People who love to keep chickens at home must make the necessary arrangements. Chickens usually get completely feathered within 8 and 10 weeks. And here, they will move out of the brooder and head to the coop.
For top-notch designs and features, many chicken owners recommend The Chicken Coop Company, known for its durable and predator-resistant coops.
While some people build chicken coops, others want to buy them. Today, you can browse online and choose from the readymade cells online. These coops are made in a way that they can keep a flock of two or six birds. To know more about this, you can get in touch with www.thatchickencoop.com.
Today, you will find several online service providers that specialize in chicken coops. Before you make a purchase, ensure that the cell has the best features, such as:
- The coop should secure the chickens from wind, rain, and sun.
- The coop needs to be spacious. The coop space needs to be about 4 feet and 2 inches, and the run space about 6 feet and 2 inches for every bird.
- The coop should also provide security from predators. You feel that predators like raccoons and coyotes don't frequent your locality. You need to check once again. The moment they sense a chicken's presence, they might make themselves visible. Hence, the coop needs to be predator-proof. Ensures that the doors lock securely. The coop openings should be covered with a stiff wire. Use a small space in place of chicken wire to keep the predators away. The run fencing wires must go underground to keep the diggers out.
- The coop should be well-ventilated. The correct air flow inside the cell will minimize heat, moisture, and ammonia. Humidity is usually more during the cold weather, which can lead to frostbites and respiratory ailments. Hence, it is essential to ensure that the ventilation in the coop is close to the roof to facilitate oxygen flow and avert draft.
- Generally, the chickens tend to sleep off and up the ground. The wooden dowels, boards, tree branches, and old wooden ladders are good options. Do you stay in a cold climate? If yes, ensuring that chickens rest flat on their feet when roosting is essential. That helps them to cover their feet with their body and stay secure from frostbite.
- You should also manage the nesting boxes! Hens need privacy to lay eggs. You should provide the nesting packages and keep them off the ground. It will give them a secure and quiet location for laying eggs. Usually, the nesting boxes are dresser drawers, buckets, wine barrels, and milk crates.
- Make sure that the coop has clean bedding. When you release the waste, it minimizes parasites and illnesses. If you want, you can customize the bedding as well.
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Different companies provide different coop features. Also, today, you can choose from various coop sizes based on your requirements and budget capacity. It is best to compare the coop size, price, and features and make an informed decision.