Providing a Home for Your Backyard Chickens

Backyard Chickens’ Guide to Coops and Tractors: Planning, Building, and Real-Life Advice

Creating a coop that caters to your flock’s needs will not only lighten your workload but also keep your chickens safe and secure.

So, you’re picturing a lively backyard filled with chickens happily pecking at the ground, discovering bugs, worms, and other tasty treats. You’ve already thought about which breed you want and how many birds will make up your flock, ensuring a steady supply of fresh, golden eggs for your family.

But before you can start building that perfect chicken paradise, there’s one key detail you’ll need to figure out: how to house them. Unlike independent pets like cats, chickens need more than just food and water—they require protection and regular care.

Designing a coop that meets the needs of your flock can make your job much easier and ensure your chickens are healthy, safe, and happy. Here are some important factors to keep in mind as you plan their new home.

1. Location, Location, Location

When choosing where to place your chicken coop, the location is crucial. You want to find a spot that’s convenient for you to access daily, but also one that’s safe and comfortable for your flock.

Ideally, the area should be flat, dry, and well-drained to prevent flooding and keep the chickens’ living area clean. The coop should also have some protection from harsh winds, extreme temperatures, and predators. A shaded area is great for hot days, while having some sunlight exposure is important for egg production and helping your birds stay warm in cooler months.

Also, consider how close it is to your house or other areas you frequent. The easier it is to check on your chickens, the better! But make sure it’s far enough away from your living space to avoid any smell or noise issues.

2. Size Requirements

The size of your chicken coop is a key factor in keeping your flock happy and healthy. Overcrowding can lead to stress, aggression, and even health problems, so it’s important to make sure each bird has enough space.

As a general rule, you’ll want to provide at least 2 to 3 square feet of indoor space per chicken inside the coop. For the outdoor run, aim for 8 to 10 square feet per chicken. This allows your birds enough room to roam, stretch their wings, and engage in natural behaviors like scratching and dust bathing.

If you plan on adding more chickens in the future, consider building a coop that’s a bit larger than what you need right now. A little extra space can make a big difference in the long run. Also, think about room for nesting boxes (usually one box for every 3 to 4 hens) and roosting bars for them to sleep on comfortably. The more space they have, the happier and healthier they’ll be.

3. Nesting Boxes

Nesting boxes are essential for giving your hens a private, comfortable space to lay their eggs. Without them, your chickens might lay eggs in the wrong spot, or worse, become stressed and avoid laying altogether.

You’ll need about one nesting box for every 3 to 4 hens. The boxes should be large enough for them to comfortably turn around and settle in, but not so large that they feel exposed. A standard size is about 12″ x 12″ x 12″, but you can adjust based on your flock’s size.

Place the nesting boxes in a quiet, secluded area of the coop to give the hens some peace and privacy while laying. Keep them off the ground to prevent bedding from getting soiled, ideally 12–18 inches above the coop floor. Fill the boxes with soft bedding like straw, hay, or wood shavings to encourage egg laying and keep things clean.

You can also consider making the boxes slanted or installing a “rollaway” system, where eggs roll out of the reach of the hens after they’re laid. This can help reduce the chance of cracked eggs or egg-eating behaviors.

4. Mood Lighting

As the days shorten with the arrival of fall, chickens naturally begin to slow down their egg production. In northern latitudes, where daylight hours can be quite limited, this can mean a drop in eggs during the winter months. To keep your hens laying consistently, adding artificial lighting to the coop can help mimic longer daylight hours.

By setting up a light that turns on in the early morning or stays on for a few hours in the evening, you can trick your hens into thinking it’s still summer. Aim for about 14–16 hours of light per day. Keep the lighting warm and soft, using incandescent or LED bulbs designed for outdoor use. You’ll need to either wire electricity to your coop or run an extension cord from the house to power the light safely. Just be sure to use a timer to control when the light comes on and off to avoid overstimulating your flock.

5. Critter Proofing

Protecting your chickens from predators is a must. There’s no shortage of animals that would love to feast on your birds or raid your eggs—foxes, raccoons, weasels, and even neighborhood dogs are all potential threats.

