what makes a good chicken coop

What Makes a Good Chicken Coop? The Complete Guide

Raising backyard chickens is becoming increasingly popular among homesteaders, small farmers, and urban gardeners And for good reason – fresh eggs, pest control, compost from droppings, and adorable feathered friends! But keeping chickens begins with setting up proper housing – a good chicken coop

I’ve raised chickens for over a decade on my 5 acre homestead. In that time, I’ve learned a lot about chicken coop design and what truly makes a coop functional and safe for your flock. A good chicken coop needs to check all the boxes when it comes to protection, space, ventilation, ease of cleaning, durability, and accessibility. Read on as I break down the key elements of an ideal chicken coop.

Safety First – Secure Structure and Predator Protection

The primary purpose of a chicken coop is to keep your flock safe from predators and harsh weather. Sturdy construction and security measures should be your top priority.

• Use strong wood, concrete, or hardware cloth for the walls and roof. Avoid flimsy materials like chicken wire that can easily be chewed through.

• The coop must be predator proof with no gaps larger than 1/2 inch. Raccoons can fit through very small spaces.

• Bury hardware cloth 12+ inches underground to prevent digging under the walls. Use gravel or concrete for the most secure foundation.

• Install sturdy latches on all doors. I prefer barrel bolts or spring latches that are difficult for clever predators to open.

• Ensure the roof is weatherproof. Overhangs will help prevent rain from leaking inside.

• Build a covered outdoor run to allow safe outdoor access while you’re away. Use hardware cloth for roof and walls.

Ample Space Per Chicken

Overcrowding causes stress, feather picking, and potential illness. Each standard size chicken needs a minimum of 4 square feet of coop space and 8-10 square feet in the outdoor run. Large breeds require even more room.

• Calculate your flock size and required space before building. Err on the side of more space.

• Roosting bars should have 8-12 inches per bird. Build a ladder style roost at a 45 degree angle.

• Allow 1 nesting box per 3-4 hens. Boxes should be 12″ x 12″ x 12″ and lined with bedding.

• Build the run as large as possible. Chickens will use all the space you give them.

Proper Ventilation and Sunlight

Good airflow removes moisture, ammonia, and CO2 while sunlight maintains natural egg laying cycles.

• Install adjustable vents near the roof to let warm air escape.

• Windows are great for natural light but must be predator proof.

• Supplement daylight with LED bulbs in winter to sustain egg production.

• Orient the coop to maximize sun exposure throughout the day.

Easy Cleaning and Maintenance

A coop must be accessible and easy to clean to prevent disease.

• Include a human sized door for you and a small chicken door.

• Build a pull-out litter tray to quickly remove dirty bedding underneath roosts.

• Use durable, rot-resistant wood or plastic for easy cleaning. Metal rusts over time.

• Design roof overhangs to prevent rain from dripping into entry points or windows.

• Store feed securely in galvanized metal trash cans to prevent pests.

Additional Tips and Considerations

• Raise the coop 2-3 feet off the ground for ventilation, shade, and cleaning.

• Insulate walls and roof for warmth in cold climates.

• Add a heat lamp, heater, or heated waterer for extreme cold.

• Include roosting bars, feeders, and waterers inside the coop.

• Provide bedding like pine shavings on the floor to absorb moisture.

• Supplement feed with oyster shell for calcium and optimal egg shell strength.

• Keep bedding clean and dry to prevent frostbite in winter.

• Consider giving chickens access to sunlight by installing a chicken run.

• Make sure the chicken coop has proper ventilation to prevent overheating.

• In hot climates, use shade cloth or position the coop in a shaded area.

• Misters or fans can help cool chickens on extremely hot days.

• Design the coop to be easily accessible for feeding, watering, and egg collecting.

• Use galvanized hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, which can easily be chewed through by predators.

• Bury hardware cloth 12 inches underground around the perimeter to prevent digging predators.

• Ensure any openings or windows are covered with hardware cloth for proper ventilation without allowing predators inside.

• Avoid using wood directly on the ground, as it will quickly rot. Use a concrete base or raise the coop up.

• Make sure to have proper roof overhangs to prevent rain from blowing inside the coop during storms.

• Orient the coop to face east to maximize morning sun exposure.

• Supplement with LED lighting on shorter winter days to sustain egg production.

With attention to all these elements – security, space, ventilation, ease of use, durability, and accessibility – you will have a coop that keeps your chickens healthy, safe, and productive for years to come. Do your planning and research up front, and the day to day care of your flock will be a breeze. The initial investment of time and money to build a quality coop will pay dividends down the road. Just be sure not to skimp on the essentials. Happy chicken keeping!

The “90/10 rule” for chickens refers to a feeding guideline that recommends 90% of a chicken’s daily diet should be a complete feed, while the remaining 10% can be treats.

The best thing to put on the bottom of a chicken coop depends on your priorities, but a combination of materials like wood chips, sand, and a solid base like concrete or plywood is often recommended for a healthy and easy-to-maintain environment.