Requirements For Constructing A Chicken Coop
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Transcript of Requirements For Constructing A Chicken Coop
A coop is what you usually call a chicken’s house. It’s their kingdom! A hen’s
castle. So you have to be certain to keep their home well maintained, for this
may help the chickens grow healthy and happy. Therefore, to maintain it the
best way it should be, there are specific requirements to consider when build
a chicken coop that will satisfy both you and your chickens. You, the poultry
owner, of all people should keep this in mind.
Requirement 1
Concerning its design, the chicken coop should be secured from any kind of
predator. Every single angle in the pen - sides, bottom and top, should be built
to resist predators who are always looking for a free meal. When selecting a
wire mesh, be certain it is the right one. Predators are more than one. They
may lurk within the area of your coop unnoticed simply waiting for the time
after they can attack. You must be sure that the coop is impenetrable, and that
predators have no access.
Requirement 2
In reference to requirement number one, this is a continuation. Apart from
predators, you must keep the coop secure from nasty rats. They burrow
through the ground and enter from below. If the coop floor is not blocked,
these rodents will slip into the hen’s quarters. Rodents are attracted to the
food you’re giving your chickens and the chicken droppings.
What is even more devastating is that these pesky rats love eggs. So at any
time when laying season comes, they collect too. Wish to get rid of them? Good
idea. However prevention is much better than a cure. That's the reason
stopping them from coming into the pen is better than eliminating their
presence completely. All you need to do is assemble a floor inside the pen. You
can also bury a fence about 12 inches deep around the chicken coop. Make
certain that the materials that you use for the fence or floor are thick enough
that the rats cannot chew through..
Requirement 3
Weather is an important factor to consider when keeping chickens. The
chicken coop should have adequate ventilation, yet not be too drafty. Seasons
will change and so will the weather. That is why your coop should have
adequate ventilation to stay cool in the summer, and adequate insulation
against cold in the winter.
Requirement 4
Roosting bars have to be provided for your chickens to sleep. It must have an
approximate 2-inches wide, with rounded edges. You should have an 8 to 10
inch space between each bird. Put nest boxes in the chicken coop to encourage
egg laying. One nest box is needed for every 3 to 4 hens. Situate the nest boxes
above the ground, and don't let it touch the soil. Place these nesting boxes
somewhere non-public where nobody can bother the hens while they are
laying.
Requirement 5
Your coop has to have plenty of room for each chicken. You should have at
least three square feet for each bird. There must also be space where the
feeder and the waterer can hang which is 7-8 inches above the ground.