Chicken Coops, Pens & Nesting Boxes
Chicken Coops, Pens & Nesting Boxes
Chicken Coops, Pens and Nesting Boxes
With chicken coops, pens and nesting boxes from Tractor Supply, you can sleep soundly at night knowing your chickens are safely tucked away with their flock. Chickens thrive when they are kept in maintained and secure quarters that provide them with adequate space to socialize with other birds and rest for some much-needed alone time.
Consider the Flock Size First
For optimal chicken health, you should consider the number or birds in your flock when deciding the size of coop you plan to purchase. The general rule of thumb is to ensure that there is about 4 square feet of coop space per standard breed of chicken.
Giving your Chickens a Home
Much like humans, chickens have a few basic needs that they need their home’s to fulfill so that they can lead a happy and healthy life, including:
Sleep: For a well rested flock, consider adding perches, hutches or swings to your coop. These elevated surfaces will help your chickens to rest easy at night knowing they are safe from predators. For optimal chicken health, allow for at least 8 inches of roosting space per bird.
Litter: Keep your coop sanitary, safe and insulated by covering the floor in chicken litter. Chicken litter absorbs moisture which helps to clean the coop, regulate temperature and provide your flock with a great place for a dust bath.
Nesting Boxes: Make sure your hens have a place to lay their eggs by providing them with cozy nesting boxes. Good nesting boxes or hen houses provide hens with a dark, sanitary and safe place to lay their eggs.
Ventilation: While a dark and enclosed place is best for laying eggs, chickens still need light and air in their coop. One of the best ways to provide your chickens with needed ventilation and roaming opportunities is by adding a chicken run or pen to the exterior of your coop. Chicken runs and pens allow your flock to roam around in an enclosed outdoor space, thereby providing them with sunlight and fresh air.
Food: Last but not least, all chickens need a well-rounded diet composed of the right feed and clean water so that they can flourish. Poultry feeders can make the job even simpler by providing your birds with easily accessible feed.
Keeping the size of your desired flock and their basic needs in mind, you are ready to break ground on your new coop. Whether you are busting out the tools and building a custom coop or shopping for pre-built coops and pens, you can find everything you need from chicken wire and poultry mesh to chicken toys and coop heaters at your local Tractor Supply store.
