A portable 8 ft roost for 8 hens: two perches of 2x4 laid flat on two A-style ends.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
96 inLength
24 and 36 inPerch height
8Hens
1 to 2 hrBuild time
$29.51Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
2
2x4
96
Perch
laid flat, round the top edges
1
2x4
38
Foot left
on edge
1
2x4
38
Foot right
on edge
1
2x4
32 1/2
Upright high left
1
2x4
32 1/2
Upright high right
1
2x4
20 1/2
Upright low left
1
2x4
20 1/2
Upright low right
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 x 12 ft
Foot left 38Foot right 38Upright high left 32 1/2Upright high right 32 1/2
2x4 x 10 ft
Perch 1 96Upright low left 20 1/2
2x4 x 10 ft
Perch 2 96Upright low right 20 1/2
Shopping list $29.51 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x12 stud, SPF
Home Depot
1
$7.12
$7.12
see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x10 stud, SPF
Home Depot
2
$5.46
$10.92
see lumber cutting diagram
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 1 lb box
Home Depot
1
$11.47
$11.47
Total before tax
$29.51
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Cut the two feet and four uprights from 2x4s and the two perches from 8 ft 2x4s.
Screw a low upright (to 24 in) and a high upright (to 36 in) to each foot, 14 in apart.
Lay each perch flat across the two upright tops and screw down through it into the upright ends.
Round the top edges of the perches with a rasp so the hens' feet are not cut.
Set it on level ground inside the run, away from the feeder, with droppings board or sand underneath.
Before you start
Perch space is 10 in per hen: 96 in of perch carries 9 hens.
A flat 2x4 with the wide face up lets the hen cover her toes in winter. Round, narrow perches get frostbitten feet.
The upper perch is the higher status one. Add a ramp or a lower perch for the shy hens.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.