Building A Roost Inside Your Chicken Run: A Step-By-Step Guide

A chicken roost is an elevated bar, branch, or plank on which chickens sleep. Roosts are an important part of a chicken coop, and they can be built cheaply and easily using scrap materials. When building a chicken roost, it is important to consider the size of your flock, the space available in your coop, and the comfort and safety of your chickens. This text will provide an introduction to the topic of building a chicken roost inside a run, covering the benefits of providing a roost for your chickens, design considerations, and step-by-step instructions for construction.

Use wood, not metal or plastic

When building a roost inside a chicken run, it is important to use the right materials. Wood is the ideal choice for a chicken roost, as metal and plastic can be harmful to chickens in several ways.

Firstly, metal and plastic are slippery materials, which can be hard on chickens' feet, especially in extreme temperatures. Metal gets too cold and can increase the chances of frostbite and other foot ailments. Plastic, meanwhile, is often slick, making it difficult for chickens to manoeuvre. This can lead to bumblefoot or other infections due to lesions that develop on chickens' feet as they struggle to stay on unsteady perches.

Secondly, metal and plastic retain the cold and may cause frostbite, especially in the winter months. This can be harmful to chickens. Wood, on the other hand, is durable and has a comfortable grip. Natural woods like pine or cedar are ideal, as they are durable and have a comfortable grip. Smooth, rounded wooden bars are best as they are gentle on chickens' feet and easy to grip.

When selecting wood, ensure it is untreated to avoid any harmful chemicals. It should also be smooth and splinter-free to reduce the chances of infections. Ease any sharp edges with a router, planer, or sandpaper.

Place 18 inches or higher from the ground

When building a roost inside a chicken run, it is important to place it 18 inches or higher from the ground. This is because chickens instinctively seek high roosts to avoid predators. In the wild, chickens may perch 40 feet or higher in treetops to feel safe.

When building a roost, it is also important to consider the space inside your coop. You can make your roosts at any height, but if you choose to do a higher roost, you will want to give your chickens easy access up and down. For example, you could build a ladder for your chickens to use to get up to the roost.

The ladder style chicken roost is a popular design that is easy to build and will hold quite a few chickens. It is important to leave enough space between the rungs for the chickens to sit comfortably, with 1-2 feet between each rung. You can use screws, rope, or zip ties to connect the rungs to the rails.

When selecting materials for your chicken roost, it is best to stick with wood. Metal gets too cold, which can increase the chances of frostbite and other foot ailments. Plastic is often slippery, making it difficult for chickens to manoeuvre. Wood is also a good option because it is usually easy to find scrap or repurposed wood to use, making this project very affordable.

Allow 10 inches of roosting space per chicken

When building a chicken roost, it is important to allow for approximately 10 inches of roosting space per chicken. This measurement is the recommended width along the roost for each bird. While the more space-conscious design suggests a vertical arrangement of roosts, it is still recommended to maintain 12"-15" of vertical space between roost bars.

The roosting bar should be placed at least 18 inches from the ground and away from the chicken's access to food and water. It is also recommended to keep the roost away from laying boxes. The bar should be stable and easy to clean, with a diameter of 2"-5".

When determining the amount of space to allocate per chicken, the size of the birds should be considered. For lighter breeds, such as the White Leghorn, or for bantams, the required space may be scaled down. Additionally, chickens will instinctively seek high roosts to avoid predators, so the top roost should not be placed too close to the ceiling.

It is worth noting that chickens will naturally perch close together for stability and warmth, so the available space may be utilised efficiently.

Keep the roost away from food and water

When building a roost inside a chicken run, it is important to keep the roost away from food and water sources. This is because chickens tend to defecate while they sleep, and keeping the roost away from food and water helps to maintain hygiene and reduce health risks.

The ideal placement for the roost is in a well-ventilated area that is unoccupied by other coop functions. By situating the roost away from the food and water sources, you can minimise the risk of contamination and make cleaning more manageable. It is recommended to have adequate space within the coop to allow for this separation.

Additionally, when determining the location of the roost, consider the height. Chickens instinctively seek high roosts to avoid predators, so placing the roost higher off the ground, preferably eighteen inches or more, can help encourage this natural behaviour. However, if the roost is higher than two feet, consider staggering multiple roosts at varying heights to prevent injuries from hard landings.

The material used for the roosting bars is also important. Wood is generally recommended as it provides a good grip for chickens and is less likely to cause frostbite compared to metal or plastic. When using wood, ensure it is smooth, splinter-free, and free from sharp edges to reduce the chances of infections like Bumblefoot.

By following these guidelines and keeping the roost away from food and water, you can provide a healthier and more comfortable environment for your chickens.

Make it walk-in for easy cleaning

A chicken run is a fenced area attached to a chicken coop, where chickens can roam around freely while feeling safe from predators. A chicken roost is an elevated bar, branch, or plank on which chickens sleep.

When building a chicken roost inside a chicken run, it is important to consider making it walk-in for easy cleaning. This means that the chicken run should have a wide door or double doors that allow for easy access for cleaning and maintenance. Here are some tips to make your chicken roost walk-in for easy cleaning:

• Plan the location of the roost within the chicken run: Choose an area that is easily accessible and provides enough space to accommodate the roost and allow for easy cleaning. Consider placing the roost in a corner of the run to maximize space.
• Ensure adequate height: The chicken roost should be placed at a comfortable height, typically 18 inches or higher from the ground. This height allows for easy access for cleaning and maintenance while also providing a safe and comfortable sleeping spot for the chickens.
• Use smooth and splinter-free materials: Opt for smooth tree branches or sturdy pieces of wood that are free of sharp corners or protruding knots. Sand or plane the wood to ensure a smooth surface, reducing the risk of injuries and infections for the chickens.
• Consider the bar length and spacing: Plan for approximately 8 to 10 inches of bar space per chicken, with at least 12 horizontal inches between each roost. This spacing helps to prevent soiling issues and ensures that waste does not drop onto each other.
• Keep the roost away from food and water: Chickens tend to poop while they sleep, so it is important to keep the roost away from their food and water sources. Place the roost in an unoccupied area of the run to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
• Make it movable: If possible, design the roost to be easily movable so that you can clean underneath it regularly. This will help maintain a sanitary environment for your chickens.
• Ventilation and drainage: Ensure that the chicken run is well-ventilated to prevent humidity and ammonia buildup, which can be harmful to the chickens. Consider adding a concrete floor with proper drainage to make cleaning more manageable.

By following these tips, you can create a walk-in chicken roost inside your chicken run that is easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance while providing a comfortable and safe space for your chickens.

Frequently asked questions