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Chicken Coops & Hen Houses
A good chicken coop or hen house is the key to having happy hens. Chicken coops come in all shapes and sizes, from mobile chicken tractors that can be easily move around your backyard, to fixed chicken coops with an attached enclosed run. Whatever chicken house you fancy, there are a few things you will need to pay attention to if you want happy poultry that lay good eggs.
For a quick rundown on what’s required to keep chickens scroll down to read our frequently asked questions.
Here are some of the chicken coops we’ve built for our customers.
Lady Cluck
Chicken Little
Cluckingham Palace
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the essential elements of a good chicken coop?
A good chicken coop or hen house should be able to shelter your chickens from the weather and predators, have enough space and nest boxes for the number of hens you keep in your hen house, provide easy access for your chickens as well as for you and your family.
How large should a chicken coop be?
According to the code of Welfare in New Zealand, you can keep 9 chickens per square metre inside a chicken coop as long as they also have access to roam outdoors.
How many nest boxes should my hen house have?
The rule of thumb is one nesting box per three to four hens. Hens like to lay eggs in a secluded, dark place, so make sure the nest boxes are in a quiet corner of the chicken coop.
What else do I need to provide for my chickens?
You will need to give your chickens access to food, fresh water and grit. You will also need to clean out your chicken coop on a regular basis. Chicken manure makes excellent compost for your garden.
What food can I give my chickens?
Chickens just love foraging for worms and other insects, so free roaming is ideal. But if you want them to consistently lay eggs, you may have to supplement them with specially formulated food, which you can buy from farm supply stores.