Chicken coop roosts: are your chickens getting the best rest?

How to create roosts which give your flock a good night's sleep, help avoid illness, prevent frostbite and deter pecking order problems.

If you've ever found yourself wondering whether your chickens are really comfortable at night, you're not alone.

All about chicken roosts - Pin for later.

Roosts are one of the most talked about, and most misunderstood, parts of a chicken coop.

There's no shortage of information online, much of it contradictory: round vs flat, high or low, wood or something else.

What we do have to help us provide only the best is a large body of well-established research into how chickens naturally roost, what their bodies are designed to do, and what helps them best to rest comfortably and stay safe and healthy.

In this article I'll use that evidence⁽¹⁾ together with my own experience to explain what makes a good roost, why it matters, and how small design choices can affect everything from bone strength to winter comfort.

So that at the end, you'll be able to choose the best option for your flock, in your own circumstances.

🪶 Featherlight Takeaways.

Quick insights from this article – especially helpful if you're reviewing or adjusting roosts for your flock.

Roosts are a basic welfare need, not an optional extra
The right roost design supports bone health, comfort, and calm behaviour
Chickens grip with their toes, not their whole foot, so shape and width matter
Poorly designed roosts can contribute to injury, illness, and stress
Small changes to roost size, height, or placement can make a big difference.

🛖 What Makes the Perfect Chicken House?

What is a roost, and is it really necessary to provide one?

A roost is simply a place where chickens can rest safely both during the day, and more commonly at night when they return to the coop to sleep.

Providing a roost isn't optional. It's a recognised welfare need for all birds, and chickens are no exception. That's why, in Europe, it has been illegal since 1999 to keep chickens, including those in commercial systems, without perches.

This requirement is based on the "Five Freedoms", which underpin global animal welfare standards. Roosts fall under the freedom that states animals should be: "free from thermal and physical discomfort by providing suitable shelter and a comfortable resting area."

Give your chickens a comfortable place to rest.

Without a safe, comfortable place to perch, chickens become unsettled. And unsettled flocks are more prone to stress-related problems such as feather pecking.

Roosting also plays an important role in physical development. Research has shown that regular perching helps strengthen chickens' leg bones as they grow⁽²⁾.

So while every flock needs a roost, the real question isn't whether to provide one, it's knowing what makes a roost truly comfortable and supportive.

During the day, chickens will perch more or less anywhere: on fencing, feeders, or branches, especially if there's food involved.

At night, though, roosting behaviour is much more deliberate.

🐥 A note from my flock.

During the day, my hens will happily perch wherever it suits them, including my apple trees when there's fruit to be had.

At night, though, they always return to the coop roost. That difference tells us a lot about what chickens really need when they're settling down to sleep.

My Red Star chicken in the apple tree, aiming for the fruit!

My Red Stars often fly into trees during the day, but perch on the roost at night.

How do chickens sleep?

Chickens sleep in a very particular way. They close their eyes, tip their head forward, and in cold weather often tuck their beak under a wing to conserve warmth.

What's less obvious is why they don't simply fall off the perch while they’re asleep.

Chickens have a natural locking mechanism in their feet that causes the toes to curl and grip the perch automatically when they settle down. Importantly, they grip with their toes, not the whole foot. The rest of the foot lies flat^{(2, 3)}.

That detail has a major impact on what makes a perch comfortable and safe, especially when it comes to width and shape.

What should roosts be made of?

In the wild, chickens roost in trees. For that reason alone, wood is the best material to use for chicken coop roosts.

Wood provides enough grip for chickens to feel secure, without being slippery or too hard. It also feels familiar underfoot and works well with the way birds naturally perch.

For young chicks, smaller natural branches work well. I often use pine branches from our own trees. The bark gives enough texture for tiny feet to grip properly.

One of my chicks perching happily on a small pine branch.

For adult chickens, ordinary untreated timber from a lumber yard is ideal as long as it’s smooth and free from splinters.

Materials such as plastic, metal tubing, or smooth poles are not suitable. They're too slippery for chickens to grip securely and can make it harder for them to settle comfortably at night.

And there's no need to add soft coverings such as fabric or foam. Chickens don't require padded surfaces, and coverings can create hygiene issues over time.

