What is the best floor for chicken coops?
Many flooring options are good for your chicken coops. The most common is wood which is great, just make sure it stays dry and does not have any chemicals on it. Always provide ample bedding for your birds such as hay or pine littler which are available at feed stores.
Where do I position my chicken coop in my backyard?
Ideally, you want a quiet corner or spot on your property that is away from your house. It needs to be preferably on a high, well-drained area. You want ample air movement without a draft. Fresh air means fresh oxygen and movement to remove excess moisture, ammonia, and carbon dioxide which hens naturally give off.
It should be an area where the south sun reaches the chicken coop, and the outside pen for a large portion of the day.
How tall should the side fences be on the chicken yard? Is 6 feet sufficient?
Six feet is a common level for poultry fencing. 6 feet would be sufficient in most cases. There have been cases of chickens flying out even at that level, however.
What is the best material to spread on the coop floor?
Sand and saw dust works very well and can be used in wet and dry climates.
How much space do I need in my chicken house and run?
Inside 1 sqft minimum of floor space is good and outside 4 sqft is good. Please bear in mind that chickens like to huddle up at night. Will painting the interior of the coop cause any health risk to the hens? If the paint is non toxic, and well dried, with good ventilation, it should cause no harm to the hens.
How many nest boxes do I need?
Generally, 1 nesting area for every 2 hens.
Product Maintenance:
Our wooden chicken coops & runs have been treated with an animal friendly base coat of wood preservative both inside and out for the first 4 weeks. It’s important that your wooden coop & run are regularly cleaned out on a weekly basis and treated on a half yearly basis preferably before and after the Winter season. We recommend a high quality varnish, roof sealer, water replant or wood preservative be applied to the wood within the 1st month or before any heavy rain, paying attention to all roof edges, eves as well as all the joints. Otherwise the wood may dry out and become brittle, warped or look unsightly. If the coop & run is to be left outside then we recommend further coats of wood preserver be applied. A rust remover and rust protection paint should be used on the wire for the longevity of the wire.Always make sure to use non-toxic and animal friendly products. To make sure your coop & run stay looking great, it is recommended to position in an area that is protected and not exposed to the elements. We will not accept any claims for products that have been left without protection or not maintained.
