Here are 8 interior features of a chicken coop that make it a healthy home for your chickens and a place they’ll love to come back to every night. Read on to learn why each one is important and how it helps keep your chickens safe and healthy.
So, what should be inside a chicken coop? Let’s take a look at some essential features.
One of the most important things to have inside an A-frame chicken coop or any coop is roosts for your chickens. Chickens sleep best in the air, so providing a roost for your chickens inside the coop is very important. In unprotected environments, chickens sleep on roosts to protect themselves from predators.
Although this isn’t necessary for a closed coop, sleeping on a roost keeps chickens off the floor, where they are more susceptible to bacteria and disease. Roosts should be constructed from a material such as wood rather than metal or PVC.
Roosts should be installed higher than the nesting boxes since chickens will usually seek out the highest perch for sleeping. Depending on the height at which you set your roosting perches, you may need to install a chicken coop ramp so your chickens can easily access their resting spot.
One of the most important parts of the inside of a chicken coop is a strong roost that is big enough for all the chickens.
The inside of a chicken coop should always have nesting boxes for your laying hens. Nesting boxes provide a quiet place for your chickens to lay eggs and a convenient place for you to find the eggs in time for breakfast.
The nesting boxes should be kept as dark as possible and installed lower than the roosting bar to prevent chickens from pooping in them. Different people have different ideas about how many boxes should be given per chicken, but four to five chickens per box is a good rule of thumb. The boxes can be lined with a dry bedding material such as wood shavings or chopped straw, which should be changed periodically to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria.
Chickens prefer to nest and lay eggs in soft bedding, but they should not be sleeping or loitering in the boxes for very long. Nesting boxes are provided solely to lay eggs.
Although your coop should be well-ventilated, it should not be drafty. Cracks and small openings should be closed to keep snakes, mice, and other rodents from entering. Another important insulation factor to consider is ceiling insulation. Insulation in the ceiling helps to keep the coop cooler during the hot summer months.
If your coop has a metal roof, you’ll want to have insulation installed between the roof metal and framing during the construction of the coop. If your coop has an asphalt shingle roof, be sure to use Tech Shield roof sheathing as a barrier against excessive heat from the sun. Tech Shield sheathing usually provides adequate protection against heat, and no additional insulation is needed in the ceiling of your coop.
Adequate lighting is important, especially if your chickens will spend a significant amount of time inside the coop. Since a chicken’s reproductive cycles are regulated by natural light, your chickens may stop producing eggs if they lack enough light.
Windows are the best way to let in natural light during the daytime. An artificial, soft, yellow light can be used inside the coop during winter months in the Northern Hemisphere with fewer daylight hours. However, a continuous light inside the coop is not recommended.
Artificial lighting should be used with caution as it can tamper with a chicken’s natural reproductive cycles. (You may be interested in this well-written article on using supplemental lighting to promote egg production)
You should pay attention to the air quality in your coop. One of the biggest causes of poor air quality inside a chicken coop is ammonia. Ammonia is released from fresh or moist chicken feces and can be bad for the health of your chickens if it reaches high levels (read this helpful article about ammonia and chickens).
Providing adequate ventilation is a key component to controlling the levels of ammonia in the air inside a barn-style chicken coop. Vents should be positioned to remove contaminated air from the top of the coop without making the coop feel drafty. The best position for vents is usually near the top of the coop.
Chickens poop while sleeping, so using a litter tray under the chicken roost is a great way to make cleaning the coop easier. Chicken feces should be removed from the coop frequently to help control ammonia levels (see the section on ventilation).
A litter tray makes frequent removal of the majority of the waste that collects in a coop possible. The litter tray should be cleaned daily, or at least weekly as a bare minimum. Simply pull out the tray, scrape the chicken feces onto your compost pile, and replace it. You’ll be able to complete this step in minutes if you make it a part of your morning egg-gathering routine.
One of the best materials for a chicken coop floor is plywood. A plywood floor can be raised off the ground to help in keeping the floor and bedding dry. A floor with airflow underneath will shed moisture more quickly than a concrete slab or dirt floor.
A raised plywood floor is also a very tight floor that prevents unwanted predators and rodents from entering. If your chicken coop is a storage shed with a plywood floor on runners, use a tight wire mesh instead of wood to close off the underside of the shed to intruders. A solution like black vinyl-coated wire is better than wood since it allows air to flow under the shed while still closing it off to intruders.
Raising the floor in a prefab chicken coop is an inexpensive way to promote the health and safety of the chickens in a wooden chicken coop.
What Makes a Good Chicken Coop? The Complete Guide
Homesteaders, small farmers, and urban gardeners are raising chickens in their backyards more and more. And for good reason: fresh eggs, pest control, compost from the chickens’ droppings, and cute feathered friends! But the first step in keeping chickens is building a good chicken coop.
On my 5-acre farm, I’ve had chickens for more than 10 years. Since then, I’ve learned a lot about how to build a chicken coop and what makes one really work and keep your chickens safe. There are a lot of things that a good chicken coop should have: safety, space, air flow, durability, accessibility, and longevity. Here are the most important parts of a good chicken coop.
Safety First – Secure Structure and Predator Protection
The primary purpose of a chicken coop is to keep your flock safe from predators and harsh weather. Sturdy construction and security measures should be your top priority.