To critter-proof your coop, start with a solid, secure structure. Use hardware cloth (not chicken wire) for the coop and run. Hardware cloth is much more secure, with smaller openings that prevent predators from squeezing through. Make sure the doors, windows, and any access points have sturdy locks, and be sure there’s no weak spots that could be pried open.

For the run, bury the bottom of the mesh or wire at least a foot underground to prevent animals from digging their way in. Check the coop regularly for any gaps or wear and tear. Don’t forget to secure the roof too—hawks and other birds of prey can be a danger, so a covered run or an enclosed coop is essential.

Critter-proofing takes some extra time and effort upfront, but it’s worth it to ensure your chickens are safe and sound.

6. Venting and Air Flow

Proper ventilation is one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of a chicken coop. Without adequate airflow, the coop can quickly become stuffy and damp, leading to a buildup of harmful ammonia from chicken waste, which can cause respiratory issues for your birds. Additionally, poor ventilation can encourage mold and bacteria growth, both of which are unhealthy for your flock.

Aim to provide ample ventilation that allows fresh air to flow through while still keeping out drafts, especially in the colder months. The ideal placement for vents is near the top of the coop, as warm, stale air rises and needs to escape. Roof vents, gable vents, or louvered windows can all work well for this purpose. Be sure the vents are covered with hardware cloth or mesh to keep predators out.

In the warmer months, increased airflow can help regulate the temperature and prevent the coop from becoming too hot and uncomfortable for your chickens. However, be mindful of placing vents in areas where cold winds or rain could create an uncomfortable environment in winter.

Proper airflow is essential for maintaining a healthy, clean, and comfortable space for your chickens year-round, so don’t skimp on this aspect when designing your coop.

7. Food and Water

Your chickens need a steady supply of food and fresh water to stay healthy and productive, so it’s essential to provide easy access to both.

For food, consider a large, covered feeder that can hold enough to minimize refilling. You’ll want it elevated off the ground to avoid contamination from bedding or poop. If you’re feeding scratch grains or pellets, make sure the feeder is designed to prevent spillage and keep it clean. Also, be aware of the type of food that best suits your flock’s age and purpose—whether you’re providing layer pellets for egg production, starter feed for chicks, or grain-based supplements.

As for water, always provide fresh, clean water daily. Chickens drink a surprising amount, especially during warmer weather, so you’ll need a reliable system in place. Automatic waterers work well for large flocks, but traditional hanging waterers or troughs can also do the trick. Just make sure the water containers are clean and free from debris or algae.

You can keep water from freezing in winter by using heated waterers or by placing your water containers in a warmer part of the coop. In hot summer months, ensure the water is shaded and changed often to avoid bacteria buildup.

By keeping food and water clean, fresh, and easily accessible, your chickens will stay healthy, hydrated, and happy, leading to better egg production and overall well-being.

8. Chicken Furniture (Roosts)

Chickens need a comfortable place to sleep at night, and that’s where roosts (or perches) come in. Roosting is a natural behavior for chickens—they prefer to sleep off the ground, and having a good place to perch helps keep them safe from potential predators and provides a space for them to rest their legs.

When setting up roosts in your coop, aim for at least 8 to 12 inches of space per chicken. The roosting bars should be placed high enough off the ground to allow the chickens to feel safe, but not so high that they might injure themselves when jumping down. A good height is around 2 to 3 feet, though this can vary depending on the size and agility of your flock.

Use smooth, rounded materials like 2x4s or thick branches for roosting bars. Avoid sharp edges, as these can cause injury to your birds’ feet. The bars should be positioned horizontally or slightly angled, as chickens like to stand with their feet flat. It’s also important to space the bars far enough apart so that chickens can comfortably roost side by side without crowding.

To prevent pecking and bullying, provide multiple roosting options, especially if you have a large flock. Consider placing the roosts in a tiered fashion or in different areas of the coop, allowing hens to choose their preferred spot.

With the right setup, your chickens will enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep, and you’ll have fewer problems with stressed or sick birds. Plus, it helps keep your coop tidy, as chickens will generally use the roosts instead of sleeping on the floor, which reduces the mess in the bedding.