Raising chickens has increased in popularity over the last decade as people learn more about climate change and sustainability. Establishing a flock of backyard birds today has never been more popular.
Like baking bread or planting a victory garden, there’s something warm and comforting about taking on responsibilities of a rural nature. If you’re considering introducing some little cluckers to the neighborhood, there’s nothing more important than where your girls will roost: a chicken coop.
Whether you’re thinking about raising them for eggs, food, or companionship, chickens are creatures that have particular needs so they may flourish. These 17 best hen houses will not only make your flock cluck for joy but will make your job taking care of them a lot easier and more fun.
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $744.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $239.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $254.25 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $186.94 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $289.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $374.98 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $119.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $249.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $119.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $269.95 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $209.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $182.68 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $249.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $149.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $189.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $89.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
|
Amazon Customer Reviews
|
Price: $179.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
-
1. SnapLock Formex Large Chicken Coop
Pros:- Durable and weather-resistant
- Incredibly easy assembly
- The overall look of the coop is really great
Cons:- Not easy to customize
- That mustard-yellow is sort of blah
- Not sure how well insulated the panels are
If you’re looking for a chicken coop that will last a few years with very little weathering, then the SnapLock Formex Large Chicken Coop might be right up your alley. It’s made of impact, UV, water, and chemical-resistant thick plastic. All of the pieces snap together so there’s very little assembly work to be done.
If you’ve ever seen those chunky plastic playground toys, that’s about what this hen house is like. Even the roof is made of molded plastic panels with a shingle pattern. The color is a sort of mustard-yellow which is benign enough to fit in with just about any household decor.
Large dark-colored trays line the interior of every space; simply pull them out and hose them down to clean. Three perching rods can also be taken out and cleaned easily. In fact, the entire assembly is so simple to put together that an urban farmer could take the entire house apart for cleaning or relocation very easily.
Yes, this coop is a lot more expensive but just think of how much longer this hen house will be around for. I’m guessing it will far outlast your desire to raise chickens! It’s worth it.
Find more SnapLock Formex Large Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
2. PawHut 83 Inch Backyard Chicken Coop
Pros:- Hinged nesting box top
- Screened windows for ventilation
- Large outdoor run
Cons:- Ramp needs grip tape
- Great kit to start but will need fortification
- Wire mesh should be modified to protect better against predators
Find more PawHut 83 Inch Backyard Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
3. Precision Pet Cape Cod Chicken Coop
Pros:- Good for chickens, rabbits, or ducks
- Clear instruction manual
- Wire mesh secure and well-designed
Cons:- Needs time for stain fumes to dissapate after unpacking
- Material quality should be higher
- Two small for more than two birds
The Precision Pet Cape Cod Chicken Coop is large enough for a maximum of two hens, maybe three if you’re thinking of raising bantam chickens. It measures 3′ x 5′, features instructions that are simple to follow, and a pre-fab construction that makes it easy for one person to build in around an hour with just a screwdriver (although I’d recommend a cordless drill with a screw bit). This is a nice-looking house for your birds with stained wood clapboard siding and sturdy wire-mesh screening.
There are two large doors in front allowing for easy access to the interior of the coop. A pull-out tray for catching droppings makes cleaning the coop a lot easier. The white window and door trim make for a good contrast adding to the overall good look of the structure. An access ramp leads down from the living quarters to a large scratching area however larger birds will have a tough time accessing the portion underneath the main coop.
Some things to keep in mind with the Precision Pet Cape Cod Chicken Coop: build the coop at its final location or at least before attaching the roof. It’s fairly heavy. You may want to consider adding wire mesh or hardware cloth to the underside of the frame to prevent burrowing animals like squirrels, moles, etc. Finally, consider adding ventilation to the upper portion of the coop.
All that said, this is a great, compact chicken coop kit for a couple of birds for your backyard farm.
Find more Precision Pet Cape Cod Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
4. New Age Pet EcoFlex Chicken Barn
Pros:- This coop will last a very long time
- Predators will have a tough time getting in this house
- The barn look is pretty great
Cons:- Unfinished material ends in some places
- No sliding trays for cleaning
- Chicken run is sold separately
The Fontana Chicken Barn by New Age Pet is made of something they call “EcoFlex”, a recycled wood/polymer blend that provides non-toxic durability for your chickens. It’s resistant to moisture, warping, cracking, splitting, and is virtually maintenance-free. Think of vinyl fencing and you have the idea.
