How To Build A Chicken Roost That Won’t Harm Your Chickens

Рет қаралды 198,797

6 жыл бұрын

Learn how to build a chicken roost in todays video!
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In todays video we build a chicken roost with these tools and materials...
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If you are getting chickens, then you need to provide them with a coop.
And if you are going to build a chicken coop yourself, then you need to learn how to build a chicken roost!
In todays video we discuss how to build a roost that will not harm your chickens!
In this video we show you how to put up your own roost, and we answer the most asked questions about chicken roosts... Like
How many chickens can I put on a roost?
Do chicken roosts need to be round?
How big does a chicken roost need to be?
how high can a chicken roost be?
We share with you some great info from scientific studies done on chickens. If you would like to read these articles yourself...
1 - Poultry Science Magazine
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
2- Poultry Club of Great Britain
www.poultryclub.org/img/downlo...
3- Poultry Science, Volume 90, Issue 4, 1 April 2011, Pages 715-724,
academic.oup.com/ps/article/9...
4- British Poultry Science Magazine www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1...
When building your chickens roost, make sure to get a piece of square or rectangular lumber, around 2" wide for the perch, up off the ground around 2 feet (or less), make sure your roosts are all the same height, and make sure that you have at least 8" of roost space per chicken. A Coop with that setup will have happy hens!
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Пікірлер: 191

@victorm7274 2 жыл бұрын

4:40 it’s actually a 2x3 . Actual size of the lumber is 1-1/2 X 2-1/2

@sQWERTYFALIEN2011 2 жыл бұрын

. . . . . Saw it ! I'm glad I checked comments before posting . we will forgive him .

@coyoteloghomesinc.1381 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Austin, I just want to compliment you on the quality of your video's. They are a delight to watch and I look forward to watching them everyday!

@Tabaraka562 5 жыл бұрын

There are at least two happy families over there... on my word, good humor is contagious. Thanks...

@ZEEALL 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, my general research about roosts, all indicate that, nesting boxes, should always be under de rooster so that chickens won't sleep inside nesting boxes, and, because they will always go to the highest spot to sleep in. Just a tip.

@ricklindblade6509 4 жыл бұрын

Spot on. You are correct.

@susyesmera4633 3 жыл бұрын

That is the same I learnt. That the roosts have to be above the nests. And all my nests are wooden nests as I don't like plastic.

@ZEEALL 3 жыл бұрын

@@susyesmera4633... beware, too much wood is too many mites...

@susyesmera4633 3 жыл бұрын

@@ZEEALL I heard you. I just love wood & I try to keep it very clean...put some baking soda in the corners... and some apple cider vinegar in the chickens water...and well... their dust bath. Lol

@gerrymatheson4020 3 жыл бұрын

Not one above the other (things will get awfully dirty)...I think what you meant is that all roosts should be at a greater height than the nest boxes... otherwise they may prefer roosting on or in the nest boxes...

@norman-gregory 3 жыл бұрын

Greetings...C'mon Dad, at the end with the Crew, Awesome. May there be much Happiness. Thanks for the Knowledge. Praise Our Lord and Saviour Jesus.

@syridian1000 6 жыл бұрын

HAHAHA!! Love when the chicken was yelling at you that was so funny!

