steeper, but it will be tricky to achieve the horizontal spacing needed between roosting bars.<\/p>\n

    Flat vs. Rounded Chicken Roosting Bars<\/h2>\n

    There is conflicting information out there about the proper size and shape of roosting bars.<\/p>\n

    Many chicken roost designs call for 2×4 roosting bars that are oriented horizontally (flat side up). The claim is that chickens actually prefer a flat perch versus a rounded one and can better protect their feet during the wintertime on a flatter, wider roost.<\/p>\n

    The case against horizontal 2×4\u2019s is that chickens can\u2019t properly wrap their toes around them for proper balance. Studies have shown that chickens prefer a roosting bar to be around 2\u201d to 2-1\/2\u201d wide for optimal grip and comfort.<\/p>\n

    \"brach<\/figure>\n

    My philosophy tends to be that farming should follow nature. And I have a hard time visualizing what a chicken would find to perch on in nature that is flat and high enough to keep them safe from predators. My chickens naturally perch on branches in bushes during the day.<\/p>\n

    That said, I built one of each as an experiment – a round tree branch roost and a horizontal 2×4 roost. I plan to update this post over time with what my chickens tell me about each design.<\/p>\n

    Materials for Chicken Roost Designs<\/h2>\n

    When it comes to a chicken roost, stick with wood.<\/p>\n

    Metal gets too cold which can increase chances of frostbite and other foot ailments. And plastic is often slick making it difficult for chickens to maneuver. Wood is the ideal fit.<\/p>\n

    Regardless of using dimensional lumber or natural branches, make sure your wood is smooth and splinter free to reduce chances of infections like Bumblefoot<\/a>. Ease any sharp edges with a router, planer, or sandpaper. And select smooth tree branches without sharp corners or protruding knots.<\/p>\n

    \"diy
    DIY 2×4 ladder roost materials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Building your own chicken roost is the perfect project to use scrap or repurposed materials for. Spare 2×4\u2019s. An old piece of furniture. Pallets that someone left out by the curb. Downed branches around your yard or from a neighbor. As long as they are sturdy and smooth pieces of wood, about anything will do!<\/p>\n

    As a side note, I\u2019d steer clear of pressure treated wood. Except maybe for the ladders side rails or legs that come in contact with the ground. Treated lumber contains harsh chemicals that you don\u2019t want coming in contact with your chicken’s feet for extended periods.<\/p>\n

    Two Easy DIY Chicken Roost Designs<\/h2>\n

    Building your own roost is the perfect beginner-friendly farm project! Each of these roosts took about a half hour to build and use very basic tools. Here\u2019s a list of what you need:<\/p>\n

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    • Circular saw<\/li>\n
    • Impact driver or drill<\/li>\n
    • 2-1\/2\u201d or 3\u201d screws*<\/li>\n
    • Tape measurer<\/li>\n
    • Speed square<\/li>\n
    • Pencil<\/li>\n
    • Safety glasses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \"2x4<\/figure>\n

      Note that each of these roosts as shown were designed for our coop. But, it is easy to modify the size or design to fit your situation. For example, both of my ladder roosts lean against the wall of the coop. If you need a freestanding roost, simply add legs to each corner of the roost or build an A-frame roost.<\/p>\n

      As a rule of thumb, one average sized chicken will require about 12\u201d of roosting bar space. So plan out your roosting ladder based on the size of your flock and build to suit.<\/p>\n

      *My preference are coated screws with a star bit. They are so much easier to use than a standard Philips head screws and since they\u2019re coated they last longer in high moisture applications like chicken coops!<\/p>\n

      Roost Design #1 – 2×4 Ladder Roost<\/h2>\n

      If you have 5 roughly 8\u2019 spare 2×4\u2019s lying around then you\u2019re in business. That\u2019s all this simple 2×4 ladder roost requires. The video below visually walks you through the build process.<\/p>\n

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