Assembly is simple and straight-forward. There’s one average door/ramp at the front of the coop to let the girls in and out. A hinged roof over the nesting box on the left side provides access to remove eggs when it’s time.
The coop comes in two colors: a drab tan and a very barnyard-looking red. If you don’t like either of those choices, sorry…this stuff is next to impossible to paint. I’m not sure why there aren’t any sliding refuse trays included with the coop, which is a shame. And if you want a chicken run, there’s one available but it’s sold separately.
Find more New Age Pet EcoFlex Chicken Barn information and reviews here.
-
5. Aleko Wooden Chicken Coop
Pros:- Big front and back doors
- Two nesting areas with three boxes per side
- Large perching area
Cons:- Wooden shingles
- No chicken run
- Door hardware is not lockable
The Aleko Wooden Chicken Coop features a 62″ x 39″ x 45″ footprint with room enough for four larger chickens. What it lacks in bells and whistles it makes up for with efficient use of space. The coop is basically a large box for the birds to perch in with a nesting box on either side. Each nesting box features a hinged roof to easily harvest eggs every day. The whole floor is a galvanized sheet of light-gauge steel wrapped with stained fir and pushes out for effortless cleaning.
The Aleko assumes that you have or are intending on building a fenced area for your chickens. Other coops are more petite but incorporate a chicken run; this coop is much larger but at the same price as those other kits with no area for your girls to scratch. The complete house is elevated off the ground and supported by four posts capped with plastic feet. Because of its square shape, there’s little chance any varmints will tip it over.
Find more Aleko Wooden Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
6. Pets Imperial Monmouth Deluxe Chicken Coop
Pros:- Almost seven feet long
- Lockable hardware
- Tongue-in-groove clapboard siding
Cons:- Not as large as online photos will have you believe
- Unsteady structure
- Shipped in two separately delivered boxes
The Pets Imperial Monmouth Deluxe Chicken Coop is a solid option to keep your chickens safe and comfortable in your backyard or garden. The entire roof lifts up for easy access to the birdhouse and chicken run at the same time. This is a nice feature however the sturdiness of the structure suffers slightly because of it. At 6’7″ x 2’5″ x 3’4″, it’s a decent size for two to three average-sized chickens or a couple more of a smaller breed. This chicken house is one of many from this vendor that is packaged and sent in two separate boxes, doubling the chances that your shipment may be damaged. Why this occurs is a mystery and an unfortunate inconvenience that I hope they rectify in the future.
Other coops this size with a house and scratching area have a sloped roof leading down over the ramp; the Monmouth is one rectangular box which gives the chickens a lot more headroom. The large door leading into the run is a nice feature. Keep in mind that the entire structure is only 3’4″ so it doesn’t dominate your yard but for hens clucking around it’s a nice change of pace. The galvanized metal floor tray can be slid out from the front of the hen house however there is a second floor underneath, allowing the birds to stay in place while cleaning. The Monmouth coop comes with two ventilation slots which can be covered in winter. The house is made with tongue-in-groove boards which are of fairly good quality and the stain used looks great.
Find more Pets Imperial Monmouth Deluxe Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
7. Pets Imperial Clarence Chicken Coop
Pros:- Hinged roof and nesting box
- Decent ventilation
- Galvanized pull-out drawer
Cons:- Small for price
- Reports of damage in shipping
- Poor instructions
Right off the bat, allow me to say that the Pets Imperial Clarence Chicken Coop is great looking. I love the lightly stained (animal-friendly!) tongue-in-groove siding and the compact footprint. Good for two average-sized birds, there is more than enough comfort for your chickens to cozily lay their eggs and perch at night. A decent-sized chicken run is open and airy with galvanized wire screens to keep out the bad guys looking for a free meal.
What I liked most about the Clarence is how many access points it has to service the coop. The roof, the nesting box, the front, back, and sides all have doors and lids to open it wide. Pets Imperial would do well to cut down on the hype included in their sales verbiage (“enhance its outstanding, awesome, fantastic build quality”) as this is a prefab chicken coop. That said, this chicken coop kit is a good choice to house your girls. Understand that, like all kits, you will need a rudimentary knowledge of tools and materials when putting it together.
