If you ’ve been dream of put up volaille but feel overwhelmed by coop design , do n’t vex — I’ve been there . Having the good wimp chicken coop feature film can make all the difference in celebrate your flock safe , goodly , and easy to care for .
In this post , I ’ll walk you through the nine ripe chicken cage feature article I ’ve get a line to sleep together after year of levy chickens — plus a few incentive tip to help you make a frame-up that works for you
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When I first started , my chicken know in a two - horse trailer ! Over fourth dimension ( and with help from my dad and granddaddy ) , I finally built my aspiration chicken coop . But here ’s the truth : you do n’t necessitate the gross setup to begin keeping chickens . What count most is getting started .
Whether you ’re building a young coop , buy one , or converting something like a dog kennel or garden shed , these are the good crybaby cage features I ’ve find out to get it on . They ’ll aid you raise happy , healthy hen while saving time and exertion .
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1. Slanted Nesting Box Tops
sloped big top are one of the most pragmatic chicken coop features you may sum up . They keep your hens from rest — and pooping — on top of the nesting boxes . Less mess means less work for you .
2. Roomy Nesting Box Openings
ensure each nesting box curtain raising is at least 12 by 12 inch , or 14 by 14 inch for large chicken breed . Keep the box low-spirited to the ground so even less agile hens can hop in and out well . I apply a step about 1 to 2 feet high , and it works great .
Learn more about nesting boxes here : Chicken Nesting Boxes : Everything You Need to Know .
3. The Right Number of Nesting Boxes
You might be surprised to find out that chicken often prefer to lay in the same box — even at the same time ! Still , it ’s a good thought to have one nesting box for every 3 to 5 hens , with at least two box for small deal .
hear more in my post here : How Many Nesting Boxes Per Chicken .
4. Sturdy and Comfortable Roosting Bars
Chickens care to roost in mellow spots for safety , but not all breeds fly well . A step - footstep or ladder - style roosting bar frame-up helps them move up and down easily .
Use wooden roosts that are 1.5 to 2 inches wide for better grip and comfort — wood remain more temperature - unchanging than metal and is less slippery than charge card .
5. Proper Coop Ventilation
Good airflow in your chicken coop is of the essence for preventing wet and ammonia buildup . Plus it ’s much needed in the summertime time to help keep the coop tank .
I added window on each side of my coop , vents near the top , and even shore open up the front door with horse cavalry paneling in the summer to lease in a breeze .
6. Large Chicken Feeder
My feeder book 200 pounds of wimp feed — it ’s a number overkill , I admit , but it ’s so convenient .
A birdfeeder that holds at least a week ’s Charles Frederick Worth of food will save you time and day-after-day endeavour . I also free - eat my chickens and have never had event with overeating . I keep careful record book , and they always consume the recommended amount .
If you do n’t need a eater as big as mine , this volaille feeder hereis another cracking option and holds 30 pounds of feed .
7. Automatic Chicken Waterer
This is one of my favorite poulet coop upgrades . Anautomatic watererensures your batch always has fresh water , even if you ’re meddling . I still check it regularly and clean it out , but I no longer worry about atilt - over waterers or wry days .
8. Hanging Containers for Grit and Oyster Shell
Chickens need grit to digest food and oyster shell for strong eggshells . I hang freestanding container for each to keep thing sporting and prevent the bird from scratch it all into the dirt .
Learn more about fertilize each in the Wiley Post below ,
9. A Dedicated Chicken Dust Bath
chicken course disperse bathe to keep pest like tinge away . I wish to give them their own dust bathtub area filled with diatomaceous earth , wood ash tree , or both . It ’s a simple way to boost flock wellness and keep parasite in check .
Learn more about making a debris bathing tub here : How to Make a Dust Bath for Chickens .
Bonus Feature: Predator-Proof Your Chicken Coop
We used to permit our chickens free - range , but after losing too many to coyotes , we enclosed the yard altogether . We even swallow up sheet alloy a foot deep around the perimeter to stop toil predators .
If you ’re building a Gallus gallus cage in a rural or suburban area , piranha - proofing is substantive .
Final Thoughts
Building the best chicken coop does n’t think it has to be fancy or expensive . Use what you have , whether it ’s a garden shed , a trailer , or a custom - built coop . Focus on these essential chicken coop feature , and your hatful will thrive .
If you ’re just getting start or want to watch more about backyard chicken keeping , be indisputable to contain out my ebook — The Ultimate Guide to Raising Chickens .
Prefer Watching? Watch My YouTube Video Below
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