Housing For Chickens - What You Need to Know
When making chicken housing plans you need to take into consideration more than just the way the coop will look.
There are other things of importance that are going to be incorporated into the plans you choose.
1.
Space.
Your chicken needs a considerable amount of space for it to be happy and healthy.
You must reserve 4 square feet per chicken.
Don't skimp on space.
In reality it wouldn't matter if you allocate more housing for chickens than required.
2.
Light.
Light is required for your coop as to stimulate the egg laying process.
This is a must for year round egg laying.
It's recommended that your chicken housing plans include one light per 40 feet within your coop.
One light may be sufficient for a small chicken coop placed above the feeding/watering section.
3.
Perches.
You must provide your chickens with appropriate perches as they have a tendency to perch otherwise they'll perch on feeders, nesting boxes, and anything else in the coop.
4.
Ventilation.
Chickens sweat.
Sounds odd but they do.
Your coop requires ventilation so that your chickens are kept cool during the warmer season and so that the chickens perspiration can escape and evaporate the chicken coop.
5.
Nesting Boxes.
If you have chickens for the benefit of their eggs, then you will want your coop to be fitted with at least one nesting box that will cover every five to six female chickens.
You should make the nest dark and comfortable so that your chickens can feel safe.
You should place some wood shavings or straw within the nest boxes and customize them so that they are at a minimum of four inches deep.
6.
Protection.
Your chickens need to be protected from predators like coyotes, foxes, raccoons, rats, hawks and other predators.
The housing for chickens that you go with should be strong and there should be no part of it that can be pushed over.
Make sure the fence reaches the bottom of the ground.
You should also place the fencing under ground an estimated one foot.
There are other things of importance that are going to be incorporated into the plans you choose.
1.
Space.
Your chicken needs a considerable amount of space for it to be happy and healthy.
You must reserve 4 square feet per chicken.
Don't skimp on space.
In reality it wouldn't matter if you allocate more housing for chickens than required.
2.
Light.
Light is required for your coop as to stimulate the egg laying process.
This is a must for year round egg laying.
It's recommended that your chicken housing plans include one light per 40 feet within your coop.
One light may be sufficient for a small chicken coop placed above the feeding/watering section.
3.
Perches.
You must provide your chickens with appropriate perches as they have a tendency to perch otherwise they'll perch on feeders, nesting boxes, and anything else in the coop.
4.
Ventilation.
Chickens sweat.
Sounds odd but they do.
Your coop requires ventilation so that your chickens are kept cool during the warmer season and so that the chickens perspiration can escape and evaporate the chicken coop.
5.
Nesting Boxes.
If you have chickens for the benefit of their eggs, then you will want your coop to be fitted with at least one nesting box that will cover every five to six female chickens.
You should make the nest dark and comfortable so that your chickens can feel safe.
You should place some wood shavings or straw within the nest boxes and customize them so that they are at a minimum of four inches deep.
6.
Protection.
Your chickens need to be protected from predators like coyotes, foxes, raccoons, rats, hawks and other predators.
The housing for chickens that you go with should be strong and there should be no part of it that can be pushed over.
Make sure the fence reaches the bottom of the ground.
You should also place the fencing under ground an estimated one foot.