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!

Planning involves identifying how many chickens you wish to keep and how big you need to build your coop. Planning also involves determining the location of your coop and considering the weather and pest elements to ensure your chickens are well protected.

Planning your coop well entails identifying the best design and ensuring your chickens needs are met for their roosting, nesting and feeding habits.

Taking the time to plan your coop properly will ensure you have a great coop that provides a healthy and safe environment for your chickens.

So the 3 tasks and decisions you have to make are:

1. Decide how many chickens you want to keep – perhaps work out how many eggs you want a day!
2. Calculate the size of the area you need per below
3. Check in to ensure your coop size will fit into the area you plan to build your coop.

If the size does not work, then you may need to adjust your size by a few chickens.

As a minimum you should allow at least 3 sq foot per chicken inside the coop and 10 sq foot outside in the chicken run, although I have allowed 4 sq foot per chicken and 10 sq foot in my chicken run. If chickens have the ability to roam outside of a chicken run and scratch around in a garden, they will benefit hugely from this as well. Chickens like space.

Make sure chickens have sufficient room to roost as well. Chickens prefer to roost above ground as this is their natural instinct to avoid predators. They prefer to roost together as it gives them as a sense of security and warmth, so be sure to give them around a foot each on a wooden roost.

These should be kept at the same level otherwise the chickens will jostle for the higher roosts. Chickens do around 50% of their poop at night so be sure to place poop trays under the roosts as this will make it easier to clean and re-use the manure. The roosts themselves should be secured and sufficiently wide enough the chickens don’t fall off at night.

So, once you have worked out how many chickens you want to keep, calculated the size the coop and chicken run should be you will be ready to starting building your coop.

A mobile coop can easily be lifted and moved around your backyard providing good fertilizer as well. Your chickens would also benefit from the fresh grass and bugs in your garden. Use wire mess under the chicken coop to prevent any pests or predators from digging their way in.

To keep chickens safe at night, lock them up but let them out during the day. They will love foraging around your garden.

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!

How often you clean your coop may depend on your environment, but generally I recommend doing a thorough clean at least once a week and cleaning the feeders and waterers daily to ensure there are no blockages.

A cost effective, economic method I use is to put fresh bedding into my nesting boxes each day.  I then move the old bedding to the chicken coop floor and then finally the compost bin.

Once a month I will use a bleach of a couple of tablespoons in a bucket of water and give the waterers a really good clean.

1. Build a Safe House – This will ensure your chickens are well protected against the elements and safe from local predators.  These will vary depending on your location, so design and build to your location.
2. Keep your coop well ventilated – This will ensure your chickens remain healthy and productive
3. To build a coop that is easy to clean and maintain – this will maximise the investment you have made in your coop as well as ensure your chickens are maintained in a healthy, clean environment.

Keep these tips in mind and you will successfully build a chicken coop that will produce happy, healthy and productive chickens.

• At least once a month do a coop walk around. Make sure your chicken run and any fencing you have is secure and there have been no holes created by rats, stoats or other predators.
• Make sure the doors – the chickens’ door and the egg collection doors continue to open freely and easily. If they don’t, either replace or repair.
• Check your feeders and waterers daily to ensure they are clean and water and food continue to flow freely. Clean at least once a week with chlorine bleach.
• Regularly remove the build-up of poop from your coop. This is actually very good manure for your garden due to its high nitrogen and phosphate content. If left, flies and other parasites will be attracted to it and your coop will develop an unhealthy smell.

Follow these four steps to keep your Chicken Coop in good nick.

If you have a small backyard then you will most likely want a small all in one coop or a mobile unit. A small all in one coop is suitable for three or four birds and typically the design will ensure they have some room to run around outside and make sure they are protected from the weather and predators.

A mobile unit is also great if you have a small back yard as you can move the unit around and give your chickens’ fresh grass for them to forage and scratch around in. A larger backyard will give you the additional option of a larger chicken coop with run for your birds and the space for more birds.

If you are raising show birds, you will want to ensure you have a larger chicken coop to ensure they keep their feathers nice and don’t drag their tails around. These coops must be kept extra clean too, so that poop or grass does not stain the feathers. Sometimes chickens have a tendency to fight so as to establish what the pecking order is, so it may be a good idea to separate your show birds where possible.

Your environment is also very important to consider before selecting a chicken coop. If your climate is cold and wet or has a tendency for flooding you will want to make sure you have an elevated coop to reduce the likelihood of flooding or being snowed under. You may also need to set up some type of heating if you have a very cold climate. Chickens do tend to snuggle together when it does get cold. Ensure that your chickens are well sheltered from both the rain and the sun.
You will want to consider any council permits or restrictions if you are a city dweller. Additionally you will want to ensure your chickens are protected from kids and other predators!

Finally make sure that your chickens have boundaries. You don’t let your kids on the road, and you don’t want chickens roaming the neighbourhood either!

You will want to protect your chickens from predators as well. Chickens can ran fast, but foxes and aggressive dogs can run faster! Your hen house or chicken run should be well protected with fencing and wire that goes under the ground. This will also keep other annoying pests away as well including rats and stoats. Like you lock your door at night, do the same for your chickens as well.

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!