Decide What Size Chicken Coop You Need
Whether you already have a flock of chickens or are thinking about getting some, making sure you have a coop for them is essential. To have happy, healthy and productive chickens it’s important that their environment is set up in a way that makes them feel comfortable and safe. It’s recommended to have at least 4 square feet of space inside the coop per chicken and 10 feet of space for them to roam, whether that’s inside an enclosure or in your yard.
Once you figure out how much space your chickens will need, then you can start looking at the style of coop you want. Decide between a modern black and white color scheme, classic farm red and white or stick with a natural wood look. Choose a chicken coop that has both function and style and everyone will be happy.
Important Chicken Coop Features
Doors That Lock
Having doors that lock is an important step in keeping your flock safe at night. This will keep most predators out and keep your chickens in. Your chickens should naturally return to the coop around dusk. Do a check every night and make sure all the chickens made it home and secure the doors until morning.
Good Ventilation
A chicken house with proper ventilation will ensure your chickens are living their happiest and healthiest life. Look for coops with wire-fenced windows near the top of the coop where your chickens will sleep and lay eggs. Constant airflow will help with things like regulating temperature and air quality, controlling odor and moisture, and preventing disease.
Nesting Box
The nesting box is the place where your chickens will lay their eggs. Giving your chickens a space to lay eggs that is separate from where they sleep prevents eggs from breaking, keeps egg cleaner and makes collecting eggs easier since they’ll likely always be in the same spot. If you plan on getting a rooster and want to hatch chicks, a nesting box is the perfect spot for a brooding mother hen to incubate her eggs.
Roosting Bar
Most chickens prefer to sleep and rest on a perch, or roosting bar, which is included in most of the larger coops. The roosting bar helps keeps the chickens safe by keeping them off the ground and helps to keep them clean since they won’t be sleeping in their droppings. The perch also acts as a form of exercise for the chickens. It will work their leg muscles as they grip the pole and their wings when they hop up and down from the roosting bar.
Some smaller varieties of chickens, called bantam breeds, won’t use a roosting bar since they can’t fly. They will sleep huddled together on the bedding.
Free-Range Chickens vs. Enclosed Chicken Run
Racoons, coyotes, skunks, opossums, snakes, weasels, foxes, hawks, dogs and cats – the list of a backyard chicken’s potential predators is long. Your location will determine how much protection your chickens need during the day.
If you live in an area with more wildlife, you might want to set up a run for your chickens. A run is a completely caged in enclosure where your chickens will spend much of their time. Most coops have a small run attached that gives the chickens some space to walk around with access to the dirt or grass underneath, but they will need more room to roam.
In other areas that are more populated with less predators it may be suitable to let your chickens roam free, or openly explore your backyard. You’ll still want to secure them inside the coop at night, but letting your chickens free-range is great if you feel it’s safe. If not, choose a run with plenty of room for your flock to peck, explore and get away from each other if they need some space.