Chicken coops need to meet the needs of both the chickens and the chicken rancher – you! Be sure the chickens are comfortable. Give them enough room to move around and spread their wings. Relaxed, unworried chickens will give you more eggs, so give them as much of a normal, stress-free life as you can.
Providing more space also helps them feel normal by encouraging their instinct to peck at the ground. Spreading some feed in the morning can also help encourage the natural pecking instinct.
Hens like security and comfort, so be certain your nesting box provides both. There is no one right way to build a nesting box; they change to suit local needs. Just be sure there is enough space for all your chickens. While some chickens are comfortable sharing a nest, there are always those who need their own private space. All hens will search out the most secluded, quiet and secure place to lay their eggs, so keep the nesting space away from the food area.
Give your chickens cut straw or some hay to mimic what they might find in the wild. Fluffy sawdust can work too, but try to avoid wood chips. Young chicks often mistake it for their food; eating too much wood can kill them. For mature chickens, however, wood chips can be a possible choice.
Then there is your own ease of use. The eggs must be easy to collect not only because you will be doing it quite often, but also because it means that you do not unduly disturb the chickens and their nests. By avoiding such disturbance you keep your chickens happy and laying. Maybe you have a box nest, with a few adjoining nesting areas. A hinged lid can work will for this type of nest. If you leave your nesting area open, make sure that you can easily reach into all the corners.
Your chickens need protection from the elements and from predators. A well made roof to keep out the rain, solid walls to block the wind, some ventilation to keep the air fresh. If you live in snow country, keep a heat lamp or other heat source in the nesting area. Just designing your coop properly can provide a lot of security, but remember that placement is also important. Keep the coop away from high-traffic areas will help your hens feel safe and secure.
Now you are ready to go out and build your own coop. Safe secure chicken coops are the secret to happy chickens and happy chickens are the secret to getting more eggs.
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