Whether you’re new to raising chickens, or looking to buy a new coop for a flock you already have, the choice you make can mean a healthier flock and a happier person/people caring for them.
To help with the decision, Roost & Root, maker of Round-Top Chicken Coop™ designs, has put together this list of five things to consider when buying a chicken coop.
Motivation: Let your motivation dictate the coop that you select. For example, if you are looking to conveniently and quickly feed your birds, consider a coop with an outside feeding option that saves you from having to enter your coop.
Many prefer walk-in style coops (https://roostandroot.com/
Alternatively, your goals may be more focused more on egg production. If gathering eggs is your main initiative, then figure out how many eggs you would like to collect in a week, the number of chickens needed, and search for a coop that will meet your flock’s capacity and needs.
Security: Consider your surroundings.
Important numbers: There are a few key measurements and rules for building a healthy chicken coop. A chicken coop should have approximately 1 square foot of ventilation per 10 square feet of coop. This is particularly important for chickens because they have the propensity to develop respiratory challenges over time.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure your chickens have enough space for their daily activities, including roosting and nesting.
When building a chicken coop, you will need 1 nesting box per 4-5 chickens.
Also, keep in mind that your coop will need 10-12 inches per chicken for the roosting bars.
Cleaning: A walk-in chicken coop, like that of our Round-Top coop line, will provide convenience as they are easier to clean and ergonomically friendly.
Appearance: Like anything else, buying a chicken coop is an investment. (https://roostandroot.com/blog/6-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-…) An attractive chicken coop can be a nice addition to your property, especially as you watch your chickens enjoy it.
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We are coopless here, but that was pretty interesting.
I always think coop choices are interesting. I belong to a facebook group of chicken enthusiasts and I swear some of those chickens have nicer living quarters than I do.
I have always wanted to have chickens. I like the eggloo coops.
I think those are the ones that can be moved around the yard easily. They’re really nice! Expensive, but a great idea, especially since I’m always straining my back pulling my coops from one place to another.