Having chickens and taking care of them is amazing. If you take care of them, they’ll also take care of you by providing regularly the food you need. A lot of people think about getting one, but they are not sure whether they need a big one, a smaller one, all the features that ads suggest, or anything else for that matter.
Choosing one is not simple, which is why we’re here to help. In this article, we’re talking more about chicken coops and making sure that you pick the right one for you personally. There are no two people that are the same, so you need to pay attention to the most essential details. Check out what you need to know, and go for that coop hunt.
1. See who the manufacturer is
When you’re choosing a new chicken coop, you need to know where you’re getting it. There are lots of choices out there, and not all of them are perfectly made. Some of them used materials that are not of the best quality, and you want exactly the opposite – you want the perfect quality.
Ask about who the manufacturer is. Look for those that are made by companies that are proven to be excellent. Don’t buy imported products that are sold for extremely low prices. You might get the product, but you won’t provide the perfect living conditions for your chicks by having them.
2. Make sure you know how big of a coop you need
If you’re planning to keep 100 chickens, you can’t place them into a small container that won’t provide the perfect living conditions. Instead, you’ll need something bigger. Luckily for everyone, the options are endless and you have tons of sizes to choose from.
Look for the one that will be perfect for your needs. The general rule is 2 to 4 squared inches per chicken. Knowing this, it’s easy to make the calculations about how big it is supposed to be. Learn more about this on the link.
There are various breeds of chickens and you need to have this in mind. Those that are bigger in growth will require more space, of course, and those that are smaller will not need as much. If you’re not sure about what you’ll get, it’s better to get one that is bigger because they won’t mind having more room to live in, but will be unhappy if there isn’t enough room.
3. Will it fit the place you have in mind for it?
It’s not enough to just find a coop and buy it. You need to know where it will be placed. It’s crucial to know this place and make calculations based on these features. Find out more about this place and its preferences, and only then look for a coop. There are tons of various shapes, so you can choose one that is perfect for you.
4. Does it have proper ventilation?
Ventilation is crucial for the happiness of your chicks, and the happier they are, the more eggs you’ll get. On the other hand, not having the proper ventilation will cause suffocation, and they might start dying one by one. If you look at the coops you’re thinking of buying, you’ll see that they are all built like small houses, so make sure you get one with great ventilation.
5. Is it properly protected from predators?
One of the greatest worries for both chickens and those that take care of them is the chance for predators to get them. If you live in the country, there are all kinds of predators out there – from stray dogs, to foxes. Every wild meat-eating animal loves chickens. See more about this here: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/vme-22.
That’s why you need a coop with protection that will keep them safe at all times. You can’t watch over them at all times, so they must be protected with the proper wiring and doors. When the dark falls, no animal should be allowed inside, so make sure you get a perfect coop. If you get something that has poor protection, you might not see them alive in the morning, and your entire investment will fail.
