Chicken Coop Info

You’re ready to dive into the fun and exciting world of poultry, but you don’t know what chicken house equipment you need. Here are 5 must-have’s for your home coop:

1. Nest box – Hens will lay eggs just about anywhere. So if you don’t want to go on an Easter egg hunt every time you’re in the mood for an omelet, add a nest box to your list of gotta-have chicken house equipment. The boxes are lined with straw or other padding to protect the eggs from breaking. If you’re looking for easy egg access, make sure your coop has exterior doors you can open from the outside so you can reach in to pick eggs. Nest boxes are available commercially, or you can save money by finding simple plans so you can build them yourself.

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2. Roosting perch – Henrietta Hen needs a spot to sit, so good quality perches are an important part of your chicken house equipment checklist. Round perches in particular provide the most comfortable grip for birds. While you can purchase chicken perches, it’s also easy to create your own with ordinary dowels. To create a more natural environment, consider using branches as roosting perches. Make sure the perches are a minimum of 18-24″ off the ground. To prevent overcrowding allow at least 8-10″ of perching area for each bird.

3. Run – Experienced poultry keepers know that allowing chickens room to run makes the birds happy. The challenge is that it leaves them vulnerable to predators who enjoy a fresh chicken dinner as much as you do. To protect your flock, consider adding an important piece of chicken house equipment: a run. Think of this as your birds’ recess yard. They can step out into this fenced area to enjoy the sunshine or pick tasty bug snacks out of the grass. Hen-keeping experts recommend using mesh that’s about one half inch.

4. Bedding – A must-have addition to your chicken house equipment, bedding is spread on the floor of the coop and in the next boxes. It helps insulate the floor and nests so the hens stay warm during chilly days and cold nights. Wood pellets and pine shavings are common bedding materials. Some chicken keepers prefer to place litter on top of chicken wire to allow droppings to fall through. If you choose this method, you’ll want to make sure bedding storage is located near the coop so you can easily freshen the bedding material.

5. Feeders and waterers – Automatic feeders and waterers take a lot of the work out of keeping chickens. So, when you’re shopping for chicken house equipment, consider investing in these time-savers. For example, a nipple-watering system prevents the water from being fouled by feathers, dirt and leaves. Since they’re mounted, they also open up more floor space for your chickens to enjoy. Use  a large waterer, too–experts recommend it hold at least a gallon. Make life easier, too, by placing it near a hose or faucet for easy refills. Auto feeders should dispense food at specific times every day. If you are frequently away from home for more than a day at a time, auto feeders and waterers are a smart investment. Find them online or look for do-it-yourself plans.

Chickens are not as needy as other types of most house pets. By using simple chicken house equipment, you can keep chickens safe and happy enough to deliver the farm-fresh eggs you’re hungry for.

Please click here for more information about chicken house equipment!

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