There are certain things that every chicken coop should have to make sure you are raising happy and healthy chickens. Nobody wants to have a bunch of unhappy chickens running around, part of the reason of raising chickens is because they are so much fun! So let me get into some of the basics that every chicken coop needs to have.
First off, you need a roost. Chickens love to sleep in the highest place in the chicken coop because it makes them feel the safest. Chickens also go to the bathroom when they are resting, so it is very important that they do not sleep in their nesting boxes, you do not want to have your fresh eggs covered in droppings. Because of this, you also do not want your roost located directly above your nesting boxes. Your roost should leave the chickens enough head room also so they aren't bumping their heads when jumping up or down. Don't worry about having excess space on each side of your chickens while sleeping, because they like to huddle up with each other to stay warm and feel safe.
Secondly and probably the most important is protection from any animals that might want to eat your chickens. If you do not have a floor you need to have fencing buried under the dirt so no animals can dig their way into the coop, and make sure the coop and chicken run are all fenced in, especially if you know there are predators in your area.
Another very important feature to your chicken coop is proper spacing. Your chicken coop needs to have at least three square feet for every chicken you have. I think you should have at least four, but I know some people do not have that kind of space, so just make sure you have three. The more the better.
Two more important features to your chicken coops are your feeder and your water heater. For those cold nights you need to make sure you have a water heater so your water doesn't freeze. Also make sure it is big enough to hold enough water for you to go away for a few days without refilling it. This obviously depends on how many chickens you have. You also want your feeder to be off the ground so the chickens do not scratch it and don't get dirt and other things you don't want your chickens eating in it.
Proper ventilation and the ability to clean your chicken coop easily is the last piece of advice I will give you here. Your chickens need fresh air because it will get smelly from their droppings and this can cause them to get sick. Have a couple vents or windows so the air can flow through easily to keep fresh air in your coop. Cleaning your coop out regularly is also important, the easiest way to clean your coop is having a coop large enough that you can walk into. This isn't ideal for everyone because you might not have space for a coop that large, make sure you can open the roof or a side to get proper access to your coop so you can clean it out.
Hopefully there was something in my article that you learned and can make you current chicken coop better or can add to your designs of your new coop. If you are still debating whether you should have chickens or not, stop thinking and get some! They are a lot of fun and easy to take care of.
First off, you need a roost. Chickens love to sleep in the highest place in the chicken coop because it makes them feel the safest. Chickens also go to the bathroom when they are resting, so it is very important that they do not sleep in their nesting boxes, you do not want to have your fresh eggs covered in droppings. Because of this, you also do not want your roost located directly above your nesting boxes. Your roost should leave the chickens enough head room also so they aren't bumping their heads when jumping up or down. Don't worry about having excess space on each side of your chickens while sleeping, because they like to huddle up with each other to stay warm and feel safe.
Secondly and probably the most important is protection from any animals that might want to eat your chickens. If you do not have a floor you need to have fencing buried under the dirt so no animals can dig their way into the coop, and make sure the coop and chicken run are all fenced in, especially if you know there are predators in your area.
Another very important feature to your chicken coop is proper spacing. Your chicken coop needs to have at least three square feet for every chicken you have. I think you should have at least four, but I know some people do not have that kind of space, so just make sure you have three. The more the better.
Two more important features to your chicken coops are your feeder and your water heater. For those cold nights you need to make sure you have a water heater so your water doesn't freeze. Also make sure it is big enough to hold enough water for you to go away for a few days without refilling it. This obviously depends on how many chickens you have. You also want your feeder to be off the ground so the chickens do not scratch it and don't get dirt and other things you don't want your chickens eating in it.
Proper ventilation and the ability to clean your chicken coop easily is the last piece of advice I will give you here. Your chickens need fresh air because it will get smelly from their droppings and this can cause them to get sick. Have a couple vents or windows so the air can flow through easily to keep fresh air in your coop. Cleaning your coop out regularly is also important, the easiest way to clean your coop is having a coop large enough that you can walk into. This isn't ideal for everyone because you might not have space for a coop that large, make sure you can open the roof or a side to get proper access to your coop so you can clean it out.
Hopefully there was something in my article that you learned and can make you current chicken coop better or can add to your designs of your new coop. If you are still debating whether you should have chickens or not, stop thinking and get some! They are a lot of fun and easy to take care of.
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