In fact, chickens can handle low temperatures without any warming devices. While many people worry that their chickens might get too cold, the tiny down feathers under their top feathers naturally work to insulate them from the cold. The size of the nesting box depends on the chicken breed that you are raising, but they should be at least 1.5 times the size of the bird. These boxes should be completely closed in on three sides with a small opening in the front. A good rule of thumb is to have one nesting box for every three hens.
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This is where the hens will go to lay their eggs. Also, allow at least 8 inches of roosting bar space per hen. If this is not feasible, then all perches should be at least 1.5 feet off the ground. Therefore, make sure that you have a pole (preferably 4 inches wide) with enough room for them to perch as high as you can within your coop. This is an instinctive behavior to keep them safe from floor predators. Where are the Chickens going to Perch (Roosting Bars) ?Ĭhickens naturally rest on a perch (roosting bar) at night. If your chickens will be spending most of the day roaming outside, then plant small bushes inside their free-range area providing shade and insects for the birds.Īt the same time however, eliminate as many bushes, trees and plants that are directly outside of the coop, because they provide the perfect hiding spots for predators.
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Realize that predators can burrow under the coop. Make sure to cover the top of the coop with solid wood or strong wire mesh or other material that will stop birds from swooping into your coop. Keep them inside wired or wood fences that have extremely small openings. Therefore, it is essential that you protect them.
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How to protect Chickens from PredatorsĬhickens are incredibly vulnerable to predators including hawks, owls, weasels, raccoons and coyotes. Furthermore, it is much easier to protect your flock from predators using a stationary coop.Īlternatively, if you are worried about dead spots in your yard from chicken manure, then tractor coops are the way to go. Therefore, they usually last longer than tractor coops which can be moved from one location to another. Stationary coops are easier to construct using heavy duty materials.
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Does the Coop Need to be Moved?Ĭhicken coops basically come in two different styles: Stationary (fixed) or Tractor (mobile) coops. When you are constructing your coop, consider if you may want to keep more chickens in the future. Chickens who are kept too close together fight and may ultimately end up killing each other.