-
For the walls and roof, use strong wood, concrete, or hardware cloth. Chicken wire and other thin materials that are easy to chew through should not be used.
-
There can’t be any holes bigger than 1/2 inch in the coop for animals to get in. Raccoons can fit through very small spaces.
-
Bury hardware cloth 12+ inches underground to prevent digging under the walls. Use gravel or concrete for the most secure foundation.
-
Install sturdy latches on all doors. I prefer barrel bolts or spring latches that are difficult for clever predators to open.
-
Ensure the roof is weatherproof. Overhangs will help prevent rain from leaking inside.
-
Build a covered outdoor run to allow safe outdoor access while you’re away. Use hardware cloth for roof and walls.
Ample Space Per Chicken
Overcrowding causes stress, feather picking, and potential illness. Each standard size chicken needs a minimum of 4 square feet of coop space and 8-10 square feet in the outdoor run. Large breeds require even more room.
-
Calculate your flock size and required space before building. Err on the side of more space.
-
Roosting bars should have 8-12 inches per bird. Build a ladder style roost at a 45 degree angle.
-
Allow 1 nesting box per 3-4 hens. Boxes should be 12″ x 12″ x 12″ and lined with bedding.
-
Build the run as large as possible. Chickens will use all the space you give them.
Proper Ventilation and Sunlight
Good airflow removes moisture, ammonia, and CO2 while sunlight maintains natural egg laying cycles.
-
Install adjustable vents near the roof to let warm air escape.
-
Windows are great for natural light but must be predator proof.
-
Supplement daylight with LED bulbs in winter to sustain egg production.
-
Orient the coop to maximize sun exposure throughout the day.
Easy Cleaning and Maintenance
A coop must be accessible and easy to clean to prevent disease.
-
Include a human sized door for you and a small chicken door.
-
Build a pull-out litter tray to quickly remove dirty bedding underneath roosts.
-
Use durable, rot-resistant wood or plastic for easy cleaning. Metal rusts over time.
-
Design roof overhangs to prevent rain from dripping into entry points or windows.
-
Store feed securely in galvanized metal trash cans to prevent pests.
Additional Tips and Considerations
-
Raise the coop 2-3 feet off the ground for ventilation, shade, and cleaning.
-
Insulate walls and roof for warmth in cold climates.
-
Add a heat lamp, heater, or heated waterer for extreme cold.
-
Include roosting bars, feeders, and waterers inside the coop.
-
Provide bedding like pine shavings on the floor to absorb moisture.
-
Supplement feed with oyster shell for calcium and optimal egg shell strength.
-
Keep bedding clean and dry to prevent frostbite in winter.
-
Consider giving chickens access to sunlight by installing a chicken run.
-
Make sure the chicken coop has proper ventilation to prevent overheating.
-
In hot climates, use shade cloth or position the coop in a shaded area.
-
Misters or fans can help cool chickens on extremely hot days.
-
Design the coop to be easily accessible for feeding, watering, and egg collecting.
-
Use galvanized hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, which can easily be chewed through by predators.
-
Bury hardware cloth 12 inches underground around the perimeter to prevent digging predators.
-
Ensure any openings or windows are covered with hardware cloth for proper ventilation without allowing predators inside.
-
Avoid using wood directly on the ground, as it will quickly rot. Use a concrete base or raise the coop up.
-
Make sure to have proper roof overhangs to prevent rain from blowing inside the coop during storms.
-
Orient the coop to face east to maximize morning sun exposure.
-
Supplement with LED lighting on shorter winter days to sustain egg production.
With attention to all these elements – security, space, ventilation, ease of use, durability, and accessibility – you will have a coop that keeps your chickens healthy, safe, and productive for years to come. Do your planning and research up front, and the day to day care of your flock will be a breeze. The initial investment of time and money to build a quality coop will pay dividends down the road. Just be sure not to skimp on the essentials. Happy chicken keeping!
Food and Water Supply
Last but not least, a well-functioning feeder and drinkers are some of the most important components of the interior of your coop. The feeder and drinkers should be kept away from the roost to prevent chickens from pooping in them while roosting. You can also hang them a few inches off the ground so that they don’t gather as much bedding when chickens are scratching nearby.
Feeders and drinkers should be clean, well-stocked, and easily accessible to your chickens at times. Partially dehydrated or under-fed chickens are much more prone to disease and will be less productive.
Bonus: Chicken Coop Size
Remember to consider the chicken coop size when planning the interior layout of your coop. An overcrowded chicken coop is detrimental to the health of your flock.
Raising Chickens: Everything You Need To Know!
FAQ
What makes a great chicken coop?
A coop should be spacious, ventilated, safe from predators, and have adequate lighting and roosts (tree branches against a wall work, so long as they don’t slip). Nest boxes should be clean, safe, not pitch dark, and not freezing cold. They’re usually attached to the coop, but not always.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The 90% rule for chickens is a feeding guideline that says 90% of a chicken’s daily food should be complete feed, and the other 10% can be treats.
How many chickens do I need for a dozen eggs a week?
What is the best thing to put in the bottom of a chicken coop?
Depending on your needs, the best thing to put on the bottom of a chicken coop could be a mix of wood chips, sand, and a solid base like concrete or plywood. This will make the environment healthy and easy to clean.