Four Basic Functions of a Chicken Coop

Chicken coops, which are also known hen houses or chicken houses, are purposely designed with safety, shelter, protection and convenience in mind for the chicks. It must be a place where chickens can get away from all kinds of weathers either cold weather, storms, rain or wind. Coops can also be closed to keep chicks protected from predators from harming them or their eggs.

It must be big enough for the chickens to live comfortably by allowing them much of space to flap their wings, walk round and about, and build comfortable nests in it.

Chicken coops must come up with changeable floors to keep it clean and windows too to have ventilation.

It must be big enough for humans for the convenient access to the eggs, allowing for easy daily egg collection.

Below are some major factors and functions that must kept in mind while choosing or making;

1) Shelter (from wind, rain, snow, and sun):

The major and most highlighted function of a chicken coop is giving the shelter to chickens and their chicks and eggs. Coops are the house of chickens so it must function in such a way to protect them from all of the weathers. It should be strong and durable enough to secure the hens from heavy rain, snowfall, wind and etc. Some coops are even built on trailers so that they can be moved from location to location.

It should be easily closed off on the windy, rainy and cold side. I must also provide shade from the sun remembering the fact that the heat brings moisture and moisture hosts disease and mold.

2) Adequate Sunlight:

While placing or making the coop we must keep the housing openings facing the sunny side to capture all the fresh air and sunlight or we can go for 25% of the roof to be wide open as the sheltered area is usually large enough for all the birds to find refuge from the rain/snow if needed.

Majority of great housing set-ups are 100% open in the front. These small, easily moved chicken coops should allow for some daylight access while still keeping the hens in the coop are called chicken arks. Arks are mostly triangular in shape. 

Climate-control systems are the most common in coops as the hens are encouraged there to incubate their own eggs and young chicks are allowed to live. If there is no easy access of sunlight to your coop another option we should go for is electricity. Electricity can make caring for your chickens after dark a much easier process. Artificial light can be used to take the place of daylight and encourage more productive laying habits from hens.

3) Ventilation:

For the purpose of proper ventilation we must keep that in mind to install ventilation above so that the chickens roost at night, protecting them from driving wind and rain.

Keep this too in mind that cold moving air (not high rushing winds) is a good thing during the winter as it draws the moisture out from the coop, preventing frostbite.

The shed usually features a slanted roof and removable windows for proper ventilation. Chicken coops must also provide warmth through insulation, heat lamps, or extra bedding and nesting material.

4) Predator Protection:

There comes the most sensitive point, protecting your hens and their eggs from predators. To take care of this matter you should never leave a gap in the coop of more than one inch. Housing door must be closed and locked at night to prevent predators unless you have a reliable predator-proof fencing system. Most importantly, chicken wire or wire mesh should be used over open areas.