Its been a long winter, and the other day, I decided it was time to clean out the chicken coop. I usually do a deep clean in the fall, and through the winter, use the deep litter method to keep my girls warm. I will be sharing this method on the blog soon! About March, I begin to feel like things need a good cleaning and an update. Its at this time that I like to go over all my chicken coop supplies and necessities and make sure I have everything I need to keep my girls happy all year long. I want to share my favorite must have chicken coop supplies that keep me and my hens happy.
There is no one good way to raise chickens. There are multiple ways to keep a happy group of ladies. In addition to this, there are unlimited chicken coop options and ways to keep your girls safe.
Whatever way you raise your chickens, a coop is a must have, whether it is large or small, fancy or a repurposed shed or broken down structure. The basic need is to have a safe place for them to roost at night that protects them from the elements and most importantly, predators.
We didn’t let ours roam freely because there were a lot of animals that could hurt them on our property. We have a large coop, and two very large runs where my girls can run and perch, play and keep themselves busy.
I often wonder if I am being over protective…. and then that chicken hawk is spotted hanging out in the tree above our chicken coop. I then decide we will keep it as is. Our hens are very important to my 8 year old daughter so we do what we can to protect them.
Getting backyard chickens is an exciting endeavor! Fresh eggs every morning and cute feathery friends hopping around your yard. But before you bring home your flock, you need to make sure you have the proper chicken coop setup and accessories. Having the right supplies will ensure your chickens are healthy, safe, and happy in their new home.
Size and Location
When deciding what you need for a chicken coop, the first consideration is size and location. The coop should provide at least 4 square feet of space per chicken inside the coop. The coop should also have an outside run area, allowing 10 square feet per chicken. Make sure to locate the coop in a shady spot, protected from wind and rain. Easy access to the coop for you to care for the chickens is also key.
Safety and Protection
Predator protection for your chickens is critical. The coop should have sturdy walls and a wire-mesh covering on any openings to prevent entry from foxes raccoons hawks and other predators. Burying wire fencing under the ground around the coop prevents rodents and animals from digging underneath. A predator-proof coop keeps your flock safe at night.
Ventilation and Insulation
Good ventilation keeps the coop from getting too wet and giving off an ammonia smell. Vents near the top let out hot air. In winter, small vents prevent frost-bite but maintain warmth. Adding insulation like foam boards or straw bales can also help keep the temperature even. Adequate ventilation and insulation keep the chickens comfortable year-round.
Roosting Bars and Nesting Boxes
Chickens naturally perch on branches or bars at night, so elevated roosting bars are essential in the coop. Place roosts 2 feet off the ground and space multiple bars at least 12 inches apart. Nesting boxes with bedding give hens a place to lay eggs in privacy. Plan on one box for every 4-5 hens. Both roosts and nests are key components for a happy flock!
Food and Water Supplies
Strong feeders will make sure that food doesn’t go to waste, and founts or poultry drinkers will give them clean water. Placing them outside the coop minimizes messes and rodents inside. Keeping food storage bins tightly sealed deters pests as well. Your chickens stay healthy as long as they have easy access to plenty of food and water.
Flooring and Bedding
The coop flooring should make cleaning easy. Concrete flooring lasts a long time but costs a lot. Linoleum over plywood or thick rubber mats are cheaper options. The floor and nesting boxes should be covered with several inches of absorbent bedding like pine shavings or straw. The coop stays clean because the bedding is cleaned and raked over a regular basis.
Lighting
Chickens need 14 hours of light per day to keep laying eggs consistently. Installing a light on a timer inside the coop extends their daylight hours. A simple hanging bulb with a reflective dome provides plenty of illumination. Lighting rigged to a timer sustains maximum egg production.
Extra Touches
Some optional extras can make chicken keeping more convenient and enjoyable. Handy additions are a storage shed for supplies, a camera to monitor chickens remotely, a coop heater for extreme cold and an automatic door opener. While not essentials, upgrades like these add to your chicken-keeping experience.
Setting up the proper chicken coop and accessories requires some investment on the front end. But caring for chickens is very rewarding! With a safe and thoughtfully equipped coop, you’ll give your flock everything they need for many years of health and productivity. Getting prepped with the right supplies makes starting out with chickens that much easier and more fun.
If you have been here before, you might have seen my chicken coop, and if you haven’t, make sure to check it out here!
Since I’ve already set up my chicken coop, there are some things I have to have. This list of things you need for a chicken coop was made in the hopes that it will help you if you are just starting out.
Now, this list is mainly things to have or use in the chicken coop, not necessarily any supplies for chickens such as food, scratch, first aid, etc. This list has things that will help you keep your coop clean and well-run, which will make your chickens so happy they’ll want to lay all the eggs.
First, I will share the products and then we can chat about them a bit.
Turn on your JavaScript to view content
Chicken Feeder and Waterer:
Having a good feeder and waterer is so important in my opinion. These are my absolute must have chicken coop supplies. I choose to have a larger feeder that I can fill about once a week, and monitor. This helps me to not feel quite so tied down in the mornings. We use a large metal feeder that gradually dispenses the food and it works great. You can get one with a cover as well if it wont be covered under a roof.
We live in a cold climate, and frozen water is a very big problem in the winter. I knew having a heated chicken waterer was crucial to having healthy, happy hens. We purchased this heated waterer, and it has been amazing! I no longer have to worry about their water freezing, and the water stays clean since they use the nipples to dispense the water. Teaching your chickens to use the nipples is so easy and they figure it out quickly. I would highly recommend getting one. We ran an extension cord to an outlet for a long time until my husband decided to run electricity to the coop, which is a game changer.
Raising Chickens: Everything You Need To Know!
FAQ
What does a chicken coop need to have?
… design must be predator proof, secure, have adequate ventilation, easy to clean, have roosts, should have nesting boxes, and be spacious enough for your flock.
What supplies do I need for a chicken coop?
These must-have chicken coop supplies include the following:Roosting Bars. Proper temperature control. Engaging toys. Secure run. Reliable feeders and waterers. Balanced chicken feed. Absorbent bedding material. Adequate ventilation.
What is the 90/10 rule for chickens?
The 90% rule for chickens is a feeding guideline that says 90% of a chicken’s daily food should be complete feed, and the other 10% can be treats.
How many eggs will 6 chickens lay in a week?
Six chickens will typically lay between 18 and 30 eggs in a week, with an average of around 24 eggs. This is based on the average hen laying 4-5 eggs per week.