Chicken Roosting Bars DIY - Full Construction Details

We've been asked a bunch of questions regarding the construction of our roosting bars. This video should walk you through all the details to construct a sturdy set of roosting bars that are perfect for cold weather.
Items needed for construction: Nine 8-foot 2x4's, 3" screws and three simple door hinges.
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[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I hope this helps others who are looking to build a STRONG roosting area. This set-up has worked flawless for us for years! Let us know what questions you may have.

[@StoicRipple]

Thanks for showing the hinges. I’ll be building something like this.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

This design really works well. The hens love it and we love it (for cleaning, ease of building, etc.). Cheers!

[@mattsara2802]

That is a slick roosting bar. I like the hinge idea.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The hinge is key. I am not going to crawl under it to clean the area. Yuck! Pick it up and prop it up with a 2x4. Simple!

[@rhondakeller2592]

Perfect. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Looks like you found all the details. If you need any additional help, let me know. Cheers!

[@twohomesteads6512]

I built this on my new homestead,. Have brought the birds back to the first homestead so will be building one here also. This works beautifully !

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It really is a great design. Simple to build and the hens love it! I'm glad it's working for you! Good luck with the two homesteads! Happy New Year!

[@IAMGONE2DOGS]

Thank you so much for this video and instructions; I've made 2 so far for my girls!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

If your hens are like ours, they will love these roosting bars! It's a perfect place to sleep! Cheers!

[@AnglesideFarm]

I like the way you did this!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It made sense in my mind. Hopefully it is practical and easy for others to duplicate. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

looks well made and the birds like it.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Our girls love them. Simple construction and they get used every night!

[@pinkskitchen]

This bar looks amazing and comfortable for the chickens. TFS. Stay connected 🙂

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They sure seem to be comfortable every night. Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers Pink!

[@Pennies_on_the_dollar]

That is an genius idea!! Very simple but works perfect!! Thank you bringing us along!!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

More common sense than genius. Simple and easy. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Pennies_on_the_dollar]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm 😁😁👌👌

[@amithepolischdog]

Nice job ! greetings from Poland!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Love from Minnesota to Poland!

[@lostmarblesfarm]

Your girls crack me up! Lol. So beautiful and fluffy too. I love chickens. They’re happy chickens!

[@lostmarblesfarm]

Also, I LOVE the hinges!!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

@@lostmarblesfarm It really helps!!

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The girls always (or most always) bring a smile to our faces. They really are beautiful girls! Cheers!

[@janie2shoes537]

Great job, I have never seen one like that.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching. If you're in a cold weather area, this is the way to go, in my opinion. Cheers Janie!

[@vongtaynhanaikptt6066]

enjoy your day my friend thanks for sharing

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting! We're sure enjoying our day!!

[@lifewithmisty1]

What a great idea!🙏❤👍😊

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I hope you'll join us again! Cheers!

[@larryschmitt2513]

Thanks for showing

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They really work well. If you have any questions, or if we can help, let us know. Have a great weekend!

[@Damselfly54315]

Thank you, just what I wanted to know on the liftability of the whole works for cleaning.. Thanks Rich

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

It is so simple to lift and clean under. It only weighs 20 pounds (a guess) and easy to lift with the hinges. Let me know if you have other questions. Cheers Judi!

[@Damselfly54315]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm Thanks, I know how to build a rooster but wasn't sure on the hinges you used, THAT was my objective, I want clean coop and birds, so cleaning ease is where its at for me...gave a great weekend, got snow? we have rain but have some mix coming in this eve and night...ick, SO ready for spring! lol thanks for the video, keep prepping, keep safe😊👍🏻

[@twohomesteads6512]

I've been looking through videos to what I liked before building a roost for my hens. My well went out and I moved all my animals up to the second homestead and I have been scrambling to get everyone housed. Didn't know if I needed the 2x4 roosts with the skinny side up. While I am where it rarely freezes it gets very cold here with the damp and the wind. Your roost explanation made so much sense. Thank you for filming this. It looked like the top where the hinges were attached wasn't cut at an angle. Did I see correctly ? Couldn't tell on the bottom If you cut an angle on the vertical boards ., Oh $9000 later I have water again at the first homestead.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I didn't make any cuts on the boards that went vertical or horizontal. The only thing I cut were the small pieces to mount the horizontal boards. The hinges work great and keep the boards away from the walls. Hope that explains it. Cheers!