Find more Pets Imperial Clarence Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
8. Best Choice Products 70-Inch Mobile Chicken Coop
Pros:- Tractor wheels and handle keeps things mobile
- Great looking natural wood construction
- Large nesting box with removable divider
Cons:- The plexiglass roof is nice for warmer climates but northern folks should beware
- Wooden shingles will need to be replaced much faster than asphalt
- More than three birds are going to be crowded
This rustic looking chicken coop from Best Choice Products features handy wheels and a lift handle so you can introduce your birds to different areas of the backyard. It also allows for some yard maintenance from time to time. Moving the coop to different patches of ground every couple of days will reduce the damage your chickens will make and also give them some badly needed variety.
The chicken run area doesn’t feature an asphalt or shingled roof but a translucent piece of UV-resistant plexiglass that diffuses sunlight. Your birds can get some sun while not overheating this way. The coop is large enough for three average-sized birds and features three access points with locking mechanisms.
The open areas are screened with galvanized wire mesh to help keep out raccoons and other pests. A slide-out tray makes cleaning your hen house a lot easier, too. The entire assembly is constructed of weather-resistant natural fir but I’d recommend applying a non-toxic sealant just in case.
Find more Best Choice Products 70-Inch Mobile Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
9. Gojooasis Wooden Chicken Coop
Pros:- Lockable door hardware
- Hinged nesting box roof
- Larger run available for purchase to increase your bird's living footprint
Cons:- Cheap construction
- You will need to customize for winter months
- No door on hutch
If you’re looking to get into raising chickens but you’re not sure how much you want to initially invest in your setup, the Gojooasis Wooden Chicken Coop offers a potential, low-cost, housing solution. Keep in mind that because it doesn’t cost as much as other coop kits, you need to keep your expectations reasonable. This coop checks all of the boxes including suitable wood materials, wire-mesh fencing, a removable sliding tray, etc., but the tolerances aren’t quite as tight and the hardware isn’t as shiny as higher-priced options.
The size is comparable to other similar chicken houses but Gojooasis offers a larger chicken run for purchase that can be attached to the existing run that makes for a large, enclosed poultry playground. That’s a great idea for folks looking to give their birds a larger area to scratch around in. The window in the house allows for decent ventilation. The roof is covered with green asphalt to keep out the water and other elements.
With this GoJooasis Wooden Chicken Coop, you should plan on covering the windows with transparent plastic for colder months and providing some wire mesh under the coop footprint to keep out critters but if you’re just kicking the tires, this is a good entry-level house for your chickens.
Find more Gojooasis Wooden Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
10. PawHut 91-Inch Deluxe Large Grey Chicken Coop
Pros:- Easy to access chicken house
- Large 91-inch footprint
- Pleasing wood color with green asphalt shingles
Cons:- Thin wood used in construction
- Run isn't very accessible for cleaning
- You'll need to install a perch for your chickens
This rustic PawHut 91-inch Deluxe Chicken Coop is a cottage-type hutch that is good for two small hens or other small animals. The two-level setup gives your chickens room to move around and rest while the wire enclosed area keeps them contained and away from predators. Multiple doors and a slide-out middle tray give access to the interior structure for cleaning.
The two external ramps allow your birds to enter the raised housing area on both sides. Crafted from fir and steel wire for superior strength and durability with green asphalt roof shingles that provide some weatherproofing, this chicken house is sealed with non-toxic, environmentally friendly paint.
While the footprint of the chicken coop is 89.5″ L x 27.5″ W x 39.5″ H, keep in mind that this is going to be suitable for two small chickens at most. You would do well to further secure the security wire and take some steps to weatherproof the house but the PawHut 91-inch Deluxe Chicken Coop is of reasonable quality for the price.
Find more PawHut 91-Inch Deluxe Large Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
11. PawHut Wooden Chicken Coop with Outdoor Run
Pros:- Asphalt shingle roof
- Slide-out pan tray
- Lockable door hardware
Cons:- Slightly smaller than advertised
- No hutch door
- Requires anchor stakes or it could be tipped over by critters
The PawHut Wooden Chicken Coop with Outdoor Run will provide your chickens with a simple style that’s also functional. This chicken chateau features indoor and outdoor spaces for your birds to enjoy and protection from predators and weather. The nesting box has a hinged roof panel so you can access the interior to harvest your eggs easily. Doors on the front of the house and the run are lockable but unfortunately there’s not a door on the hutch as well. The taller run underneath the house is a nice touch for your chickens.
