Install wide, flat roosts for winter frostbite prevention

Use 2x4 lumber with the wide (4-inch) side facing up as roosting bars. This allows chickens to settle their body and breast feathers over their toes while sleeping, keeping their feet warm and protected from frostbite on cold nights.

Why It Works

Chicken toes are thin, poorly insulated, and highly vulnerable to frostbite. On a narrow round perch, toes wrap around and are exposed to cold air. On a wide flat roost, the chicken sits flat-footed and covers its toes with insulating body feathers. This simple design change prevents the most common winter injury in backyard flocks.

Tips

• Sand or lightly round the edges of the 2x4 to prevent splinters
• Roosts should be at least 12 inches from the wall to prevent frostbite from contact with cold surfaces
• Large-combed breeds (Leghorns, single-comb varieties) are also prone to comb frostbite — good ventilation to remove moisture is the primary prevention