We are getting back into chickens after 15 years without them and I'm finding that I've forgotten a lot of stuff. How far off the ground should the roost bar be. I seem to remember that my dad used to tell us that they all should be the same height so that no one fought over position and that we should have 1 foot of bar for each hen. Am I remembering right or......
Thanks for you guys' help,
Kathy
Roosting bars
I think you're right so far; as to height, I don't think it is critical as long as they are able to either fly or climb up to them.
The height does vary by breed--really heavy birds like Jersey Giants and Brahmas cannot go very high and can hurt themselves jumping down, and Silkies cannot roost at all, except on a board they can jump up on.
Also, while my bantams will fly to very high roosts, the standard birds have to work their way up using whatever is available to make it up to where the bantams are...they will fly up to a low ladder, then to a ledge, then to the roost. Everyone does seem to want to be as high as possible.
That depends on how much they are planning on drinking. Will they have a designated flier?
Ginger
Did I reveal too much....?
I better warn you.. It's the drunk ones that crow at 3AM.
Ginger
Everyone keeps saying Silkies won't roost. But my little bantam silkie likes to be halfway up to the top of the roost. Currently she's broody & sitting on eggs but when she's not she's a good 4 ft off the floor.