I don’t know if it’s just me, but there’s something very soothing about watching chickens do their little bedtime shuffle. They all line up like it’s a school photo, flap once or twice, and then poof — down for the night like feathered commuters catching the last train. And the roost? That’s the VIP lounge.
But here’s the thing — not all chicken roosts are created equal. Some are too narrow. Some are too low. Some look like something out of a medieval dungeon (and trust me, no hen deserves that). And if you’re a backyard chicken keeper who’s cobbled together a coop from spare timber and hope (been there), then you already know how much of a difference a proper roost can make.
So whether you’ve got a full-on walk-in chicken barn, a DIY run made from fence panels, or you’re halfway through converting a disused trampoline (yes, I’ve seen it), here are 10+ roosting stand ideas that are cute, comfy, and easy to pull off — even if your power tools live permanently under a pile of laundry.
1. A Classic Wooden Ladder Roost with Wide Perches
Let’s start with the old reliable. A wooden ladder-style roost is basically the IKEA Billy bookcase of the chicken world — classic, functional, and weirdly satisfying. It’s made from simple timber planks (2x2s or thicker), spaced like a gentle staircase so your hens can hop up and down without drama. This one’s freestanding, so it works in coops with dirt or gravel floors, and you can hose it down when things get, well… poopy.
I used cedar for mine because it weathers well, but pine works too if you seal it properly. Add a removable poop board underneath (old tray, sheet metal, even a painted plank) and your morning clean-up just got ten times easier.
2. A Corner Roosting Frame to Save Coop Space
If your coop’s more cupboard than castle, a corner frame roost can be a lifesaver. Built with two L-shaped supports in the corner and one or two roost bars across, it makes use of that awkward triangle of space that never fits anything else anyway.
We made ours from offcuts from a deck project and sanded the edges so no one gets a splintered bum (yes, chickens have bums too). Add a little step-up if your hens are on the petite side. Mine love theirs — it’s like a bunk bed for birds.
3. A Roost Stand Built from an Old Ladder and Fence Posts
This one’s ideal if you’re the kind of DIY-er who loves the phrase “I could use that.” Grab an old wooden ladder (the chunky kind), saw it in half, and mount the pieces inside the coop with a few short posts to lift them off the floor. Ta-da — instant roosting stand with zero new lumber needed.
I added a bit of paint (sage green, of course) and some anti-slip tape on the rungs because my hens are dramatic and one almost tumbled off during a stormy night. This setup looks charmingly rustic and works well in walk-in coops or larger chicken enclosures.
4. A Raised Roosting Bench with Built-In Poop Tray
Now, if you’re someone who loves a bit of form and function, try building a roost bench with a built-in tray underneath. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a sturdy frame with a flat top for the perch bar, and a slide-out tray below to catch droppings. Think of it like a bunk bed crossed with a kitchen drawer.
I made one with a scrap cabinet carcass and a couple of fence pickets. It’s great for keeping bedding cleaner and gives you somewhere to chuck a few pine shavings or sand to soak things up. Add wheels if you want it mobile, or tuck a storage bin underneath for cleaning gear.
5. A DIY Branch Roost for a Natural Look
Feeling whimsical? Or maybe just trimming the backyard trees? Use thick branches to build a natural roosting stand. Look for ones about 2–3 inches wide — enough for your hens to perch comfortably without clutching for dear life.
We mounted ours on two upright 2x4s and added a few diagonal braces to keep it sturdy. The birds love it. Something about the bark texture makes it feel wild and cozy at the same time. Great if you’re going for a cute chicken coop aesthetic without spending much — just make sure the wood’s non-toxic (avoid anything that’s been chemically treated or oozes sap).
6. A Swinging Roost Bar Hung from Chains
Okay, this one’s not for the faint-hearted hens, but it’s such a fun idea if your flock is fairly confident and loves to flap. Basically, it’s a thick wooden roost bar (we used a sanded tree branch) hung from short metal chains on either side, so it swings just a little. Not like a playground swing — more like a wobbly log in a jungle gym.
