Secrets Of Great Chicken Coops

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.

Excellent egg production also requires a secure, comfortable nesting area for your hens. Nesting boxes come in all shapes and sizes, based on regional preferences and local climate, but all should include ample space for your chickens. Large nesting areas allow chickens to find the right spot to lay their eggs. Hen chickens will look for safe places to sit on their eggs and ensure the viability of their chicks. A secluded place away from the feeding area is important.

The best nest is made out of straw. Hay can be a good substitute and, for mature chickens, even some sawdust will do. Beware of wood chips, though. Chicks sometimes can not tell the difference between chipped wood and chicken scratch. They can even die if they eat too many wood chips.

Then there is your own ease of use. The eggs must be easy to collect not only because you will be doing it quite often, but also because it means that you do not unduly disturb the chickens and their nests. By avoiding such disturbance you keep your chickens happy and laying. Maybe you have a box nest, with a few adjoining nesting areas. A hinged lid can work will for this type of nest. If you leave your nesting area open, make sure that you can easily reach into all the corners.

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.