They are lurking all around your chickens just waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack. Chicken predators are out there and it’s up to you as the pet owner to protect them as best as you possibly can. And this will all begin with the chicken pen, and chicken coop.
When you are creating the chicken pen you will want to ensure that even if a fox, dog, raccoon or any other rodent tries to get to your chickens by digging that they will not be able to dig a hole right into the pen. In order to accomplish this you will need to dig the fence into the ground.
There are many important components that you will need to be aware of when you are building or purchasing chicken coops from a store. Chicken coops need to be big enough for the amount of chickens that will be occupying it and also well ventilated. Ventilation is important during the hotter months. The right temperature is important to the health of your chickens. During the colder months you will need to be sure that there is a place to put a heating lamp to keep them at a comfortable temperature and prevent them from freezing.
The chicken coop will also need to have a feeding area, as well as a nesting area where they can lay eggs. The nesting box will need to offer them a complete boxed in area that offers them privacy.
Above this area you will want a door to easily be able to gather the eggs that the chicken laid. Chickens don’t just know to got into the nesting box you will need to show them this special area and you may even need to place some eggs in the area to show them it’s safe.
You can find many great chicken coops for sale online for fairly decent prices. There are also many websites that have free chicken coop plans that will give you the directions to build your own coop. Buying chicken coop plans online will offer you more choices of designs.
When you build your own chicken coop you will find that it is very rewarding and it will also save you a great deal of money. You want to be sure that you are including all of the necessary components that will give your chickens a wonderful home that will allow them to be safe and healthy.
Let’s not forget about how you can make it easy to keep your chicken coop clean. A clean chicken coop will prevent many parasites from harming your chickens. One of the main reasons why chicken coops are up off the ground is because it keeps them far enough from their poop and will greatly reduce the chance of them getting sick.
Building or buying a chicken coop and chicken pen is definitely something that you will want to take your time on. This will ensure that you are going to have everything that you need to offer them – protection, the proper heat and the perfect area’s for them to feed and lay eggs.
Learn more about chicken pens and coops by researching them on the internet or buying books at a local bookstore. The more knowledge that you have the better life you will offer your chickens. They are simple creatures that adapt very easily, but it’s up to you to keep the safe and happy.
