Lucas Delgado
Chicken coops require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep your chickens healthy. One way to simplify cleaning and reduce the time spent on it is to install a dropping board under the roosting bars to catch chicken droppings. This is especially useful at night when chickens tend to poop a lot while sleeping. Dropping boards can be made from various materials, such as plywood, plastic, or repurposed surfaces, and can be designed to fit the setup of your chicken coop. Building your own chicken roost with a dropping board is a beginner-friendly project that can be done with basic tools and leftover materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To keep the chicken coop clean and catch chicken droppings |
| Installation | The board should be positioned approximately 8 inches below the roosting bars and extend at least 6-8 inches on either side of the roost |
| Materials | Plywood, plastic, repurposed surfaces, metal, wood, ceramic tiles, beach sand, PDZ, sawdust, vinyl, pine shavings |
| Ease of Cleaning | Easy to clean and remove from the coop |
| Maintenance | Requires regular cleaning and maintenance |
| Cost | Dependent on materials used |
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What You'll Learn
Ladder roosts with a dropping board
Ladder roosts are a common style for chicken roosts, with the roosting bars or rungs of the ladder getting gradually higher. The lowest roosting bar should be at least 12" off the ground, but 18-24" is recommended. The horizontal spacing between each roosting bar should be 12-18" apart.
To build ladder roosts with a dropping board, you will need to first measure the space under the roosting bars to ensure the board fits comfortably. The board should be installed about 8 inches below the lowest roost and extend all the way back beneath the highest roost on the ladder. It should also extend at least 6-8 inches on either side of the roosts to catch the nightly droppings.
The dropping board can be made from various materials such as plywood, plastic, or repurposed surfaces. You can also use old plastic storage trays, baking sheets, or metal sheets installed on a shelf under the roosts and filled with a shallow layer of litter for easy chicken poop removal.
For the ladder roost, you will need five 8' spare 2x4s. Cut the wood into five 5' long pieces. You will also need two 18" pieces and two 12" pieces. The 18" pieces will serve as the legs of the roost, allowing the bottom roosting bar to sit 18" off the ground. The 12" pieces will be the standoffs at the top of the roost that lean against the wall of your coop, providing 12" of clearance. Select two 5' boards as your vertical rails of the ladder. On the first rail, use a speed square to trace three 45-degree lines (top, middle, bottom) all facing the same direction.
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Dropping board materials
Dropping boards can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, plastic, and repurposed surfaces. The choice of material depends on your budget and needs. Here are some common options:
Wood
Wood is an affordable and easy-to-work-with option for creating dropping boards. You can use plywood as the base and scrap pieces of wood to create a tray that catches the droppings. However, wood may require more maintenance over time.
Plastic
Plastic is a durable and easy-to-clean option, but it can be more expensive. You can repurpose old plastic storage trays, baking sheets, or rabbit cage trays to create a budget-friendly plastic dropping board.
Repurposed Surfaces
Repurposed surfaces, such as old trays or metal sheets, offer a cost-effective solution. Metal sheets, in particular, provide a durable and easy-to-clean surface similar to plastic trays.
Tiled Boards
For a smooth and washable surface, you can consider using ceramic tiles. This option may be more suitable if you want to reduce the time spent on cleaning.
No matter which material you choose, the dropping board should be positioned approximately 8 inches below the roosting bars to effectively catch the waste without interfering with the chickens' space. It should also extend at least 6-8 inches on either side of the roost to catch all the nightly droppings.
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Positioning the dropping board
Firstly, it is recommended to position the dropping board approximately 8 inches below the roosting bars. This distance allows for the optimal capture of waste without encroaching on the chickens' space. It also makes cleaning the dropping board more accessible, as it creates some separation between the roosting area and the droppings board.
For ladder roosts, ensure that the dropping board extends from the wall and is placed below the lowest roost. It should extend all the way back beneath the highest roost on the ladder. This setup will enable the board to catch droppings from all levels of the ladder roost.
The dropping board should also extend beyond the sides of the roost. It is recommended to have at least 6-8 inches of extension on either side of the roost. This extension ensures that any droppings that may fall outside the immediate area of the roost are captured, maximising the effectiveness of the dropping board.
When positioning the dropping board, consider the overall space within the chicken coop. Ensure that the dropping board does not hinder the chickens' movement or create an uncomfortable environment. The dropping board should be easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance without causing any inconvenience to the chickens.
The type of materials used for the dropping board can also influence its positioning. For example, if you opt for a shallow wooden box or a tiled board, you may want to place it in a spot that allows for easy removal and cleaning. On the other hand, if you use a metal sheet or repurposed plastic tray, you can install them more permanently beneath the roosts.
Lastly, consider the pitch of the dropping board. A slight angle can help shed water and keep the droppings board clean. However, ensure that the angle is not too steep, as you want to avoid creating a slippery surface for the chickens to navigate. A light layer of sawdust or sand on the dropping board can also help absorb droppings and reduce odours.
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Chicken roost designs
Chicken roosts are an important part of any chicken coop. Chickens naturally prefer to face open areas when they roost and like to be higher up for safety. There are various designs for chicken roosts, and they can be made from different materials.
Ladder Roosts
A ladder roost is a simple design that can accommodate several hens. It can be built using spare 2x4s, with the vertical rails or legs cut to 5 feet long. The legs should be 18 inches long, allowing the bottom roosting bar to sit 18 inches off the ground. The standoffs at the top of the roost should be 12 inches long, providing clearance from the wall of the coop. The rungs should be at least 2 inches wide, but 4 inches is better to allow chickens to sleep flat-footed. If space is limited, a step ladder can also be used as a roost, as long as it is secure and there is no risk of it toppling over.
Tree Branch Ladder Roost
A tree branch ladder roost is another option, using natural branches as the rungs. When selecting branches, ensure they are smooth, without sharp corners or protruding knots, and sturdy enough to support the chickens' weight.
Freestanding Roost
A freestanding roost can be created by adding legs to each corner of a ladder roost or building an A-frame structure. This design is suitable for larger flocks that need more space inside the coop.
Dropping Boards
To keep the coop clean, dropping boards can be installed about 8 inches below the roosting bars to catch chicken droppings. They can be made from plywood, plastic, or repurposed surfaces, and should extend at least 6-8 inches on either side of the roost. Shallow wooden boxes or trays can also be used, filled with a shallow layer of litter for easy waste removal.
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Chicken roost bar width
When building chicken roosts, it is important to consider the width of the roosting bars. The guideline most authorities and keepers follow is to use flat, smooth wood about 5 cm (2 inches) wide, possibly narrower for small bantams, with chamfered or rounded edges. This width is based on the understanding that chickens primarily sleep flat-footed, with their toes curled around the front edge of the perch.
Some sources recommend a width of 4 inches, while others suggest measuring the birds' feet and adjusting the width of the bar to match. It is worth noting that using pipes or natural branches of this width may strain the birds' feet. Additionally, wider boards can help protect chickens' feet from frostbite and predators like mice or rats.
When installing multiple roosting bars, stagger them to prevent chickens from jumping directly down from higher perches, as this can cause bumblefoot, a staph infection of the foot and leg. It is also important to place the roosting bars higher than any nest boxes, as chickens naturally roost high, and providing bars at varying heights will allow them to choose their preferred perch.
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Frequently asked questions
A chicken roost is a place for chickens to perch or roost inside their coop.
Chickens poop a lot during the night when they sleep. A dropping board is installed underneath the roosting bars to catch chicken droppings, making it easier to clean the coop.
You can use scrap or repurposed materials to build a chicken roost. Make sure your wood is smooth and splinter-free to reduce the risk of infections. You can also use metal or plastic, but these materials have their drawbacks. For the dropping board, you can use plywood, plastic, or repurposed surfaces.
First, measure the space under the roosting bars to ensure the dropping board fits comfortably. The board should be installed about 8 inches below the roosts and extend at least 6-8 inches on either side. Next, build your chicken roost using the materials mentioned above. You can refer to online guides for step-by-step instructions on building different types of chicken roosts, such as ladder roosts.
