If you’re considering building a chicken coop and aren’t sure what to incorporate, there are certain must-have features of any good chicken run plan to consider before you begin. Below are 4 important considerations to keep in mind.
1. chicken pen size
This is particularly important. Happy hens produce a greater number of good quality eggs and it has been shown that hens kept in crowded conditions will not lay as well as those given space and possibly some freedom. You should allow 3-5 square feet of space within the enclosed sleeping/nesting area and ideally 15 square feet of space per bird within the running area. However, this can be reduced by allowing the chickens to roam free a few times a week. As for the height, there must be enough space for them to jump, since although the chickens do not fly, they like to flap their wings. A minimum of 3 feet should be allowed, but the more the better.
2. waterproofing
As chickens are outdoor animals and will be outside in the most extreme weather conditions, this is an important factor to consider. Good chicken run plans will incorporate various forms of waterproofing. When building a chicken coop, it is important to ensure that waterproof materials are used for the roof of the sleeping/nesting area. Also, you’ll want to make sure this area has doors/windows that can be locked overnight or during particularly bad periods of severe weather. Some people also like to provide temporary cover for the run (such as heavy-duty polythene sheeting), as some people insist on being outside despite heavy rain. This is a characteristic of ex-battery hens in particular who are not familiar with normal hen habits!
3. protection against predators
Many chicken farmers have been devastated by the loss of their chickens to a fox or raccoon and animal-proofing your pen should be an important consideration. Therefore, you should make sure that any plan you are considering specifically states what features are being incorporated to combat this problem. Predators are very cunning and will sometimes go to any length to get to your chickens. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that all materials used are strong enough to withstand determined bites, and this includes any netting for courses. Also, foxes are notorious for burrowing in a chicken coop, so you should look for plans that give you options to protect this aspect. For example, you can line the base with mesh or consider driving stakes into the ground around the pen.
4. Ease of cleaning
While you may be surprised at how much waste a few small chickens can produce, there’s no reason your pen can’t be kept sanitary! Look for features in chicken run plans, such as multiple access points, such as front and back doors to the bedrooms, so you can easily remove waste. Also, there should be tips on sealing cracks and crevices to prevent red mite infestation. Another useful feature is the top handles, to allow the chicken coop to be moved around the garden, as this provides the opportunity to not only allow your soil to reclaim, but also to scrape up debris which, when rotten, can be used as fertilizer for the garden