Secrets Of Top Chicken Coops
June 21st, 2010
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There are several things to keep in mind when building chicken coops. The first is comfort. Give your chickens room to move around the enclosure, some wing room to make them feel like they are leading a more normal life. Chickens laying habits are highly affected by stress. Happy, comfortable chickens lay more eggs.
Giving them open space also encourages your chickens to utilize their natural pecking instinct to find food. You can further encourage this behavior by tossing a handful or two of feed on the ground in the morning.
Providing a nesting area that is both safe and comfortable will ensure excellent egg production. The size and shape of your nesting box will be based on your local weather patterns. Ask around and find out what type of box your neighbors have built. Whatever design you settle on, make sure their is plenty of space to lay eggs. Several hen chickens may use the same nest, but they can also be very picky and want their own space. Their main priority is to make sure their chicks will hatch in a warm, protected environment. Keep the nesting area away from the hustle and bustle of the feeding trough.
Give your chickens cut straw or some hay to mimic what they might find in the wild. Fluffy sawdust can work too, but try to avoid wood chips. Young chicks often mistake it for their food; eating too much wood can kill them. For mature chickens, however, wood chips can be a possible choice.
For your own comfort, make sure the eggs are easy to collect. You will be coming to the coop every day or so; make it as easy on yourself as possible. Accessible nests also mean less disturbance for the chickens. Less disturbance means less stress and less stress means more eggs for you. For a box style nest with several nesting areas, a hinged roof is simple and easy to use. If your nesting area is open, it should be easy to reach the back corners from the front for ease of collection.
Your chickens need protection from the elements and from predators. A well made roof to keep out the rain, solid walls to block the wind, some ventilation to keep the air fresh. If you live in snow country, keep a heat lamp or other heat source in the nesting area. Just designing your coop properly can provide a lot of security, but remember that placement is also important. Keep the coop away from high-traffic areas will help your hens feel safe and secure.
Now you are ready to go out and build your own coop. Safe secure chicken coops are the secret to happy chickens and happy chickens are the secret to getting more eggs.
