Why You Need A Chicken Coop. Photo of Mr. Luke and his ladies. CHOE
Whether you buy a pre-made coop or are planning to build your own, it is important to realize that all chickens should be kept in coops with protective runs for their own health, protection and your peace of mind. Your chickens hen house or chicken coop should provide your birds with few basic things:
Protection From Inclement weather
If your hens get too hot or too cold they will lay less eggs and could get sick. A chicken coop provides shelter from the weather elements.
Protection From Predators
Most predators will steal eggs, many will attack your chickens, and usually will kill and eat them. Your chickens need to be locked into a secure, safe, well ventilated hen house or chicken coop at night.
A Safe Place to Lay Eggs
A chicken coop or hen house with nest boxes gives your hens a safe place to lay eggs. Hens will lay their eggs in their nests inside the coop so you will not have to go look for them all over your property.
Comfort
Chickens need the comfort of a safe comfortable home just like you do. Overcrowding chickens stresses them out, makes them very uncomfortable, causes fighting between them, causes reduced egg production, and is a breeding ground for sickness and disease.
A rule of thumb for chicken coops and runs is "the bigger the better".
The climate in your chicken coop should be at a comfortable temperature, not too hot and not too cold. It is a good idea to put your coop in a shady spot during summer months and move it to a sunny spot in the winter. Never have the coop door facing North in the winter.
Insulating your coop can keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in summer.
Chicken coops need some ventilation. Poor ventilation in hen houses or chicken coops can cause severe respiratory problems. If you do not have electricity going to your chicken coop it would be a good idea to put a wind powered turbine exhaust fan to pull heat and dust from the coop.
A Clean Place to Live
A clean coop reduces parasites, rodent infestations, respiratory problems, bacterial and fungal infections. Chickens need clean dry bedding in nest boxes and in the coop at all times to promote good health and reduce the chances of parasite and rodent infestations. Wet or moldy bedding can make chickens very ill.
Chicken coops need to be cleaned and maintained on a daily basis and should be completely washed down and disinfected at least once a month.
Nest boxes and roosts need to be wiped down with soap and hot water and disinfected weekly or as often as needed.
Bedding needs to be changed as often as needed. Poop needs to be scooped daily so your birds are not getting sick from walking in their own feces.
Protection From Inclement weather
If your hens get too hot or too cold they will lay less eggs and could get sick. A chicken coop provides shelter from the weather elements.
Protection From Predators
Most predators will steal eggs, many will attack your chickens, and usually will kill and eat them. Your chickens need to be locked into a secure, safe, well ventilated hen house or chicken coop at night.
A Safe Place to Lay Eggs
A chicken coop or hen house with nest boxes gives your hens a safe place to lay eggs. Hens will lay their eggs in their nests inside the coop so you will not have to go look for them all over your property.
Comfort
Chickens need the comfort of a safe comfortable home just like you do. Overcrowding chickens stresses them out, makes them very uncomfortable, causes fighting between them, causes reduced egg production, and is a breeding ground for sickness and disease.
A rule of thumb for chicken coops and runs is "the bigger the better".
The climate in your chicken coop should be at a comfortable temperature, not too hot and not too cold. It is a good idea to put your coop in a shady spot during summer months and move it to a sunny spot in the winter. Never have the coop door facing North in the winter.
Insulating your coop can keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in summer.
Chicken coops need some ventilation. Poor ventilation in hen houses or chicken coops can cause severe respiratory problems. If you do not have electricity going to your chicken coop it would be a good idea to put a wind powered turbine exhaust fan to pull heat and dust from the coop.
A Clean Place to Live
A clean coop reduces parasites, rodent infestations, respiratory problems, bacterial and fungal infections. Chickens need clean dry bedding in nest boxes and in the coop at all times to promote good health and reduce the chances of parasite and rodent infestations. Wet or moldy bedding can make chickens very ill.
Chicken coops need to be cleaned and maintained on a daily basis and should be completely washed down and disinfected at least once a month.
Nest boxes and roosts need to be wiped down with soap and hot water and disinfected weekly or as often as needed.
Bedding needs to be changed as often as needed. Poop needs to be scooped daily so your birds are not getting sick from walking in their own feces.
