Comments on: “Backyard Chicken Coop”, Roosting Bar & Manure Box

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:38:42 +0000

Sandra, chickens like to perch up off of the ground at night in their chicken coop. They feel safer. For their safety, I would not leave them out to perch at night, because of predators. My hens have never roosted up in trees when I let them out of their coop in my garden. So I would say, no, you do not need to provide an outside roost. They much prefer to make mud baths in the dirt. If you are worried about heat in the summer, make sure you can open up some windows, or some sort of opening for air circulation but not draft, (reinforced with metal bars and at least 1/4″ wire mesh, to keep predators from trying to get into your chicken coop.Thanks for sharing….VintageGardenGal

By: Sandra Hansen

Sandra Hansen — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:29:49 +0000

Hi. My chicks are 8 weeks old. I sanded down a lilac branch for a roost in their hen house, and they have been using it like smart little chicks from when they were 5 weeks. My question is however, do chickens need or like a perch to sit on in the outside chicken coop area? I lock them up in the hen house at night. The only thing I can think of is when it get’s in the 90′s that they actually may perfer to sleep outside. Thank you!

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:58:29 +0000

Shari,
Yes, give your hens some time when they are just beginning to lay. Hen production over their lifetime generally lay in a bell curve. Egg production varies a bit from breed to breed. Young hens should give you just about an egg a day for the first couple of years. Yes, you definitely want to provide a safe, clean, quiet spot for them to lay their eggs. Otherwise they will lay everywhere, and you will not see them. Thanks for sharing…VintageGardenGal

By: shari

shari — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:53:32 +0000

hi my hubby and i have had our chickens for almost 6 months and we just had our first egg however its been at least 2 days since her first egg…is this normal? we have them in a coop with a perch but no nests…should we make her a nest to lay in? what are your thoughts? thanks!

By: Fay

Fay — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:07:09 +0000

Thank you for the reply. This is our first time with chickens. Our chicks are 3 and 4 weeks old (2 different groups). We wanted 5 of each kind, but could only buy in groups of 25. (so had 50 chicks) gave away 20 silkies-but no one wanted any of the leghorns, so we have a lot more chicks (30 not 10) than we planned for. Their yard is large, with both trees for shade and grassy sunny areas, but the coop is only 8′ x 10′ and 9′ high. Is this too small for the number of chickens? We made it with 2 roosts, but may have room for a 3rd. We may take some of the chicks to the local farm auction, but I am getting attached to them. It will be hard to give them up –especially the 5 I named (they always run up to greet me,fly to my hand- flying already!). They are a lot smarter, and have more personality than I ever imagined. This is an adventure.

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:07:48 +0000

Fay, the screen somewhat catches the manure, so you can skim it off. Some manure will fall through the wire and in the manure box, too. Also, the screen keeps your chickens from walking in their manure constantly and making a mess. Just lift the screen lid, and scoop manure and bedding. Yes, you compost with your bedding, too, whether it is straw, pine shavings, etc. Good luck…VintageGardenGal

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:02:10 +0000

Carolyn, let her sleep where she likes. She is young yet. I agree, you don’t want to block off the nesting boxes. Thanks for your comment…VintageGardenGal

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:25:34 +0000

Hi Bonnie,
We have three 26 week old chickens, two faverolles and a black australorp. The faverolles are happy to sleep on the roost we have made, but the australorp keeps sleeping in the nest, no matter what we do. I dont think she is cold, because she has done this all through summer as well. We have tried blocking off the nest, but we don’t want to do this too much in case they decide to start laying! Do you have any suggestions to get her on the perch?

By: Fay

Fay — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:45:37 +0000

I am not quite sure how the manure box works.What does the screen do? can’t you just have a box to catch the manure? when you move the manure to the compost bin does the bedding compost too? You said:” I skim the screen and bedding with manure from the box, and take it to my nearby compost pile…” I am not sure what you mean by skim the screen? We are new to chickens and need ideas that helps keep the coop clean. Your site is very helpful.

By: Bonnie Manion

Bonnie Manion — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:07:22 +0000

Kerry, it depends on your coop space and arrangement. I believe mine is at least 2 feet off of the coop floor. Thanks for your comment…VintageGardenGal