Like ourselves, chickens like to feel comfortable in their own home so we will run through a number of ways to do this.

Firstly, whilst we prefer a concrete based floor inside the coop because it’s easier to clean, it’s also more comfortable for the chickens to have some type of material on the floor as well. This will help absorb any smells, provide a bit warmth and also make it easier for you to clean the flooring.

There are different types of material you can use. We used wood shavings mainly as this was the most cost effective material we could find. Hay, straw and sawdust can also be used, although it can be quite dusty which can affect the chickens health, not to mention your own.

If you have access to cheap or free sand, this is also a very good option and it’s very easy to sweep it up when cleaning.
When chickens are laying their eggs they like to sneak away and be quite secretive about it. Nesting boxes should be kept in a darker area of the coop to give them some privacy. Straw or hay is great for nesting boxes and as well as being comfortable for the chickens also protects the eggs as well. Be sure to change the bedding in the nesting boxes if it gets dirty.

Chickens should have easy access to feeders and waterers in their coop. Ideally the feeders should be located in a protected space outside the coop so that it’s easier to clean, but protects it from the weather as well.

There are many different types of feeders around, but our recommendation is simply that you choose feeders which are easy to clean and big enough or you have several so that chickens can eat at the same time. If you only have one, then those lower down in the pecking order may not get a chance to feed. The only other design feature you should look for in a feeder is one which will not let the chickens stand or roost on the feeder as they can contaminate the food with their poop.

Like feeders, chicken waterers should have plenty of clean, fresh water available to the chickens at all times. You may need to check them in winter in case they have frozen over, even if you do have an automatic watering system. Finally, keep waterers off the floor so they don’t get knocked over or stood on. They are best fixed to the side of the coop and roughly the height of the chickens back.

These are the basic comforts of home for a chicken coop which will keep your chickens happy and productive!

Here a few tips for building Nesting Boxes and also how to encourage your chickens to use them as we found ours for a while preferred to nest under bushes.

Here a few tips for building Nesting Boxes and also how to encourage your chickens to use them as we found ours for a while preferred to nest under bushes.

1. You can build your nesting boxes quite simply from an old crate, or even a drawer from an old set of drawers
2. Make sure that you have at least one nesting box per 4 chickens.
3. Ensure that you build your nesting boxes are located in a dark, private corner in your coop
4. Make sure the nesting boxes are comfortable for your chickens to encourage them to lay their eggs. I usually put wood shavings underneath with some straw on top. Make sure the straw is fresh and not dusty.
5. Most chickens lay their eggs firs thing in the morning, so by keeping them confined to their coop and run first thing you will be encouraging your chickens to use the nesting boxes.
6. A reader on this site recommended putting a small roost in front of the nesting box so give it a go!

What are the basics you need to include in your chicken coop to make sure you chickens are happy and comfortable? Be sure to consider these before deciding on the design of your coop.

Give them space!
Chickens in a happy space are productive chickens. Make sure your chickens have at least 3 square feet each inside the chicken coop and around 6 feet in the run for each chicken. So once you have decided on the number of chickens you want to keep, you need to calculate the size of the chicken coop if you are planning on building a coop. Also know that you can come down a bird or two if you cannot find one of the size that you are after.

Let them breathe!
Don’t get confused between drafts and ventilation. Chickens need good ventilation during winter and summer. Typically ventilation should be placed near the top of the coop as warm air rises it can be removed through ventilation traps. Do ensure that there is sufficient fresh air entering near the bottom of the coop as well, to prevent the building up bacteria and condensation.

Give your birds privacy
Nestboxes should be in the lowest, darkest corner of the chicken coop. Chickens are quite secretive when laying eggs and prefer to do this in private. Try to have at least one nesting box per four chickens with straw or wood shavings for litter. Make sure the straw smells fresh and is not dusty as this will be bad for the chicken’s health.

Finally, make sure there is easy outside access to collect the eggs.

Put your birds on a Pedestal
Chickens like to roost on perches at night. You should allow 23-25cm per hen and ensure the perch has enough wide so the birds do not fall off at night. It is a good idea to have perches at the same height, otherwise the chickens will jostle for the higher perch. Chickens do about 50% of their poop at night so to make cleaning the poop from your coop easy to do, make sure there is an easy to remove poop tray under the perches.

Protection from Predators and the Environment
Chickens can be vulnerable to predators like foxes, weasels and stoat so make sure you choose a chicken coop design that is appropriate for your environment. If you live in a windy or wet area, the Chicken Coop must also be built to withstand the climate. If your area is particularly wet, it would be prudent to select a chicken coop design with a raised floor to avoid flooding.

Keep these basics in mind when looking for a chicken coop design for your backyard to ensure your chickens are healthy and productive!