There are a lot of plans out on the Internet on how to build everything from chicken coops to chicken hutches and everything in between. So it is no surprise that it can be very frustrating sorting though them all trying to figure out which one is right for you.
To help you sort through all of this you have to ask yourself – how much room do I have to keep chickens and how many would I like to keep?
Many who have chickens have them solely for egg production and egg sales, they typically will have large coops for maximum output. Others are more into a mode of supplying their family and friends with fresh eggs and meat while others are just looking for a way to be a little more self-sufficient.
If you don’t fit any of those categories and are just looking to have maybe two or three chickens either because you have limited space or just don’t want to take care of twenty chickens, then looking into chicken hutches is the way for you to go.
Chicken hutches are small, fast and easy to put up and it won’t use up a lot of your time to assemble it. Another great feature due to the size is they are relatively cheap for you to construct. It is also a great way to go if you’re just not sure if keeping and raising chickens is for you but you’d like to try and see.
Chicken Hutch Tips
Easy Access for Chickens
For the health and well being of your chickens they need to be able to access the hutch easily and without any hindrance. This gives them a sense of security and keeps them from getting stressed out. That is the reason why you need to ensure the doorway is properly sized to allow your chickens to move in and out without any resistance or difficulty. Installing a door or door flap will promote the sense of security and will also give additional security from the elements.
Keep it off the ground
Since you cannot walk into a hutch like you can a coop you’ll want to raise it off the ground by about a foot if not more. The thinking is you’ll access the hutch through the roof for cleaning and gathering eggs, so raising it to whatever level is convenient for you is the reasoning here.
After you have it off the ground you will want to provide your birds an easy way to get to the door with a ramp. It’s a good idea to make the ramp detachable so that you can remove it at night – no sense in making it too simple for the predators!
Easy Access
To make your job of keeping your chickens house clean and getting eggs you’ll want to put hinges on the roof, making it more of an access hatch. Unlike larger chicken houses hutches are made to be small so as a consequence they need to cleaned more often, having a the roof so it opens easily will help you to keep it clean.
It also makes it easy to replenish food and water supplies, so the importance of this step can’t be over stated!
Added security
Dealing with predators when you have chickens is a given. Something you can do to help discourage any would be predators is to put a latch or even a small pad lock on the hinged roof of the chicken hutch to stop predators like raccoons from lifting the roof and helping themselves.
Chicken Hutches Are They The Right Choice?
Compare_______________________________________________
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The Right Choices $13.64 No Synopsis Available |
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Chicken soup for the kids soul 2 $6.29 This book designed for kids ages 6-10 features true character-building stories for kids to enjoy alone or with their parents. Being a kid can be trying and confusing-a newfound exposure to the real world confusion as to what’s right and wrong learning about friendships and making important choices for the first time. Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul 2 is a special book designed just for kids on the verge of becoming preteens. Written by kids and adults reminiscing about their childhood this book features true stories that exemplify character-building traits such as acceptance honesty kindness responsibility forgiveness bravery and perseverance. It also features larger reader friendly type and custom created cartoon strips featuring "The Souper Kids" cartoon characters. |
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Chicken Soup With Rice (Hardcover) $34.75 January to December, anytime is the right time to eat chicken soup with rice |
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Right Choices: Conflict Resolution Program $287.63 No Synopsis Available |
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