There are two essential things you need inside a chicken coop. With a coop rising off the ground, it not only prevents a buildup of droppings and dust mites but also makes it difficult for predators to achieve their goal. Some predators such as foxes, wolves, and coyotes can dig their way inside the coop and wreak havoc upon your flock! The second reason is for the protection of chickens from predators. Coops that rest directly on the ground are left vulnerable to bacteria, mold, and disease. The first reason is for the health of the chickens. There are two good reasons why chicken coops (whether built or bought) should hover off the ground. Also – remember that some chicken breeds are heavier than others! Regardless – we suggest you err on the side of a spacious coop. Overall the chicken coop must be at least 18 square feet to hold six chickens. The more space you provide your chickens – the happier they will be! For an absolute minimum, consider at least three square feet per chicken in the coop and six square feet per chicken in the open run area. How Big Should a Coop Be for Six Chickens? In the long run – building a chicken coop is the cheaper option. There are many materials – whether wood, metal, or plastic – you can use that are free of charge to build the chicken coop the way you want. Buying a chicken coop is initially more convenient and practical, but the downside is that you can rarely change store brand coops DIY style. If you are resourceful and creative, you can save yourself considerable amounts of money by building your chicken coop. You may have questions about chicken coops and what goes into making one, so we’ve got you covered here! Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy a Chicken Coop? (Honestly, nobody likes a disgruntled chicken!) But – they also deserve a fitting, safe, and clean coop!Ĭhickens are delicate farm animals to take care of, so when you search for the best Tractor Supply chicken coop, the number one thing to remember is how comfortable your chickens will feel in the chook coop. Similar to giving human treats to cats and dogs, there are certain table foods that shouldn’t be fed to chickens, so check guidelines before feeding.We believe that all healthy and happy chickens need some time to run freely, scratch, stretch, and forage. “Scraps should be a treat and in moderation, and you want to give them only as much as they’re going to eat in a short amount of time so that it doesn’t spoil,” Beranger explained. Just make sure not to overdo it, and avoid feeding them food with mold. Whether it’s overflow from your fruit or vegetable garden or leftover table scraps that you don’t want to waste, Beranger said chickens are more than happy to feast on that slightly overripe apple or stale piece of bread – which means you’ll waste less food. “We use it to augment the soil, which makes a nice addition to the garden.” Just follow a few easy composting steps, and you’ve got homemade fertilizer that’s much better for the environment – plus you can’t beat the free cost. “We put straw down in our chicken yards, and very quickly they’ll turn it into soil for us,” she explained. Instead of throwing away the waste from her chicken coop, Beranger uses it to fertilize her garden. Speaking of improving your garden, there’s no better fertilizer for your homegrown fruit, vegetable and flower beds than the kind created by nature. “Egg-laying breeds are great for hunting insects.” Your chickens get fed, your garden stays protected and breakfast is on your flock – which makes for an excellent arrangement. “They’re great for pest control as far as getting rid of ticks and bugs that you might not want,” said Beranger. While the average chicken diet is mostly grain, chickens are active foragers and are more than happy to make a meal of small bugs and worms. Always wash your hands after handling birds, collecting eggs or working in the coop. Just be sure to practice safe-handling procedures. “The yolks are more golden they hold together more nicely.” Plus, they’re more nutritionally beneficial – higher in Vitamin E, omega-3s and beta carotene than their supermarket counterparts, and much lower in cholesterol, according to a recent study from Mother Earth News. “ will eat a little bit of grass and vegetation – and because they get a diverse diet it really changes the eggs quite a bit,” said Beranger. As Jeannette Beranger, senior program manager at The Livestock Conservancy (and longtime chicken owner) explains, because your backyard flock will have access to more natural food sources in addition to the feed you’ll be giving them, the egg quality will be far better than your typical supermarket carton of eggs. Eggs just taste better when they come from a chicken that you have a personal relationship with – particularly one that you’re feeding and caring for.
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