The Simplest Rustic Chicken Swings (Drill and No-Drill Models)

Chicken swings are all the rage right now. Hanging in the coop, in the run, or elsewhere on your property, it’s just too funny to watch your birds perch on them and rock back and forth in the breeze. You can buy complete and, frankly, overpriced kits online, but I think this is the very summit of silliness for homesteaders…

You’ve got all of the supplies and materials that you’ll need on hand right this very moment, I’ll bet on that, and with the plans I will share with you below, you can make an easy, rustic chicken swing in just a few minutes’ time.

I know your chickens are bound to be looking forward to it, so let’s not waste any more time and get on with it!

Do Chicken Swings Really Have a Purpose?

Yes, they really do. I’m happy to report that considering so many popular fads that have to do with chicken keeping are started by folks who aren’t really invested in the practice and they tend not to serve any genuine purpose.

But chicken swings do, and they are still hilarious and entertaining at the same time.

A chicken swing is basically another type of roost for your birds. It allows them to get up off the ground when they want to for relaxation or just to get a better view.

Also, because they are less stable than fixed roosting bars, chickens have to engage more muscles and their sense of balance in order to stay on it.

This makes them much more akin to the gently swinging branches they would have roosted in way back in the day when they were still living in the jungle. And, heck, some chickens can still get up into trees today!

This is a good way to give them a little bit of extra exercise and also some entertainment. Chickens that get used to using them seem to really like them, and you’ll see them on them all the time.

What You’ll Need

You need precious little to make either of the chicken swing designs I’m going to share with you. They are differentiated only by whether or not you want to drill through the branch when you are knotting your rope to it.

Sturdy Branch: for each roost bar, you’ll need a good, sturdy branch. Find one that is freshly fallen and trim the ends, or cut one down yourself. It should be anywhere from 2 to 5 inches in diameter and anywhere from 12 to 16 inches long.

You can make it a little longer if you wish if you want more birds to use it at the same time. Just make sure that your overhead mounting point is equally long.

Rope: any sturdy, weather-resistant rope works fine here.

I like using classic Manila rope, but anything you’ve got on hand will do fine as long as it’s strong enough to support the weight of the branch and the weight of the birds without breaking. You’ll need two equal lengths, with the length dependent on how high your anchor point is.

Tape: duct tape or all-weather clear tape is useful for whipping the ends of your rope so it doesn’t fray. It also makes it a whole lot easier to thread it through the holes on the branch if you’re going with the drilled method.

Measuring Tape: handy for measuring, for obvious reasons. For sizing the branch and also determining how much rope you’ll need when hanging the swing.

Level: a small torpedo level is helpful for making sure that the swing will be easy for the chickens to sit on. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but if it’s slanted too far to one side or the other they won’t roost on it.

Drill: any electric drill will do the trick here. Corded, cordless, it doesn’t matter. You can even use a manual drill if you want to. If you are assembling the no-drill version of the swing, you won’t need it.

Drill Bit: your drill bit should be slightly larger than the diameter of the rope you are using. You’ve got to be able to pass the rope through the branch, after all! A smaller one to make a pilot hole is also helpful.

Again, if you’re going with the no-drill method you don’t need this.

And that’s it. Now, let’s get down to making these swings so our chickens can have a ball.

Making the “Drilled” Chicken Swing

I promised you above that making these swings is super simple, and it is, but make it a point to read over all of the steps before you start so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 1: gather and check tools and materials. Get your branch and trim the edges if necessary, grab the level, rope, tape, drill, and drill bit along with your measuring tape.

Step 2: measure distance to anchor point, cut rope.

You can hang your chicken swing from any sturdy overhead anchor. This could be eyelets or a beam in the chicken coop, a branch outside, or even a pole that you erected on the outside of the coop specifically for the purpose.

Just make sure that your anchor points are spaced apart the same length as your branch so the swing will be stable and easy to hang.

Your chicken swing should be no higher than a foot off the ground or floor. Measure this distance from the anchor points and then add at least an extra foot to account for tying the knots: this is how long you’ll need each piece of rope to be.

Step 3: drill holes in branch. Securing your branch in a vise or on a convenient stump like I’m doing in the picture, drill a hole a couple of inches from each end, making sure to keep the holes in line with one another.

If you’re using a larger diameter rope for this project, use a smaller drill bit to make a pilot hole and then drill the larger hole. This will make it a lot easier.