@eatwhatukiii2532 3 жыл бұрын

In cold climates like northern states and Canada, toes exposed below feather cover are subject to frost bite. 4” is standard MINIMUM perch width in northern climates where temperatures drop below freezing. Chickens without feet (due to frost bite) is a real thing, and you will run into mention of this issue a lot on the poultry forums (people writing in when they discover their chickens’ toes and feet have frozen). A simple search for the term frost bite, or frost bitten toes should demonstrate. If you want to curve the edges of the perches to make them more “ergonomic” that’s fine, but observe your chickens’ feet at night when they are roosting to make sure the toes aren’t exposed. Larger breeds with bare legs are even more susceptible. It should go without saying that if you are installing perches low enough for smaller predators to reach (Rats, Weasels, Minks) that the run and sleeping area must be ABSOLUTELY PREDATOR PROOF, with 1/2” wire mesh (commonly sold as “hardware cloth”) surrounding all the open-air areas and all gaps between wood panels and under doors closed up to prevent them getting in. Weasels and minks will chase down chickens and usually wipe out an entire flock in one visit. Rats devour food and have been shown in video surveillance footage to occasionally kill vulnerable members of a flock. Another note, since chickens seek the highest roost, make sure your nest boxes are on a lower level than the roosts, or they’ll roost (and poo all night) in the nests, dirtying the eggs. All surfaces should be painted (or limed) to seal the wood for hygiene purposes. That is standard for any livestock and dog/cat kennels/boarding facilities as well and Animal Welfare inspectors check for that. Bacteria, viruses, and mites will get into the cracks and pores of bare wood and cause disease conditions, and it’s very difficult to sanitize bare wood. The brackets are a good idea for supporting the perches. 👍 Chickens tend to buddy-up with their favorite companions at night and you might see groups of five or six side by side with a loner off by herself, and perches without support brackets can sag.

@RickMitchellProvenanceAndRoots 6 жыл бұрын

That hen 🐔 was reading you the riot act! LOL

@felishiadarling Жыл бұрын

I would’ve put the 1 X 2 with the longer side up so they would be more comfortable. My coop has 2 X 4 roosts with the 4” side up. The reason I did this is they like to rest their breast bone on the roost as well.

@hisimagenme 6 жыл бұрын

Nicely done! Fun to watch! Love the giraffe perch! Lol! And that angry chicken, guess she didn't want us to 'screw' with her laying progress! Smiles and blessings...

@MFC1029 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Austin, thank you making this great video! Evidence based information in an absolute fun way format!

@candicechristensen1753 6 жыл бұрын

Hahaha 😅 the sleeping/chicken fingers part was good. Very clever Mr.

@We_are_the_light 4 жыл бұрын

Its actually technical, the details are important. Great post

@kevinmartin4787 Жыл бұрын

I saw a giraffe, trying to roost!😂😂😂 great video! Thank you for all of the information!

@christynm.8933 3 ай бұрын

YOUR KIDS ARE SOOO DARN CUTE!🥰🥰🥰

@jamesreimer9560 6 жыл бұрын

It's a good idea to have the roosts higher than the nests, since chickens tend to roost on the highest place possible. I enjoy your videos and glad to be a subscriber!

@annwithaplan9766 2 жыл бұрын

James Reimer - Yes. Chickens don't fly up to lay their eggs. I have my nesting boxes on the floor (since chickens "in the wild" lay their eggs on the ground).

@mmsmith1777 5 жыл бұрын

Who knew the roost would also be perfect for giraffes? ❤

@Caroline-ez8ls 6 жыл бұрын

Awesome crew work guys!!!!

@107retired 6 жыл бұрын

We cut saplings....just like in nature, the chickens like a tree branch so, I provide natural for them.

@ThoughtProvokingVlogs 4 жыл бұрын

How long do they last? They don't break? 😮

@fragglefknrock7568 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThoughtProvokingVlogs if a branch from an oak tree is kept out of direct weather. The ground + rain. it will last a long time. i recommend cutting one green so it can naturally slowly air try instead of getting wet over n over again causing rot. which occurs fast from dead branches falling down. cut them fresh they will stay strong.

@ThoughtProvokingVlogs 4 жыл бұрын

@@fragglefknrock7568 First of all, love me some fraggle rock. Also thank you for the suggestion, I will try this out :)

@fragglefknrock7568 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThoughtProvokingVlogs hey no problem.

@perlgerl 2 жыл бұрын

I pick out ~2" diameter birch staves from when we cleared some land. I cut them to size for our modular coop. They are all 2' above the ground, with a single screw holding them at each end to a 2" x 4" that's part of the coop. My hens and Roo love them (though they also love setting on top of the coop when it's bedtime. I have 4 roosts: about 17 linear feet of roost for 13 hens + a large roo + plus now, an 18 week tiny pullet that got included accidentally in our meat bird order this year. (!)

@caroldorsett8170 6 жыл бұрын

Nice roosts! I used pallets for my roosts held up with 2x4s screwed to them then slide boot trays under to catch poop. I just empty the boot trays which means less complete coop cleaning for me. I remove every other board then sand the remaining ones smooth chickens seem to really like them as I also have a regular 2x4 roost and the all roost on the pallet roost.

@Azambie 2 жыл бұрын

could i get a visual of what your describing? i have a bunch of reclaimed pallets sitting around

@brendagratza6210 Жыл бұрын

I love to see this to

@kumara5492 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent video . Thanks for sharing tips

@kingsports8146 4 жыл бұрын

That as you called it 1 x 3 is accually a 2x3. As a rule dementia lumber is a 1/2" small then what you call it. I.e. a 2x4 accually measures (1-1/2"x3-1/2')

@tonygaines15 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍 That 1"x 3" thing was killing me😠

@candicechristensen1753 6 жыл бұрын

I'm so excited for the big news!

@cycletivity3584 6 жыл бұрын

Great info, a question I was asking. I like how the combination of scientific study + Homesteady reality = happy chickens, the perfect formula!

@Crazycatlady1836 6 жыл бұрын

Great information! Thank you!

@brokendad2222 4 жыл бұрын

A "furring strip 1.75x1.75" can be purchased at any hardware/lumber store and work great for roosts.

@colleenrodamer6230 6 жыл бұрын

Great information thanks for sharing

@dianecharles881 6 жыл бұрын

Good information , and really funny upsetting the chicken in the nest ! Lol

@nedraanderson2816 2 жыл бұрын

We use tree branches for our roost . They seem to like it and last longer too

@cstump2005 6 жыл бұрын

Dude. “Hot and fresh out the chicken”. Totally missed an opportunity there 😂😂😂

@darleneclark6098 4 жыл бұрын

That is hysterical. Best video ever

@avedafaye1366 6 жыл бұрын

Omg dude I cracked the frick up this whole video 💖 CHICKEN FINGERS

@heidigibbons1207 5 жыл бұрын

Thankyou so much for your help

@glenjewell185 4 жыл бұрын

thaks for the info about roost thanks

@janegarner1327 4 жыл бұрын

A 1 by 2 is 5/8 by 1 1/2, so he is actually using a 2 x 3.

@SwiftsScents 3 жыл бұрын

If you use the deep litter method, you will have to clean less often, will eliminate odors, and get some awesome compost!

@tddrivers Жыл бұрын

Where do the hens rest mostly, on the roost or in the nest? Theoretically the roost should be higher than the nests entrance. Correct or its not important? Thanks!

@fredflintstone1547 4 жыл бұрын

i like your nesting boxes too

@MatthewCKirschner 6 жыл бұрын

Great job kids!

@trueamerican1576 4 жыл бұрын

My understanding is 45° angle of boards vertically running into the ground. The first board 3 ft from the ground vertically then the rest of the boards one foot apart. This gives the angle you need for the feet and a tail Length space between chickens. As you explained the first board being 3 feet up makes it to where they fly to get to the first Roost so that they feel comfortable and safe

@samuelswisher3730 6 жыл бұрын

Good job I love ur video and I love chicken though u can use chicken in permaculture to turn ur compost will scratching

@pollyjetix2027 4 жыл бұрын

I skipped the metal brackets. Just screw a 2x4 scrap on each wall, and cut a 2x2 (actually 1-1/2 x 1-1/2) long enough to fit snugly from wall to wall, resting on each scrap. A screw down into that scrap holds it immovable. If you're worried about weight, put a floor-to-roost support in the center. It's not the Taj Mahal, but it's just chickens. And it'll last a lifetime.

