These coops usually house anywhere from 2 - 5 chickens. You may also be able to find them at local feed stores.
Something like a small playhouse, staircase, or the space beneath a deck may work.
If you’ve never built a structure before, or never built one for animals, hiring professional help is highly recommended. You can find blueprints for chicken structures online and follow them, but they can be complicated if you’re unfamiliar with building. A flimsy or poorly built structure can be dangerous for your chickens. [3] X Research source
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You will need grates on the top of the house. This helps with air circulation. The house should have a hen-sized door on one side and a human-sized one on the other. The coop should be properly insulated during the cooler months. Placing your coop against your heated garage can help with this. Alternatively, you could invest in heating units that are safe for chicken coops. These can be hung from the ceiling or side of the coop. Make sure that your heating unit is not too close to the birds, as they could get burned.
You should also have chicken wire or cloth on top of the chicken coop to protect against predators like owls. Free range chickens still need a shelter or covering to protect them from predators, especially at night.
Keeping feed off of the floor will help prevent vermin and predators from invading the coop. These critters could bring diseases or could kill your chickens.
You should distribute food using a chicken feeder. You should check the feeder every other day and remove moldy or wet food. How much food your chickens need depends on the number of chickens. Feeding guidelines should be provided on the package.
Chickens actually do enjoy eggs and eggshells as well. Do not hesitate to toss egg shells into your chicken’s coop instead of discarding them.
Go for a heated bowl or bucket in the winter to keep water from freezing.
If you have a rooster in your coop, do not collect eggs. They may be fertilized.
Wash your hands after handling your chickens or anything in or near the chicken shed. Minimize contact with your birds. Do not pet, snuggle, or kiss the chickens and discourage children from doing the same. Do not let chickens in your home. Do not eat or drink near the chickens.
Make sure to keep your brooder away from predators, especially cats and dogs. It may be safest to store the brooder in an enclosed space, such as your garage.
