10 Essentials For A Chicken Coop
Raising chickens can be an incredibly rewarding experience, providing you and your family with fresh eggs. Chickens can be raised in both urban and agricultural settings. But before you start your own backyard or farm flock, it’s important to understand the basics of purchasing a chicken coop.
With so many different models and designs on the market with significant variations in quality, you have many choices. It can be overwhelming to make the right decision for you and your chickens. This blog will provide you with an ultimate guide to purchasing the best chicken coop houses, outlining the 10 chicken coop essentials.
Table of Contents
1. Size of Your Flock
When purchasing a chicken coop, it’s important to consider the size of your flock. This will help you determine how large of a coop you need and what kind of materials should be used in its construction. Some considerations include the number of birds that you plan on raising, their individual sizes, the types of chickens (larger breeds require bigger coops), and the amount of space each chicken will need in the coop.
Experts recommend that you allow at least 4 square feet inside the coop for a standard breed chicken. In the outdoor chicken run, you should allow at least 4 square feet per chicken also. Again, larger breeds require more space.
2. What is the Coop Made Of?
The construction materials for your coop are also an important factor to consider. You want to make sure that the material is strong, durable, and withstanding of weather conditions such as rain, snow, and other elements. Choose materials that are easy to clean and maintain, such as galvanized steel.
Some coops even have a metal pan at the bottom of the coop that you can remove for cleaning. If this works for you, it is a lot easier than shoveling the manure out of the coop several times a year.
3. Location of the Coop
Location is also an important factor when it comes to a coop. You’ll want to keep the coop in an outdoor backyard or barn area that gets plenty of sunlight, as well as protection from predators. It should be near enough to your home so that you can easily check on your chickens, but far enough away that they’re not a nuisance. The coop should be appropriate for outdoor and yard use.
4. Style and Design of Your Coop
When selecting a coop, it’s important to choose a style and design that complements your home or farm. There are many different styles and designs on the market, from simple wooden coops to elaborate metal ones such as a galvanized metal chicken coop . Think about what style will work best for your property and determine how much space you have available for the coop. For it to last, choose a coop made of high quality material.
Some roofs are made of galvanized metal while others are an asphalt shingle roof. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
5. Adequate Ventilation
Check if your choice of coop has adequate ventilation. Make sure it has enough ventilation to keep the air flowing and provide your chickens with a comfortable environment, yet safe from other outdoor elements. If possible, inspect the coop before you buy it to make sure there are no gaps in the walls or roof that could allow predators in.
6. Invest in Quality Doors, Locks, and Latches
In order to keep your chickens safe, it’s essential to invest in quality doors, locks, and latches for the coop. Look for strong materials that will be difficult for predators to break or chew through. If available, a safe galvanized lockable door will easily prevent any predators entering. Also make sure that all openings have a secure closure, so they won’t accidentally swing open and put your chickens at risk.
7. Will Your Coop Need Insulation?
Depending on where you live, your coop may need additional insulation to keep your chickens warm during the outdoor elements of the colder months. Look for materials that are easy to install and can effectively insulate the structure.
Make sure that the insulation itself is not available to the chickens for they will peck at it; it should be covered. Good insulation will help ensure that your chickens remain healthy year-round.
8. Nesting Boxes, Feeders, Waterers?
You may need to purchase nesting boxes if they don’t come with the coop. You will have to purchase feeders and waterers. Make sure these products are made from durable materials that won’t rust or deteriorate quickly.
There are a variety of feeders and waterers on the market, but you might want to look for the larger chicken feeder and chicken waterer that can keep your chickens supplied longer term than the smaller ones. If you can find them, it means you won’t have to add food or water every couple of days, but could possibly just take care of this chore on the weekends.
9. Ensure that the Coop is Predator-Proof
Predators can be a major threat to your chickens, so it’s important to make sure your coop is properly secured. Even the neighborhood or area dogs and cats present a danger to your chickens. Look for features like secure locks and reinforced walls that will help protect your birds from potential predators.
10. Does It Meet Local Codes and Regulations?
Make sure the coop you choose meets local codes and regulations. Before you purchase a coop, it’s important to make sure it meets all local codes and regulations. These requirements vary from city to city or county to county, so do your research before committing to a particular model.
What’s Next?
By following this comprehensive guide, you now have an understanding of the 10 essential things to consider when purchasing a chicken coop. Now it’s time to start shopping for the perfect coop for your flock. Check out our suggestions below.