You’ll want to mount it inside a larger coop or run where they’ve got enough room to practice their balance without knocking into the walls. The trick is getting the height just right — high enough that they hop up, but not so high they’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil.
Ours hangs from the rafters in the open-air section of the coop and honestly, it’s more popular than the static perch. Bonus points if you hang a little jute curtain or plant basket nearby to give it some boho farm flair.
7. A Multi-Tiered Roosting Tree for Large Flocks
If you’ve got more chickens than you planned for (don’t worry, it happens), a roosting tree is your go-to. Think multi-levels, like a cat tree but for hens. You can build one from vertical posts with platforms or staggered perches at different heights.
The base can be weighted down with concrete blocks or sunk into the floor of a large walk-in coop. We built ours using leftover 2x4s and half a plywood sheet — cut into step-like ledges and secured at angles with brackets. It looks a bit like a weird abstract sculpture, but the girls love it. Each one finds their spot and fluffs up like they’ve just booked into a five-star hotel.
You can customise it depending on the size of your coop and flock — just don’t make the perches too high without a way down, or you’ll be doing chicken rescue at sunrise.
8. A PVC Pipe Roost That’s Light and Easy to Clean
If you’re all about practicality (or just don’t want to wrestle heavy wood through the coop door again), PVC might be your friend. A simple roost frame made with thick PVC pipes and connectors is surprisingly sturdy and so easy to clean.
You’ll want the 2” or thicker pipe, and cap the ends so no bugs move in. It’s not the most aesthetic option, but if you give it a quick coat of matte spray paint (safe for outdoor plastics), it can blend in a bit more. I built one with adjustable legs too, so I can raise or lower it depending on who’s laying and who’s broody and refusing to budge.
Works brilliantly in coops where you need to move things around for mucking out, or if your setup is more temporary.
9. A Pallet-Based Roost with Attached Ramp
This is for the DIYers who love a bit of scrappy charm. Find an old pallet in decent condition (ask your local garden centre — they’ve always got spares), give it a good scrub and sand, then attach two legs or lean it at a sturdy angle against the coop wall.
Add a few extra horizontal boards if the slats are too far apart, and boom — instant roost. For added drama, attach a little ramp from the floor up to the lowest slat, so everyone can climb up in style. It’s rustic, costs next to nothing, and honestly looks like it came straight off a Pinterest board.
Our hens took to it immediately, and it doubles as a sunning bench during the day. Make sure to anchor it if you’ve got a feisty flock — chickens are surprisingly enthusiastic jumpers.
10. A Roosting Bench Inside a Covered Chicken Run
Sometimes your chickens just want options. A bench-style roost gives them a place to nap, perch, or gossip (I swear that’s what they do up there). This one’s just a wide, sturdy plank mounted between two posts in the covered run — about 18 to 24 inches off the ground. You can add a second, higher bench behind it if you want layers.
Paint it to match the coop or let it weather naturally for that classic farmhouse look. It’s a lovely middle ground between “I built a throne” and “I found this in the shed.” Our bench also serves as the unofficial referee stand when the hens argue about the feeder.
Best part? It’s easy to hose off and sturdy enough to sit on when you’re hanging out with them. Which, let’s be honest, is probably the best part of backyard chicken keeping anyway.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, chickens really just want somewhere safe to curl up and whisper their weird little chicken dreams. A good roosting setup makes the whole coop feel calmer, cleaner, and more like a proper home. And whether you’re building from scratch or repurposing whatever’s in the garage, there’s always a way to make it work — even if you measure everything by eye and still end up with one slightly wonky leg (guilty).
Honestly, once the girls hop up and tuck in for the night, all you’ll hear is that little shuffle and the occasional sleepy cluck. Pure backyard bliss.