As with many aspects of chicken keeping, simple and natural works best.

Should baby chicks be given a perch?

Yes. Chicks start to try to jump (or fly!) onto higher surfaces when they're as young as three or four days. At night, young chicks will roost under their heat lamp, but getting them used to different types of perch at a young age is a must.

Baby chicks roosted under their heat lamp at night.

Some of my 2 day old chicks, roosted under their Brinsea heat lamp.

It's good for bone strength, and develops their ability to cling onto a perch.
Studies⁽³⁾ have also shown that introducing chicks to perches before the age of 8 weeks significantly reduces the number of eggs they'll lay on the floor as adults.
It's very entertaining to watch them hopping on and off during the day!

Their first outing "up high" is often to the perch on top of their heat lamp. If you use something like the Brinsea brooder lamp, you'll know what a mess they can make!

🐥 A note from my flock:

My chicks start experimenting with perching remarkably early, usually by hopping onto the top of the heat lamp...

7 day old chicks trying to roost on their Brinsea brooder lamp.

Some of my chicks at 7 days old, exploring their Brinsea heater as a place to roost!

...or the edge of their brooder.

It looks chaotic, but it's completely normal. Those early attempts are how chicks build strength, balance, and confidence, long before they ever sleep on a proper roost.

Four of my three week old chicks perched on their brooder.

Some of my five week old chicks ruling the roost on the side of their brooder!

Let them experiment with perching on flat surfaces initially, and don't give them even low perches until they're around 4 weeks old, or for heavier breeds about 6 weeks. This allows for their bones to become further developed and less prone to injury.

Some heavy breeds like the Orpington, for example, will prefer to roost only on the floor as a chick. That's fine. Once they're introduced into a Big Girls' coop, they'll like low roosts.

A three week old Speckled Sussex chick perching.

One of my three week old Speckled Sussex chicks enjoying a "roost" - place on the floor at first.

How much roosting space should chicks have?

As a rule of thumb, allow around 10 cm (4") of perch per chick, starting on the floor to prevent them having to jump before their bones are properly formed.
For lighter breeds who tend to want to test their flying skills early, I add a perch higher up at about 7 weeks.

A word about broilers.

If you're raising broiler chicks - which, incidentally, I do not recommend - don't give them a perch. They grow much too rapidly, and it's known to damage their keel bones.

Broilers need to roost on the floor^{(4 and 5)}.

What should adult chicken roosts look like? Width, length and height.

How wide should a roost be?

Roost width matters more than many people realise.

In two experiments^(6),twelve different groups of four hens, were given a choice between seven different perch widths ranging from 1.5cm (just over 0.5") and 10.5cm (4"). The most popular was between 4.5 cm (2") to 6 cm (2.5").

Any wider and the chickens can't grip properly with their back toes, which can affect balance during the night. It may even encourage roosting on the floor, or outside.

Perches narrower than 1.5 cm (0.5") were found to be potentially harmful to laying hens⁽⁶^,⁷⁾. The keel (or breast) bone is particularly vulnerable, and narrow perches increase the risk of damage.

2" x 2" has become accepted as the standard for large breeds. It's supported by leaders in poultry care, and works well with the way chickens grip.^{(8, 9)}

Because chickens cling with their toes the roost should be flat on top, with slightly rounded front and back edges. If you use square timber, rounding the edges makes a real difference to comfort.

For bantams, the same principle applies but the size should be reduced to around 1”–1½”, allowing them to grip securely.

Make your perches 2 x 2, and long enough to fit your flock comfortably.

How long should roosts be?

Roost length depends on the size of your flock.

Research suggests allowing at least:

20 cm (8") per bird for smaller chickens and bantams
25 cm (10") per bird for larger breeds.

If one roost isn't long enough for the whole flock, simply add more.

When using multiple roosts:

Space them at least 46 cm (18”) apart
In ladder-style setups, allow 36 cm (12") both vertically and horizontally

Roosts can become very heavy when fully occupied, so they need to be well supported. Heavy-duty brackets or joist holders work well and make removal for cleaning easier.

Long roosts may also benefit from a vertical support partway along.

How high should roosts be?

In the wild, chickens prefer to roost high up, usually in trees, where they feel safer from predators.