@HansQuistorff 6 жыл бұрын

Can you believe that early in the 20th century could actually buy roost lumber? I find it around this farm. It was 1 5/8" X 3" square edges on the bottom and 1 5/8 radius on the top. Today you can make it with a router table and a rounding bit. Back then, they were building thousands of chicken houses like the one I have here in Western Washington.

@TheKristenGibson 6 жыл бұрын

Hans Quistorff that's pretty cool. I didn't know that.

@SupaXeph 6 жыл бұрын

Hello from Western Washington, neighbor!!

@josieheart1 4 жыл бұрын

I love this. How did you secure the roost to the brackets? Just that rope?

@cacadog67 5 жыл бұрын

Chicken Toes~!? Great job with the video. Well done, ThanQ.

@tinabattaglia-winspear1847 6 жыл бұрын

I'm with you... chicken tenders!!

@jkhenderson1 6 жыл бұрын

Loved the information! Thank you Austin. You just saved my chicken's feet! I had the perches the wrong way! Thank you!

@donaldmassaro7276 4 жыл бұрын

A 2 x 4 works perfect just playing down the rough edges

@jasond9327 6 жыл бұрын

All good on wearing safety goggles just put them in the correct position in future to protect your sight 😂👍🏻 nice vid though!

@mrs.garcia6978 6 жыл бұрын

Do you have a vid that shows how you range your flock/stock? It looks like you have a huge yard for everyone, but I think that may be wrong?

@jamiebell4111 3 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate this video in the scientific evidence thank you. I have a small 4 x 6 coop… How far away should the roost be from the coop wall?

@kevinpilkington6527 2 жыл бұрын

Bout 6 inches or a little more or less depending on how big or small yer chickens are

@rob1266 Жыл бұрын

I used banister stock for my roosts.

@ronaldschatte1383 Жыл бұрын

Aust! Great work here bud! I created a clip of what you said, magically exists as what I consider Chicken Raising Rule #2 from @2:13-2:20. Very eloquently stated sir!

@angtxsun4460 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you, I have mixed age chickens and they are unsettled and don’t seem to be resting well at night.

@erinashley1910 3 жыл бұрын

Also makes a WONDERFUL giraffe roost!

@paulscott1091 2 жыл бұрын

in forty yrs of keeping chickens i have never leveled a roost but we only have country chickens

@kevinpilkington6527 2 жыл бұрын

I just do it like the old folks.....the reason they did it the way they did is cause it works....yer roost is great....the old folks woulda put it about 4 ft off the ground so critters wouldnt eat em before they did....Many Blessings

@latishabrown6911 6 жыл бұрын

Oh GOSH YOU HAVE A BIG BRAHMA.👏👏👏😍

@jillysgoods675 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the great ideas. I have a question, I have a rooster that showed up a few years ago. He lives in my yard during the day and the tree at night. He was chased out of the tree a few weeks ago and ran off. Yesterday he returned but is looking for a safe place to roost. What do you suggest to create do give him a safe place to go at night? Lazy night he slept in a tree with very little branch support and no shelter. All our trees happen to be trimmed back as well. He is afraid to return to the tree he was chased out of and that is the only one we left untrimmed. So, thank you in advance for anyone with suggestions.

@hotdogfrenchfries5707 4 жыл бұрын

That is a strange situation, do you think some kind of oversized parrot perch would work out?

@christinamoneyhan5688 4 жыл бұрын

Those big fat washers are called fender washers.

@victorforte1605 6 жыл бұрын

i read somewhere for us that live in cold climate having a 2x4 flat side up so they can lay on there feet more with there bellys to keep there feet warmer so thats how mine are. what foot problems can occur you speak of? i want to make sure my girls are not hurting there feet.

@loganyoutube4818 5 жыл бұрын

If they want their toes to curl they will just sit forward on the board more and let them curl and if they get cold they will back up and lay on them

@fragglefknrock7568 4 жыл бұрын

they have a back toe that can be strained if its not over the back of the board. this is not a good thing to do.

@thebestmooncookie9179 4 жыл бұрын

Victor Forte did he answer the question

@gerrymatheson4020 3 жыл бұрын

Research has shown that for regular sized chickens the ideal width is between 2" and 2.5" (real measurement) with the top edges/corners rounded off or slightly beveled (~1.5" for bantam breeds). You don't want their toes to have to try to wrap clear around but you don't want them totally flat like on a 2x4 on flat. Lumber is always smaller than its nominal dimensions... a 2x4 is actually ~1.5" x3.5" . A 2x3 is just about right for roosts (1.5" x 2.5" real measurement).

@ede2225 5 жыл бұрын

I'd put the laying boxes below the roosts--maybe a ft. from the ground. That way, they don't sleep in them and cause mess. Not under the roosts of course....

@FlyOverZone Жыл бұрын

Brilliant! I see the latter Roost all the time, they are a horrible design for chickens. I get it, the latter design is a literal ladder that the chickens can climb like a staircase to the highest perch, and then they all squeeze on that highest perch. It's best to have the roost all on the same level and create a ladder for them to get to that Roost if necessary.

@majorvictory3231 6 жыл бұрын

Great! Now I want chicken fingers!

@christirh3760 4 жыл бұрын

I’m a first time chicken mama to two 4 month old Bantam Cochin Frizzles. Their feet are smaller so a 1x1 maybe???

@littlebrookreader949 3 жыл бұрын

How do you keep your roost bar clean?

@imaslowlerner 5 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy to see young families having children.

@juliejenkins3572 6 ай бұрын

What about a finish on the roost for easiest cleaning?

@timpedzinski230 6 жыл бұрын

I see you are not a wood worker. The "1x2" you are as you called it is actually a 2x3. You loose about a 1/4 inch on each side when it is planed. Giving you 1 1/2 x 2 1/2.

@canelohillshomebrewery4328 5 жыл бұрын

Took the words right out of my mouth

@Bart-Did-it 4 жыл бұрын

Tim Pedzinski in the U.K. it’s 3x2 planed and 3x2 rough sawn 😉. Love the stuff that and 4x2 anything over that then it sucks try 12x6x3m oak carry and work with that all day aaarrrgh 🥵 work.

@jillysgoods675 4 жыл бұрын

Harsh crowd

@josieheart1 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, very helpful.

@hillbillyheadcam1729 2 жыл бұрын

Keep your rude comments to yourself buddy. Not everyone is a wood worker, and a lot who think they are just be hack butcher carpenters.

@jkellyid Жыл бұрын

ok real question, how high is too high. My birds started flying up into my cupola. That's a fairly drafty 8-10 ft off the ground.

@Lori-mm6fg 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Austin, You tube unsubscribed me from your channel, I have missed you lately, Now I know why ! Do your chickens stand in front of the nest box at night? mine do and poo in the nests real pain!!!

@trenchantsometimes5149 2 жыл бұрын

They always roosted in trees and tree branches are round. They choose which branches fit their feet.

@loue6563 4 жыл бұрын

glad to see you wearing a mask to clean. As a child I got hytoplasmosis from cleaning out the bird house, Don't know if it was the chickens or the pigeons that also desided to make the nest in the hen house. Its a fungus you get in your lungs from breathing it in from bird dropings. Really not fun for a kid who loved to run. I would get out of breath just barely walking.

@dosdoggies 6 жыл бұрын

That's a 2x3, Aust, not a 1x2.

@Homesteadyshow 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks, my mistake! Hopefully the dimensions will be enough for other 😆

@gerrymatheson4020 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, it's called a 2x3 but the actual dimensions are approximately 1.5 x 2.5... just like a 2x4 is actually about 1.5 x 3.5 in real measurements... Planed and kiln dried lumber is always a bit smaller in dimension than its "nominal" dimensions...

@anhtung54321 5 жыл бұрын

and make sure the pointed screws r not too long poke thru the other side

@jarrett8071 4 жыл бұрын

Nest boxes above roost ? Interesting Bill Nye.

@ManuelHernandez-xt8pr 4 жыл бұрын

I was wondering where the blues clues guy went!!!

@jaytibbles2223 6 жыл бұрын

YOU HAD a 2x3 - Home Depot has them.

@fredwood1490 Жыл бұрын

That's called a 2x3, not a 1x2. Rounding off the edges looks like a good idea though.

@kjames106 5 жыл бұрын

Did you drill the brackets into studs?

@fragglefknrock7568 4 жыл бұрын

it looks like he drilled in between the main studs that would line up with the roof pitch.. just rememeber he called a 2x3 a 1x2 soo... yeah

@pattikemp-gettmann9646 Жыл бұрын

Nesting boxes should be lower than roosts

@terrywereb7639 2 жыл бұрын

The roost needs to be far enough away from the wall or other roosts to give birds enough space to avoid crowding up against wall or other birds. After all, would you want to sleep with your tail in a bunch?

@wolfboysadventures1039 Жыл бұрын

Him: big heavy birds What he’s talking about: laying hens

@natuko205 3 жыл бұрын

what is the chicken breed called for the chicken at 9:38 ??

@robertgoyak2538 Жыл бұрын

Doesn't the nesting boxes have to be below the roost

@MsGreenInspector 3 жыл бұрын

That's a 2x3, which is nominally 1.5x2.5 inches

@ronallens6204 4 жыл бұрын

Have you noticed they jockey for the window ?

@williamwake1354 4 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a 2x3 stud

@grannypantsification 3 жыл бұрын

If you have your nests higher than your roosts the chickens will sleep (and poop) in their nests. If you can find a straight tree limb, the chickens prefer it.

@MrAviator27365 2 жыл бұрын

2x3

@MsGaella 8 ай бұрын

Not talons -those are raptors. Chickens have claws.

@dalenehoman5733 5 жыл бұрын

I love the grey and white chicken,,,is that a certain breed❤️

@fragglefknrock7568 4 жыл бұрын

thats a 2x3 not a 1x2 .. if it were a 1x2 it would be 5/8 x 1-5/8 lol so that being 2.5 inches wide it would be a 2x3 still they always make them slightly smaller.

@thebovineavenger 6 жыл бұрын

Ignore my update question on your 3 dollar box video.

@ciprianlaszlo8416 6 жыл бұрын

My chickens Fly down from 2 meters high and they are ok.

@gerrymatheson4020 3 жыл бұрын

Depends on the breed. Some have lighter bodies and stronger wings. Typical dual purpose breeds are a bit heavy compared to their wing size/strength, especially the larger ones like Jersey Giants and Brahmas...

@graystonegardens1642 3 жыл бұрын

All our birds crowd together on the one roost leaving a ton of extra room on the other roosts. So that 10"+ thing is bullshit.

@samsdaughterdehaven9990 4 жыл бұрын

chickens prefer 2-2.5 inches per a UK study, and any chicken raising facility is required to provide roosting for all chickens....NO CAGE chickens with proper place to sleep. They are ahead of us overthere.

@viniglass 3 жыл бұрын

that's not a 1x 2 that's the dimensions of a finish cut 2 x 3.

@suekane9090 4 жыл бұрын

We use 2x4's and the chickens just move to the edge to roost.

@DaybirdAviaries 6 жыл бұрын

You need more and bigger permanent buildings.

@fragglefknrock7568 4 жыл бұрын

those buldings are pretty permanent. you should see what i use. bamboo roofed railed staked into the ground coop+runs and A-frames made from 1x3's . yes 1x3's lol not even good ones either press board ones.. but hey if its pained with cheap exterior paint with at least 2 covers it will last.