This coop kit has an elevated house, nesting box, chicken run, ramp, and doors, all made of fir that’s a faded, natural wood color that looks nice without the flash. The main house has a raised perch to keep your chickens safe and dry and a removable, sliding tray for easy cleaning. Depending on your size of chickens, the PawHut coop is large enough for two average birds and four to five small ones. The house window allows light and fresh air into the interior although you may want to install a hard transparent material for the winter.
Assembly is simple with the included tool kit however I’m sure you have better tools of your own to use! Do yourself a favor and pre-drill holes before installing the hardware. One more thing: it would be advisable to anchor your coop down in some fashion. Because of its proportions, I could see your average trash panda tipping this coop over with no problem whatsoever!
Find more PawHut Wooden Chicken Coop with Outdoor Run information and reviews here.
-
12. Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop
Pros:- Good value for the price
- Quick to assemble
- Very easy to move
Cons:- No attached chicken run
- You'll need to add more security options if you live around predators
- It's not exactly weatherproof
Extremely easy to put together, the Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop won’t take you more than 30 minutes to build. This kit is a great value for the purchase price. Although your chickens will need either to be free-range or a chicken run, this is a nice overnight coop for your girls for protection from predators and the elements. This coop looks great and comes in a red or a gray color. The interior is very easy to clean especially if you install a hinge on the roof rather than nailing it down. Including the nesting box, it’s a perfect size for four to five chickens. Online reviews claim as many as eight to nine chickens like to sleep in just one of these coops! Your chickens’ size and breed will dictate what makes sense to use with the Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop.
Find more Petsfit Weatherproof Outdoor Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
13. Zoovilla Country Style Chicken Coop
Pros:- Two large nesting boxes and four lockable doors
- Can hold up to six bantam hens
- Lockable hinged nesting box roofs
Cons:- Reports of damage in shipping
- Be prepared to doctor up the kit yourself against predators
- Thin material
The title of Zoovilla’s Country Style Chicken Coop makes me think of those products out there that have a mainstream version and then a rougher version designed to attract customers that want to get their rural on. This particular chicken house kit does indeed sport a unique look than other coops on our list and it definitely has some charm. What I like most is how open the structure can be. It seems like every wall or roof can be folded up and over for access to the structure.
While the Zoovilla folks claim that this Country Style Coop is good for six hens, you’re going to max out at four average size birds. The security wire and latches are good but you might want to upgrade to some better hardware so those pesky raccoons can’t get in. There’s a removable tray for easy cleaning, two hinged nesting boxes (also lockable), and black asphalt roof panels to keep your chickens safe and dry. This patio hutch is great for your hobby farm in a suburban area. Hardware and instructions are included.
Find more Zoovilla Country Style Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
14. PawHut Wood Indoor Outdoor Chicken Coop
Pros:- Waterproof roof and sides made of insulated, polycarbonate panels
- Lockable doors
- Hardware to assemble coop included
Cons:- Smaller than advertised
- Reports of damage in shipping
- Difficult feeder access
Your feathered friends will find a comfortable space to live in with the PawHut Wood Indoor Outdoor Chicken Coop. I’m not sure why anyone would have a chicken coop inside but that’s what the PawHut people call it. This coop is made of a whitewashed fir frame and gray, polycarbonate side panels. The roof is hinged and waterproof so you can check on how your cluck club is doing.
Cozy nesting boxes make for a great place for your girls to lay eggs; simply raise the roof and gather when ready. The simple look and feel will be a handsome addition to your backyard efforts. The structure has multiple openings for your chickens to go in and out and for you to access for cleaning, replacing bedding, food, and water. A sliding drawer beneath the perch is great to keep the coop clean and is virtually invisible when closed.
The size of the chicken coop is not as large as a misleading promotional photo would have you believe. It’s good for two large chickens at most or maybe four or five smaller breeds. The coop measures 63″ x 29.5″ x 31.5″. That said, I like the proportions of the coop kit with the simple living area and large, open chicken run.