[@jeremytrimmer9966]

Love the design. I'm wondering if you can tell me how far into the coop it extends from the back wall?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The bottom of the supports are almost six feet from the wall. Hope that helps. Let me know if you've got any other questions. Cheers!

[@J4Julz]

@TheOldSwedesFarm Hey, I love your roost design! Could you tell me the spacing between the bars horizontally? you know, so one hens tail is not over another's, in case they aren't all facing forward? Or would you say they all tend to face the same direction? Eight years and my hens seem to roost in both directions, but they are on the same level, not on a diagonal. Thanks a bunch for any added info

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The bars are 20 inches up the support from each other. They should not drop on each other. Our hens face front & back but this keeps them from dropping on each other. You can make the supports for the roosting bars and then screw them in with 20" spacing (bottom of support to bottom). Hope this makes sense. Let me know if you need more help.

[@eddiesanmarcosr8301]

I have 2 smaller silkies that as you know don’t fly. They have had a problem getting up on roosting bars. Currently i have a ramp system i suppose i could keep using. Anyway the 20” I’m wondering of that might be too far apart for the littles. Thoughts? I have approx 6’x12’ coop area with large ventilation windows.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I would think that the smallest hens should be able to use this system. I have three week old chicks who are going up & down this ladder with no problems. If you shorten the height of the bars, you risk having the hens poop on each other.

[@robd4914]

I also built a ramp for now. But I'm changing my overall design. One 4ft roost bar for the (4) hens 24" high. Then a 18" long roost bar for the (2) silkies that is only 6" off the floor. For the most part, the silkies huddle together in one of the (3) nesting boxes.

[@EliHeffernan-jv1jp]

One of my hens flies up onto the roof ( its about 1-3 meteres ) and she sleeps there which I am trying to get her to stop since its dangerous and she is vulnerable.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

They definitely have a mind of their own and go where they want. It is amazing where they want to roost! We have a video about clipping wings that might help. Hope you find a solution for your hen! Cheers!

[@ethorn62]

What is the height of the highest top rail or platform? Thanks

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The top roost is at 68" an the entire roost attaches to the side of the barn at 69". I hope this helps.

[@IAMGONE2DOGS]

How far apart are the steps please.

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

As you measure up the vertical 2x4's, the horizontal roosting bars are spaced 20" apart. I hope this helps!

[@IAMGONE2DOGS]

Thank you very much!@@TheOldSwedesFarm

[@lisasportsman3707]

How far out from the wall is the top roost board please?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The back of the top roost is seven inches from the wall. Hope this helps. Let me know how else I can help you. Cheers!

[@lisasportsman3707]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm thank you so much!

[@rafaelfamilia1004]

Would you recommend this type of roosting bars for a ky weather we had a bad winter -20 for a couple of days not the normal . But it will get in the teens

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

The bars are perfect for cold weather. This helps our hens stay warm to -30f here in Minnesota. Your hens will love it in warm weather and in cold weather. Let me know if you have any questions.

[@tonij9089]

How would you suggest connecting this to a chain link dog pen..?..

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I put hinges on the top to connect to our wooden supports. You could screw in hooks and hook it on the fence.

[@MidwestHomestead23]

How far apart are the roost bars?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

20 inches apart going up the three supports. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. Take care!

[@MidwestHomestead23]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm thank you

[@summernoble7291]

Is there a specific size and/kind of hinges?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I bought hinges that would fit perfectly to the end of a 2x4. If you match that, you'll be good. It doesn't need to be exact. Let me know how else I can help!

[@porkdumpster3110]

I’ve got 12 hens growing up. How many bars and at what length would you suggest? I have about 10 feet to work with. (Ohio if it matters)

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

I would make it exactly how I did. You may add more later so it's better to have too much versus not enough. The eight-foot lengths were chosen so I wouldn't have to cut the main lengths. I'm keeping it simple. Ten hens will fill up two bars for sure and the other bars will help them get up to the higher levels. Let me know what you choose!

[@porkdumpster3110]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm thank you! I’m gonna go with 8 feet because I’ll have to trim mine down a little. Planning on doing it same as yours. Thank you!

[@dougroberts3643]

@@TheOldSwedesFarm This answered my question as well. I will definitely lay my boards flat and I believe the Jersey Giants will appreciate the lower bars to help them get up higher if they choose to do so. Thanks for the video

[@adaml262]

What breed are those blue chickens?

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Hi Adam - The bluer bird, sitting on the roost, is a Sapphire Gem. We'll have a full Breed Overview on the Gems very soon. Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers!