Chicken Coop Features to Consider

1. Chicken Coop Features to Consider When purchasing a chicken coop there are a few features you should be considering. These features are not only important for the chicken coop itself, but help increase the health, safety, and life of your chickens. Before you purchase any chickens or any type of chicken coop I highly recommend reviewing your city’s ordinances. This will quickly help you save time, money, and energy. Size & Space Size and Space may be the most important factor you should consider when purchasing a chicken coop. If you are using one of the 5 recommended chickens on this list then you will need approximately 3 to 4 square feet per chicken inside the coop. If your chickens will not roam or you live in a very cold climate then it is recommended to have 10 square feet per chicken. And if you use a movable chicken coop 5 square per chicken is perfect. And remember, if you are using chickens for meat, if they are all full-grown, or if they are aggressive you will want more room inside the coop. Finally, if you plan on expanding the number of chickens you have you may want to purchase a larger coop, to begin with, to help minimize long-term costs. Moveable vs. Stationary Another important factor to determine is if you will need a moveable or stationary chicken coop. Most chicken coops are stationary and are suitable for the 5 best chickens for beginners. You may need a moveable chicken coop if your chickens need to be moved to fresh areas to forage frequently. Cost When purchasing one of the best chicken coops on this list you should also consider cost into your decision making. Most of the chicken coops on this list are all within a general price range of each other. What you will want to factor into your costs though is chicken coop accessories, chicken costs and upkeep, and any additional cost to maintain your coop and land.

2. Easy Access to Eggs or Chickens I have worked with several farmers over the years that have told me their biggest mistake was purchasing a chicken coop that was incredibly hard to maneuver in. When purchasing a chicken coop ensure that you have ease of access to eggs, chickens (if for meat), and the ability to easily clean it. Chicken Coop Material There are three types of material that Chicken Coops can be made of; metal, wood, and plastic. Metal is the least desired material. It is the strongest material but does not insulate well. It also does not ventilate well, which may cause respiratory problems for your chickens. Wood is the standard material of chicken coops. It is strong and handles the elements very well. It also is great for retaining heat and ventilates well. Finally, plastic the least common, but is quickly becoming the most popular material. Plastic coops have average durability and average ventilation. However, it is the easiest to disinfect and access chickens and eggs. Chicken Runs One of the most underrated factors to determine when purchasing a chicken coop is whether or not it has a chicken run. Most chickens cannot and should not live in their chicken coop all day, every day. Because of this, I recommend purchasing a chicken coop that comes with a chicken run. A chicken run provides chickens a place to walk around and work without wandering somewhere else. Nesting Space Nesting space is another critical factor you should review before purchasing your chicken coop. The space should be 2 feet above ground to protect your chickens from predators and weather. Also, each nesting box should be 6 to 10 inches, so that a chicken can comfortably fit in it. 6 to 10 inches is approximately 1 square foot. Roosts A roost is where a chicken sleeps. And while roosts aren’t critically important to chickens you should ensure that your coop has them. When purchasing a chicken coop ensure that it has a roost that is at least 1- feet long for sleeping. Ventilation According to modern journal articles, proper ventilation can increase the survival rate of your chickens by 30%.

3. To help reduce respiratory diseases caused by poor airflow ensure that your chicken coop has plenty of windows and screens. Elevation and Flooring Another critical element to chicken coops is elevation and flooring. Ensure that your chicken coop has a second level that is elevated off the ground. This will provide an increased level of protection for your chickens. Also, ensure that you have flooring that provides easy access to the nesting boxes for your chickens. And I always recommend purchasing a fence to put around your chicken coops to help add level protection for your flooring. For more information about best chicken coops 2019 and other gardening blogs for beginners visit our website https://thegardeningdad.com/