Find more PawHut Wood Indoor Outdoor Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
15. Aivituvin Chicken Coop
Pros:- Egg-cellent for two to three small breeds
- House is situated in the middle with run on either side and underneath
- Removable PVC bottom layer for easy exterior cleaning
Cons:- Hardware quality is inconsistent
- Difficult to assemble
- No nesting boxes or perch poles included
If you’re thinking of raising a small breed of chicken like a bantam, the Aivituvin Chicken Coop might be the perfect solution for you. It’s primarily designed to act as a rabbit hutch however it’s layout, size, and access points make it a great candidate to raise small birds. The main house is large enough for two to three small chickens and features a ramp on either side into a roomy chicken run. Multiple doors with metal latches allow for plenty of access into the coop.
The Aivituvin is an attractive grey color with matching asphalt roof panels giving it a nice contrast to your lawn and vegetable garden. It’s a good looking coop. To keep your chickens happy, you will most likely want to install a small perch post and something to act as a nesting box. That aside, this is a nice size for any backyard and a good part of your suburban farm.
Find more Aivituvin Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
16. Friday Discount Backyard Farm Chicken Coop
Pros:- Good for a small backyard environment
- Entire roof opens up for easy access
- Hinged chicken run top
Cons:- Critters will be able to get into this incredibly easily
- Hardware is not lockable
- Run under house is too small for chickens
The Friday Discount Backyard Chicken Coop is exactly what its name implies: a small house for your hens meant for a backyard setting. It’s cute, opens up like a knife used by that certain European army, and doesn’t take up a lot of room. That said, this coop would be better used for rabbits or other small animals. Someone could raise, at most, two chickens in this coop but that’s it.
The coop itself is made of some good quality fir stained with an environmentally-friendly varnish. Green asphalt shingles protect against rain and look good with the wood color. The structure is open on the bottom so also think about getting some hardware cloth to keep the critters out. This particular coop features a pull-out drawer but this one happens to be made of plastic.
Something to keep in mind with this Friday Discount coop is that it doesn’t include any locking hardware…and I barely call the spinning block of wood that blocks opening the doors “hardware”. Predators, particularly raccoons, are crafty and will open the door latches up with no problem. If you have an inkling that you may have pests in your neighborhood (and you most certainly do), make sure to upgrade to some better hardware. Don’t forget to latch the chicken run top!
Find more Friday Discount Backyard Farm Chicken Coop information and reviews here.
-
17. Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop and Poultry Cage
Pros:- Comes packaged with a UV and water-resistant cover
- Mesh is coated with PVC
- Door is lockable with a latch and steel wire ties for extra safety
Cons:- Great fenced enclosure but designed to work with a chicken coop
- Awkward to put together on your own; get a buddy
- It could use some caster wheels for easier movement
So let’s say you find the cutest chicken coop that matches your home and garden perfectly…but you need an enclosure so your girls can roam a little freer than you have room for. The Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop and Poultry Cage is your answer! Featuring a high-quality, galvanized steel frame and PVC-coated wire mesh walls, this large chicken run is a great addition to your birdhouse. It’s light enough to move but you may need another person to help because of its size. The cage has a lockable steel door with a latch and steel wire ties. If you are going to leave it in one place permanently, think about anchoring the cage to the ground and adding an electric fence.
Find more Polar Aurora Large Metal Chicken Coop and Poultry Cage information and reviews here.
What Should I Think About Before I Purchase A Chicken Coop Kit?
Chickens bring a little more sustainability to your life. They may be raised for food or eggs, of course, but they also provide some amazing benefits to your landscaping. Chickens control pests like crickets, grasshoppers, snails, and slugs, without resorting to chemicals and insecticides.
These hard-working birds will also clear weeds, fallen fruit, and will eat food scraps from salads, vegetable peelings, rice, fruits, nuts, and seeds. Their droppings are very high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, all major ingredients in bagged fertilizer. When mixed in with compost, it makes an excellent fertilizer.
There are many resources available online with knowledgable guides of which birds will work best in your backyard. Different breeds have different attributes including space needed to roam, flying capabilities, and whether they are good egg layers or not.
