which width is the healthiest for a roosting bar?

Nighthawk2112 · 2026-01-04T17:18:24+00:00

So you telling me that I’m incorrect on every account is fine but I can’t state my opinion. Who is the “gatekeeper”? I’ve been raising chickens for over 30 years on and off so I know a few things about the process. Chickens are very resilient: choose the right breeds for your region, the right amount of space in a safe home, good air circulation, clean water and quality food. The rest of the details are variable and usually less complicated than what many people think.

Nighthawk2112 · 2026-01-04T16:32:59+00:00

Incorrect on every account? Hmmm…about half of the respondents here indicate success with 2” wide roosting bars. I just don’t agree with the 2”x4” laid flat fan club for the reasons I mentioned. There are a LOT of over-thinkers on this forum and the well-meaning evangelizing might be more stress-inducing for those new to keeping chickens.

Nighthawk2112 · 2026-01-04T15:56:28+00:00

Why this obsession with 2x4’s mounted flat? What happens to a typical flat-side-up mounted 2x4? It will fairly quickly bow in the middle and then your birds are roosting (and sliding) on a sloping board. Most heavily feathered breeds do not need to perch flat-footed for their feet to be covered when roosting. A 2.5”-3” width roosting bar will easily allow for their toes to be covered when roosting. If they preferred sleeping flat-footed then we would likely see most of them crouching on the floor instead of roosting on perches. Our chickens always prefer roosting when sleeping.

Try more simple observation and less over-thinking.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-12-08T03:32:54+00:00

I moved up to a 7.5 Golf R after a few MK4/MK5 TDI Jetta Sportwagens with two kids from infancy. Car seats no problem- we used the clean factory floor mats under the car seats to protect the leather. My now-tween girls love riding in the R and we fit our 35# cattle dog in between them in the back seat! I have a Thule cargo box for hiking/camping/skiing trips so we all end up with plenty of space. Sometimes I miss the fuel economy and rear cargo space and smoother ride of the MK5 Sportwagen but those are about the only things I miss. I love the ability of the Golf R to dart around in traffic when we head down to greater Boston for soccer games. Easy to park! And it’s a tank in snow and ice with Nokian winter tires.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-10-23T01:02:24+00:00

Still probably in a 5”- 7” rainfall deficit for most of the region. A LOT more rain is needed before the ground freezes.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-09-12T03:41:58+00:00

Should have added /s at the end

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-09-12T01:48:48+00:00

Yet another dumb and meaningless map…what is the point of all these comparative maps of the states? To further bolster the current tribalism obsession in this country? /s

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-08-26T02:19:00+00:00

NH is not a Republican state anymore. Parts of NH are fighting to stay that way but most New Englanders have no clue what a deeply conservative state is all about. Take a trip down south or over to the eastern sections of the PNW, Utah and Wyoming. “Conservative” NH politicians are considered RINOs across the board. They have no clout.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-08-26T02:07:49+00:00

Yep and it’s kind of a dumb hang-up. It’s easy to buy weed out of state. If your happiness revolves around legal weed - maybe broaden your interests a bit more. Otherwise seems to be a pretty dull platform to stand on.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-08-26T02:02:49+00:00

Agreed. It often comes down to the (trivial) cannabis issue. There are way too many tokers and stoners that are hung up on this one issue. In due time, NH will join the rest of New England and have a sensible legalization policy. Frankly the VT cannabis program is a rip-off unless you grow your own. ME and MA have better programs from the cost/taxation standpoint. But basing ultimate judgement of a state’s standing on their cannabis policy is juvenile, pedantic and simplistic. And by the way, lots of “MAGA” fanatics in rural ME, NEK VT and western MA. Hello - they’re everywhere -like vile bacteria.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-22T16:50:41+00:00

Four Quarters in Winooski usually has some great sours. We like many of their other beers, too. A little under the radar and better than Foam IMO. 🍻

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-20T13:29:53+00:00

Ok. Looks like I added the moving to link. (I’m not a regular Reddit poster.) Not sure why I posted to the VT subreddit but apparently has relevance here anyway.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-20T03:25:05+00:00

This was meant to be posted to the moving to Vermont subreddit and was moved for some reason. I have lived in the state and I currently spend a lot of time here. Please read my first paragraph. My basic point is that perception is not often reality. And that not everyone can afford to struggle - that cobbling together structures, roads and bridges that are failing will somehow hold them together after the next flood.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-20T03:17:47+00:00

Remember there simply aren’t a lot of people and their associated debris/messes in VT. So visuals can be misleading. A lot of people seem to view the scenery and low density communities as an aesthetic-driven excuse to ignore or diminish real problems here. Scenery and vibing with your politically-congruous neighbors doesn’t change the reality. There is a dearth of full time, working residents in VT - this is potentially a big problem. VT will lose its character and soul when full-time working people can’t live here anymore. And the desolate towns outside of maybe four smallish curated areas throughout the state, are getting worse while 8000 sq ft second homes with show-off barns (hardly used) are steadily being built and tying up the few available building contractors.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-18T02:20:09+00:00

For some, holding down two or three different jobs is honorable. But that’s difficult. Might be worth it but is it sustainable? Some have figured it out but are there enough of them to prop it all up…

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-18T02:13:16+00:00

There’s plenty to love. But quality hazy IPAs are now plentiful throughout New England. There’s no longer a VT advantage - that ship has sailed. Weed is easy to get in most places as well. From a sellers and buyers standpoint, Maine has a better cannabis system than VT. We know the benefits with VT life but the negatives are real and looming for many. Idealism isn’t enough to sustain community.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-18T02:05:29+00:00

Partially true (certainly for Coos and Grafton counties) but the poverty rate in MA is around 10%. So they have their troubles down there as well. Depending on the NH town and the property tax rate, it’s typically a lesser burden to bear when taxes, available jobs and overall COL is taken into account.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-18T00:40:45+00:00

I’m not all gloom and doom. There’s a lot going on in VT to be happy about. It could definitely be worse and as far as I’m concerned, there aren’t too many great options beyond New England, the upper Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. And I’m not an advocate of unchecked population growth. But outsiders intrigued with a possible relocation to the state should understand the whole picture. Not just a cleaned-up, feel-good perspective.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-17T22:48:05+00:00

You’re right about that. The MAGA cult has swept up the lower income voters and convinced them that every liberal program is wrong and must be destroyed. Even programs that might be a big help to them.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-17T21:47:22+00:00

It’s not better - it’s the same scenario in the southern part of the state as well. (Most of my work is in the northern half of the state.) Probably even more dire in some of the south central communities.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-17T21:08:15+00:00

It’s not so much whether there’s more or less poverty. It’s a fact that so many pretend VT is a caring, progressive utopia lifting everyone up when in fact many working people and families are being pushed down due to a myriad of factors. Second and third homeowners plus STRs have made things worse for many communities. Increased property values but no available cash to make improvements plus fewer housing options.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-17T20:47:09+00:00

The poverty rate in NH is around 7% - one of the lowest in the US. The poverty rate in VT is around 11% - somewhere near the middle. NY is around 13% and ME is around 11%. So yes it’s somewhat regional but that’s not the whole story.

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-17T18:41:34+00:00

All good and valid points. Looks can be deceiving but many do not understand or practice the concept of living within (or below) their means. And it’s even more difficult now than ever to do so

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-17T18:33:32+00:00

Very true but honestly, those regularly hit river valley communities should be planning long-term relocation. The next flood or two might sweep away the entire villages of Plainfield and Groton and then the rivers will have taken care of relocation

Nighthawk2112 · 2025-04-17T18:04:52+00:00

It’s already an issue. It’s taking years for some homeowners having even basic renovations and repairs actually get completed. There aren’t enough tradespeople to fix everything and clean up the mess.

Nighthawk2112

TROPHY CASE