The coops listed below have all been chosen because they meet certain criteria. I have looked at hundreds of chicken coops, and found that for the most part, the cheaper the coop, the cheaper the construction, and the ratings showed it. Most coops that I looked at had ratings in the 2-3 star range. This is not always true, but it seemed to be a pattern. I am not willing to recommend those coops to you. As a result, I am only presenting chicken coops with at least a 4 out of 5-star rating.
The Best Chicken Coop Will Have
- Good ventilation
- An attached chicken run
- Nest boxes accessible from the outside.
There are other features that you might find desirable, but these, I believe, are important.
Best for 3 Chickens
The Hanover Outdoor Elevated Wooden Coop with Ramp is everything you would ever want in a chicken coop. The spacious chicken living quarters are upstairs with a ramp going down to an enclosed chicken run which is beneath the coop.
The run provides space both in the sun and shade. There are 2 nesting boxes accessible from the outside. The coop itself is made out of wood, and has a removable metal tray (for cleaning), ramp, hardware, assembly instructions, and warranty.
Note: this chicken coop is available from a number of stores, but this is the cheapest price for this coop that I could find.
$359.00 Click Here to learn more!
Best for 6 Chickens
The Producer’s Pride Sentinel Chicken Coop is a steel-framed chicken coop that can comfortably accommodate up to 6 chickens. It has an extended roosting bar and 3 large nesting boxes. Made of reinforced thick wood panels, it has a wood ramp, sliding door for coop entrance, easy-to-clean metal slide-out tray, as well as many more features.
$399.99 CLICK HERE to learn more
Best for 10 Chickens
The Petmate Superior Construction Chicken Coop has an 8-10 chicken capacity. It is built to last with 200% thicker wood panels (unstained so you can paint or stain as you wish) and a durable plastic roof. Very easy to assemble, it has adjustable rear ventilation and 3 nesting boxes accessible from the outside. It also has an extra tall cleaning tray which allows for a deeper layer of bedding and easier cleaning.
$599.99 CLICK HERE to learn more
Two Interesting Chicken Coop Styles
Neither of these coops has a chicken run attached, but I found their designs so unique I wanted to let you see if they would work for you. If you like one of them, I have listed some chicken runs that Vevor has on sale and you could put one of those over the coop. Just an idea.
Pets Imperial Grey Hawksmoor Chicken Coop
The Pets Imperial Grey Hawksmoor Chicken Coop had to be designed by an engineer because it has so many different features that work well for chickens. It is totally fox-proof and has a galvanized metal pull-out cleaning tray. This coop will work for 3-4 chickens. It is made of animal-friendly treated timber and is designed to last for years.
You will need a chicken run for it, and as I said, Vevor has some really nice ones on sale for reasonable prices. See below.
Be sure to watch this video – the features will amaze you!
$249.99 CLICK HERE for more info!
Small Over EZ Chicken Coop for 5 Chickens
The Small Over EZ Chicken Coop for 5 Birds is not going anywhere because it is so well-built! Constructed by Amish-trained craftsmen in the US, the coop is made of heavy-duty wood for durability. It will assemble in less than 30 minutes with only a screw gun. Floor and siding materials are designed for superior moisture resistance. The roof profile is designed so that the rain and snow will run off the back of the coop, keeping water away from the nesting boxes. This is one superior product!
$1199.99 CLICK HERE for more info!
Chicken Runs
Sometimes you just need a chicken run, and these runs presented by Vevor are reasonable and extremely useful–not only for chickens but any pet you wish to contain such as puppies or rabbits. If you click on Vevor, search for “chicken run.”
This particular beauty is on sale for $219.99, but if you register on the site, you can get it for $167.99.
This is the Vevor Large Metal Chicken Coop with Run. It is made of a strong steel frame and thick PVC coated wire mesh. It is made for outdoor use and will withstand predators. It has a water-proof cover which will protect from sun or rain. This is a walk-in poultry cate area, so it will be easy for you to clean, plus allow your chickens room to roam. Vevor has a number of other siizes and all of them are well-priced.
Wishing You Great Fun and Big Profits from Your Chickens!
I do hope my research will help you find just the right chicken coop for your small farm or backyard. There is nothing quite like sitting outside hearing the contented clucking of your hens as they wander in their chicken run.