Modern breeds, however, are often much heavier than their wild ancestors. While many chickens still like height, they need a safe, easy way to reach it. A ladder system can work well.

Studies have shown that aerial perches without proper access can lead to serious injuries, particularly to the keel bone, legs, and feet.⁽⁴^,⁵^,⁷^,⁸^and⁹⁾

Make sure the flock has a way of easily reaching roosts if they're up high.

Where should the roost be located?

Chickens can be surprisingly particular about where they sleep.

Just as people tend to favour certain seats or spots, chickens quickly establish preferences when it comes to roosting, and they’ll compete for the places they like best.

Studies have shown that hens often prefer roosts positioned close to nest boxes, allowing them to be first off the perch and into a nest when daylight arrives. Roosts placed further away tend to be used less ^{(e.g. 10)}.

That doesn’t mean roosts should be right on top of nest boxes, though. If roosts are too close, chickens may soil the nest boxes overnight, or choose to sleep in them instead of using the perch.

The best arrangement places roosts:

close enough to nest boxes for easy morning access
far enough away to keep nest boxes clean
positioned so droppings don’t fall directly into feed or water.

Finding the right balance helps reduce mess, competition, and early-morning squabbles, all of which contribute to a calmer flock.

Cleaning the roost.

Whichever kind of roost you use, make sure it's easily removed for deep cleaning.

Roosts inevitably collect droppings overnight, so a quick daily scrape helps keep the coop hygienic.

Red chicken mites love to hide during the day, and come out at night. The joint between roosts and the wall is a favourite place.

So make sure you check roosts regularly for tell-tale signs of mites to keep your coop safe and parasite-free.

Frequently Asked Questions about chicken roosts.

Why do my chickens sleep on the floor instead of the roost?

Chickens may avoid roosts if they're uncomfortable, too narrow, too high to reach safely, or placed in an awkward position. Illness, injury, or bullying can also cause birds to choose the floor.

Checking roost width, height, and access usually resolves the problem.

Can the wrong roost design harm my chickens?

Yes. Roosts that are too narrow, too slippery, or poorly positioned can contribute to keel bone injuries, foot problems, and stress. Providing correctly sized, well-supported wooden roosts helps chickens rest comfortably and safely.

Should all chickens roost together at night?

Most chickens prefer to roost together, but they do need enough space to do so comfortably. If roosts are too short, competition can lead to pushing, bullying, or birds being forced off. Adding extra roost space usually solves this.

Is it a problem if chickens sleep outside or in trees?

Occasional outdoor roosting can happen, especially in warm weather, but it often indicates that indoor roosts are less appealing. Improving roost comfort and placement usually encourages chickens to return to the coop at night.

Do roosts really make that much difference to chicken health?

Yes. Roosts support both welfare and physical health. Regular perching strengthens leg bones, helps chickens feel secure, and contributes to calmer flock behaviour, especially at night.

Sources.

1. European Directive on Laying Hens, 1999. (updated 2012).

2. Sandiland, Dr V: Chicken Behaviour and Welfare. University of Edinburgh certificated course, 2019.

3. Drs C. Avory, M C Jack and V Sandilands: Behavioural responses to different floor space allowances in small groups of laying hens. Pub. Journal of British Poultry Science, 2006.

4. Donaldson, C J, Ball, M E and O'Connell, N E: Aerial perches and free-range laying hens: the effect of access to aerial perches on keel bone in juries in commercial free-range laying hens. Pub. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2012.

5. Sandilands, Dr V: Providing laying hens with perches: fulfilling behavioural needs but causing injury? Pub. Journal of British Poultry Science, 2009.

6. Struelens, Dr E et al: Perch width preferences of laying hens. Pub. British Journal of Poultry Science, 2009.

7. Pickel, T, et al: Pressure load on keel bone and foot pads in perching laying hens in relation to perch design. Pub. National Center for Biotechnology Information 2011

8. Damerow, Gail: Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. Pub. Storey, 1997; updated 2017.

9. Damerow, Gail: Damerow - The Chicken Health Handbook. Pub. Storey,1994; updated 2015.

10. Moesta, A et al: Space use at night and social relationship between roosting partners in a large flock of laying hens. Pub. British Journal of Poultry Science, 2012.

Link to Raising Happy Chickens home page.

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