Be courteous and let your neighbors know that you're going to raise chickens. More likely than not they will be good with it (especially when farm fresh eggs might be available!) but understand that chickens can be noisy in the early morning.
You’ll also need to check local regulations and zoning restrictions for your municipality. Are chickens allowed? How many per acre? Are roosters approved?
Make no mistake: taking care of a new flock of chickens is a big job. They are animals that require a varied diet, more water than you’d think, room to roam around and scratch, and, ideally, entertainment (I’m not kidding). They can be loud, dirty, and even a little ornery.
You’ll need to clean up after them and keep their feed in pest-proof containers. And your chickens will look to you for protection from predators like foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and coyotes.
On top of that, chickens are farm animals and should be treated as such. Always wash your hands and keep yourself, your birds, and your surroundings clean. Read this recent report from the Center of Disease Control regarding the safe handling of your animals.
However, just like other pets, chickens provide a large number of benefits both tangible and not. They’re social, lively, and actually quite affectionate. Once you have some experience with them in your backyard, chickens may cluck their way up to the number one spot in your heart.
What Features Should A Good Chicken Coop Have?
Like all animals, chickens have basic needs. A good hen house should address these needs and also provide a few extras for their (and your) happiness. Your new coop should have a secure house that protects against the elements and predators and also some sort of penned area (chicken run) where they may dig and scratch during the day.
Chickens, depending on the breed and the particular weather where you live, are hearty animals and can handle temperature changes accordingly. They will still need some shelter that your coop will provide. Make sure it is well ventilated.
Heat, humidity, and moisture inside the coop will make your birds uncomfortable, or worse, sick. The coop should feature a strong mesh all around to keep out unwanted visitors and a tightly-woven, wire mesh floor to prevent snakes and other predators that may burrow in.
In the wild, chickens perch in high branches for security. Domesticated birds are no different and prefer to sleep at the highest point in their coop. Make sure the perches in your birdhouse encourage this and are higher than the nesting boxes in your coop. Your birds will most likely not lay eggs all at once but plan on having one nesting box for every three chickens anyway.
Chickens, while being social animals, require space of their own to stretch their legs. Whichever space you provide will need to have enough room to roost and scratch around. Plan on three square feet per bird inside your coop and ten in the chicken run. Small yards can accommodate two to five chickens while medium yards may have space for ten.
Look for a chicken coop kit that is easy to assemble, features detailed instructions (hopefully with online videos), and is packed flat for simple transport. Consider how you’ll clean the coop because you will be doing a lot of it. Some coops, called tractors, have wheels that enable movement to different parts of the yard giving the chickens a change of scenery (and your lawn a break from the scratching).
Chicken coop kits provide the basics for your hen housing but don't be afraid to upgrade. Get your tools ready to install insulation, provide more perch areas, or even expand the scratching area. And if you don't have a rake and a wheelbarrow by now, it's time to get one if you're raising chickens.
Your new chicken ranch should complement your backyard and your landscaping. You got into this for some amount of fun, right? Paint your coop with exterior house paint to create a fun, clucky oasis for your new birds.
What Else Will I Need With My Chicken Coop?
Consider some extra amenities for your hen house that will make caring for your birds a whole lot easier. Floor trays that can be removed and cleaned are absolutely necessary. Understand that the bedding will need to be changed often; a compostable material such as these bedding liners made of aspen shavings is a must.
Will your chickens roam freely? You’ll need some poultry fencing to keep your birds in check...and also to protect your vegetable garden. Make sure it’s easy to set up and move as your needs change during the year. Electric options might be a very good idea depending on what kind of critters you have in your neck of the woods!
Save yourself a great deal of trouble by keeping your chicken feed in pest-free containers. The last thing you want is a mouse problem because of easy access to food. Chickens don’t have the best table manners. They’ll make a real mess at dinnertime. Consider a treadle feeder that prevents spillage and keeps pests away (and saves you money from lost food).
Your chickens will need some TLC here and there; pick up a pet first aid kit to supplement your veterinarian visits. And, believe it or not, chickens will enjoy a chicken swing more than you know. They will love to sway back and forth while pecking at the baubles hanging from it.
And since you most likely got into this to harvest eggs, get an egg skelter to help you organize your harvest and keep it all fresh!
See Also: