As well as having a dry, draft free house to sleep in, chickens require a certain amount of shelter from the elements. Bushes, a hedge or wall can be used if birds free range to get out of the sun, wind or rain but if this sort of cover is not available, you should consider erecting some sort of shelter that allows them to get out of the elements.
Raising a chicken house onto legs about 18 inches off the floor and covering one side in the direction of the prevailing wind is a good idea as this provides them with shelter for the daytime. If you have a covered run, you can put corrugated plastic sheets on the roof which take the strength out of the sun and shelter your chickens from the rain.
Remember to put water containers in shaded positions during the hottest summer months so that water doesn’t over heat. Chickens cool down by drinking water as well as panting. You can read more about that on my page covering Water For Chickens.
Hi,
Very useful website!!
I’m just about to get a couple of chickens, we have a bit of our garden that we are going to fence off for the chickens (about 25 sq meters) would this be enough space to stop them turning it to mud very quickly? Its currently grass/weeds.
Thanks for any advice
Stewart
Possibly, the winter will be the big test. Different types of grass wear differently. If it is a hard wearing type of grass, you should find it easier.
Hi
I have just started keeping chickens and have 3 bantams. They are in a coop with a large run attached to it. Do I need to close the coop door at night ? The run is very secure so nothing can get in. The design of the coop and run makes it difficult to get to the door although we could change it if needed.
Many thanks
If the run is secure then no, but as an added precaution against predators, if you can close it easily then I would.
I’m planning on getting around three chickens for eggs I just need to know what hight to build the coop and do I have to move it if i plan on letting them free roam when I’m home and also I’m planning on attatching a run for when i’m at work the total size is 24sq feet but no web site states a recomended hight.
many thanks
shane
The coop height is not critical, it’s more about ease for you getting in to clean and collect eggs. You don’t have to move it.
The run height is covered on my page on poultry fencing. There are a number of options to keep foxes out.
Hi!
I’m so glad I’ve found this site! I’m a first time chicken owner and so far loving every moment!
I have a few questions:
I haven’t got a roof on my coup yet (it arrives at the weekend), so today I put tarpaulin over it. Is wet ground a hazard to feet at all?
I’ve noticed a lot of flies since the chickens arrived – is this normal?
I have layers mash and pellets. I’m giving them a mixture of both mainly pellets. Is this ok? They seem to prefer the mash, corn and tit. It’s to the pellets, so I’m making sure I give them mainly pellets. Should I only do one or the other?
I’m keeping them in the main coop for a few days, because a couple of birds have taken to roosting on the house instead of going in. I’m putting them in myself. Will they eventually go in themselves?
I have 7 chickens and average 5 eggs a day so they must be fairly settled?
What else can I do for them to make life comfortable please?
Wet ground shouldn’t be a problem but muddy ground is bad because it provides ideal conditions for poultry worms.
Flies will appear where there is muck. You can use a ground sanitiser once in a while but I like to use red top fly traps too. The poultrykeeper.com website has a good review and instructions on using these.
You can feed mash and pellets, either is good but remember that corn should be used as a treat, no more than a handful per hen per day.
They should eventually start to go in the coop when they settle.
It sounds as if they are happy laying 5 eggs per day.
hi,
im building a coop in my council back garden. i have permission.
does the coop and run have to be a certain distance from properties?
hope u understand.
susan. x
No, not that I’m aware of. So long as it isn’t causing a nuissance to neighbours 😉