What does a basic chicken coop need?

These days chicken coops come in a wide variety of designs, but all coops should have the following basic elements: four walls, a roof, proper ventilation, nesting boxes, and roosts/perches. Many coops are also attached to a chicken run, so the hens can have an opportunity to stretch their legs and enjoy the fresh air.

How do you build a temporary chicken coop?

You can build a temporary chicken coop from scratch. You can build a box by nailing together five sheets of plywood for four walls and a roof, and cut a door on one side to allow your birds access to the outside. You can also use four (or more) fence posts to create a run.

How much ventilation do chicken coops need?

A chicken coop needs about 3-4 square feet of ventilation (including the pop door) in cold weather, and as much additional ventilation as possible in hot weather, typically in the form of windows, vents, and doors that can be opened when needed.

Why are drafts bad for chickens?

A draft blowing over your birds on summer nights is a good thing, cooling their bodies at the hottest time of the year. On the other hand, drafts of cold air in winter suck the heat right out of your coop. Your birds will need to eat more food just to stay warm, and older birds might get sick and die.

Do you put water and food in chicken coop?

The coop is for sleeping and laying and anything else they need should be provided in their run or outside. Having feed and water in the hen house encourages traffic in and out of the coop with more fouling of the bedding than necessary and increasing your maintenance and cleaning load.

What equipment do you need for chicken farming?

Poultry Equipment

• Poultry Nipple Systems & Fountains.
• Chicken Feeders & Troughs.
• Egg Handling Equipment.
• Poultry Housing & Chicken Coops.
• Chick-Inn Laying Nests & Accessories.
• Poultry Lights & Accessories.
• Poultry Brooders & Heaters.
• Poultry Coops & Cages.