Step 4: whip ends, secure rope to anchor. Grab your tape and make two complete wraps on each end of your cut pieces of rope.

Then take one piece of rope and tie it off to your anchor. If you’re going around a branch like in the pic below, wrap it one time and then tie a half knot.

Step 5: tie off second rope. Repeat the process with the second piece of rope, spacing it out so it corresponds with the holes in the branch. You can hold the branch up to eyeball it easily.

Step 6: tie first rope to branch. Starting with one of the ropes, pass the end through the hole you drilled:

…then tie a simple overhand knot, cinching it up tightly:

Step 7: start second knot. Pass the other hanging rope through the other hole you drilled in the branch. Hold the branch level, and then loosely tie another overhand knot to secure it but don’t cinch it tightly yet!

Step 8: check for level. Grab your level and lay it on top of the branch, holding it in place so it doesn’t fall off. Make any adjustments you need to know before you cinch up the second knot so your swing will be level and appealing to your birds.

Step 9: done! Your chicken swing is complete and professionally installed using classic, affordable, and rustic materials. Congratulate yourself, you just saved a bundle and your birds will surely thank you.

Making the “No-Drill” Chicken Swing

Don’t have a drill? Don’t want to mess with it? That’s just fine, this is the method for you. Again, read over all the steps before you start so you know what to expect.

Step 1: gather materials. Grab your rope, branch, tape, and measuring tape.

Step 2: measure distance to anchor point, cut rope. Again, your chicken swing should be no more than a foot off the ground or floor.

Measure the distance from there to your overhead anchor point, and add at least an extra foot, then cut two pieces of rope to that length.

Step 3: whip ends of rope. Using your tape, make two complete wraps around each end of each of your pieces of rope to keep them from fraying.

Step 4: tie ropes to branch. Make one complete wrap around one end of the branch with a piece of rope…

…then tie it off using an overhand knot or figure-eight knot:

Do this again on the other end with the other piece of rope.

Step 5: check swing for length. With your ropes tied on, lay out your ropes and make sure they are roughly equivalent in length.

Note in the picture above that the knots should be facing upward toward your anchor point. If you’ve messed up and shortened one of the ropes too much, retie that knot or cut a fresh piece of rope.

Step 6: tie off ropes to anchor point. Make at least one complete wrap around your anchor point and then tie it off with an overhand knot. You can use any knot you want as long as it won’t slip.

Start the process with the other rope, check the swing for level, and then tie it off securely.

Step 7: done! You finished your rustic, affordable, and super simple chicken swing. I know they are probably jumping up and down ready to use it.

Where’s the Best Place to Put a Chicken Swing?

If there’s a tree giving your run some shade, one with a convenient branch jutting out over the run, that is a perfect spot for it.

Likewise, I know many people who hang up one or more swings inside the coop to allow extra room for roosting or just to give their birds a more natural roosting experience.

Anywhere is a good spot for a chicken swing as long as it won’t be in your way and it’s not at any major risk of falling down or causing damage.

Take a moment and consider what the swing would do if it went through a high wind event, too: could it blow through a window or cause other mayhem? Consider repositioning it in that case.

Help! My Chickens Won’t Use the Swing!

Chicken swings have a tendency to hurt feelings: For every person who sees their chickens happily hop right up on it like they were born there, some will have birds that show absolutely no interest in it. That’s definitely upsetting when you just put in a whole half-hour into fashioning the swing for them. Talk about a lack of gratitude!

I can tell you from my own experience there are two things that will reliably get chickens to use their new swing.

The first is when they need to get up off the ground. In the case of hens, if you have a rooster around and they’re trying to resist his advances, they will quickly flee here to get away from him.

The same goes for any other birds that are getting picked on or figuring out their place in the pecking order.

But, assuming you want to train your birds to use the swing – because we all want those awesome Instagram shots, don’t we? – the best way to do it is with food.

Simply hold your bird’s favorite treat up at the level of the swing and they will quickly hop up there. Once they are, give them a morsel or two and then let them go on their way. Repeat this process a few times, and they will figure it out quickly, trust me (unlike potty training!)

But once they do, don’t be surprised when you see most members of your flock eager to get some time on the swing, and even taking a nap up there. The birds really do seem to enjoy it, and as discussed above, it can do a lot of good for them.