Incorporationperfect chicken coopfor your flock is not an easy task. In addition to finding the right size, style and safety level, there are many additional accessories and equipment you will need. To make this task easier, we've put together a list of 7 must-haves for chicken coops. Keep reading to learn more about what chicken coops need.
1. Nest boxes
Chickens need a designated place to lay their eggs; otherwise they choose whatever angle they can find. This can lead to broken eggs in your chicken coop and a frustrating scavenger hunt every day. Nest boxes create clean, comfortable places for egg laying that protect the eggs and make them easy to collect. With your chicken eggs in one place, you can also easily track increases or decreases in egg production and the health of your flock.
The location of the nest box is an important factor to ensure efficiency and use. They should be placed away from perches and roosts to stay clean and avoid collected feces. If the nest boxes are not clean, your chickens will be less likely to use them to lay eggs. When choosing a type of nest box for your home, we recommend poly nest boxes because they are durable and easy to clean. To make things easier for you, Space Makers offers the option to add poly nesting boxes to any coop you purchase. You need 1 nest box per 4 to 5 chicks; However, don't be surprised if your chickens have a favorite box that they all prefer to use.
2. Nest box Bedding and furnishings
Your chickens need access to fresh, clean bedding to stay happy and healthy. If a nest box has dirty bedding, your chickens may choose to lay their eggs outside the boxes, which can lead to cracked or hidden eggs. Popular loose bedding materials include straw, wood shavings and sand. One downside to these traditional materials is the ease with which your chickens can kick them around, creating a mess and breaking the eggs.
alternativecushions for nesting boxare difficult for chickens to remove and provide sufficient filling for the eggs. These inserts can also save time and money with reusable, easy-to-clean options. Unlike loose bedding, nest cushion inserts can be easily replaced if soiled. Some chicken owners swear by nest box inserts, while others stick to loose bedding. What you choose depends on the preferences of you and your chickens.
3. Hanging and perching poles
3. Hanging and perching polesHangers and perches are essential parts of any chicken coop. Chickens instinctively seek high perches while sleeping to be safe from ground-dwelling predators. This is an innate behavior that applies to all chickens, including chickens kept in cages. That said, general behavior isn't the only reason to add roosts and perches to your chicken coop. Hangers and perches prevent chickens from sleeping in nest boxes, which in turn prevents dirty litter, the spread of disease and a decrease in egg production.
To keep your chickens happy and their egg production up, Space Makers includes a nesting gate as standard in all coop interiors. If you want to add additional posts, ladders and perches outside the garden, you can easily do souse items you already have to create your own items.
4. Enrichment toys
Toys for mental stimulation and enrichment are often overlooked when setting up a chicken coop. Adding toys keeps chickens mentally occupied and prevents boredom. This in turn helps reduce anxiety and aggressive behavior such as feather pecking, pecking and bullying. Some toys and mentally stimulating activities you can include in your chicken coop include:
- Chicken chickskept low to the ground
- Sweets and food dispensers
- Fruits and vegetables hang on a string,net, ofspeer
- Mini xylophones and bells for hoeing
- Reflective, shiny objects such as CDs and mirrors
- Shred and chew toys
Enrichment toys and activities are not as important for free-range chickens that can forage and explore outside the yard. However, chickens that live on a farm and in an enclosed coop will benefit greatly from additional mental stimulation and enrichment. Best of all, there are many cheap onesDIY chicken toysyou can build your flock with supplies you already have!
5. Feeders and water bowls
5. Feeders and water bowlsAutomatic feeders and walkers are obvious essentials when making a list of chicken coop must-haves. Even if you know that your chickens should always have access to fresh water and food, you may not be sure which type of containers to choose. The best automatic feeders and waterers are those that your chickens cannot stand in. Containers where chickens can stand quickly become contaminated with manure and dirty litter.
Feeders and walkers thathang and have gate openingsare ideal options that reduce waste and remain unpolluted. In addition, if your chicken coop has electricity,heated water tanksare good upgrades for colder climates. With a heated water tank you don't have to worry about your chickens' water freezing in the winter.
6. Lighting
Installing indoor lighting in your chicken coop is more than just a handy addition for navigation. Indoor lighting helps with egg production during the winter months, when the days are shorter and your chickens receive less sunlight. If your chicken coop doesn't have electricity, solar lights work just as well.
Make sure all types of lighting in your chicken coop are on a timer or turned off at night. If you leave the lights in the barn on all night, your chickens may get too much light. In winter, light timers should be set for 14 to 16 hours to mimic the amount of sunlight that chickens would have in the warmer seasons. Additionally, a motion sensor light is a useful addition to the exterior of your chicken coop. Installing a motion sensor light outside your chicken coop, either solar or electric, can deter predators. To help you save time and money, all Space Makers chicken coops come with options for electric or solar lighting packages.
7. Diatoméjord
Although this is not absolutely decisive,food-safe diatomaceous earth (DE)can be a useful addition to your chicken coop. Diatomaceous earth is a powder or sand-like substance produced by aquatic organisms. This substance is popular for controlling pests and insects. Spreading food-grade DE under the bedding in your chicken coop can safely kill lice, mites, fleas and parasites. If you decide to use DE in your chicken coop, always use the food-safe version. Non-food-grade DE, also called "filter grade", is used to filter water and is toxic to humans and animals.
Although DE can be extremely helpful, it can cause dehydration and breathing problems. When using DE for the first time in your chicken coop, regularly check your chickens for skin, eye or respiratory reactions. There are mixed opinions about whether chickens can eat food-grade DE or come into direct contact with it in dust baths. Speak to a poultry veterinarian for further advice to determine if using food-grade DE is appropriate for your flock.
Make sure your Coop is safe
Make sure your Coop is safeWhile there are many supplies and accessories that will keep your chickens healthy and happy, the safety of your flock ultimately comes down to the safety level of their farm.Chicken coops at Space Makersis made with reliable components and materials to keep your chickens safe. Standard chicken coop features include lockable doors, durable siding, raised frames and enclosed run.
Chicken farm customization and extra features
Space Makers chicken coops are fully customizable and incorporate what is important to your unique flock. These stylish and functional hutches come with high-quality additions for maximum comfort, safety and easy maintenance. These additions include the following:
- Finished interior
- Automatic chicken doors
- Poly nesting boxes
- Epoxy floors that are easy to clean
- Bins
- Wire covered windows
- Wheels for transport
- Heated sleeping places
- Extractor fans
- Gable flaps
- Clean lid
- Solar packages
- Electricity packages
You can further customize your coop with weather vanes, domes, and custom colors to match your other buildings.
Interested in a custom-built or pre-built chicken coop from Space Makers Sheds?Speak to a member of our team todayor discover itwhich type of chicken coop suits you best!
