Chicken Coop Ideas For Keeping Free Range Hens

Keeping free range chickens in your backyard can be a lot of fun.  The eggs will be fresh and taste delicious. If your aim is to have these birds as pets (like many people) you will not think about having the occasional Sunday roast dinner courtesy of your feathered flock, but this is an option particularly for any surplus cockerels.

None of this can be done without looking after your hens properly. So here are the 10 vital steps for raising and keeping your poultry happily and in great condition.

Step 1, choose the breed. It is vital to choose the right breed for your area and requirements.  Tolerance to hot or cold weather, good layers or for the pot, good pets or backyard scratchers – these are just a few of the considerations when choosing your flock.  Your local chicken supplier can advise, or other neighbors with hens of their own.  

Step 2, choose the right number of birds. Hens must have enough room to forage and nest. At least 10 square feet per bird is a good rule of thumb.  Divide this into the area you have allocated for the hen house and runs to give you the maximum number of chickens you can keep. For social reasons (the chickens, not you!) three is considered the minimum number of hens for a flock.

Step 3, decide how much time you will have available. Your chickens will need you to allocate some time every day for providing food and water, cleaning out the coop and other jobs such as checking the security of perimeter fencing. Budget about 15 minutes each day, at the same time if possible – hens love routine.

Step 4, build accommodation.  Poultry must have places to roost, nest and forage safely. They should have a place to shelter from the sun and a source of fresh water. Buy or make a hen house that has good access for cleaning and collecting eggs without upsetting the birds too much.

Step 5, provide protection. Safety from predators is vital, and threats come from many creatures including cats and dogs, rats, wild animals, birds of prey, even snakes.  Many of these are highly intelligent and very good at gaining access, especially over a period of time.  You need a secure hen house, at least, and should also consider providing a fenced run or pen with chicken wire sides buried to at least 12 inches.  The chicken run will need a top as well, if there are birds of prey around or the run is close to trees - to prevent your chickens taking flight!

Step 6, consider health precautions. There are quite a few diseases that can affect hens, and you need to check out those that are common in your locality.  Try speaking to local chicken farmers and vets, as well as online forums – people involved with hens are all very helpful.  

Step 7, identify applicable regulations.  You must comply with all national and local regulations relating to raising or keeping poultry, although often these are not too oppressive.  Your local town hall or government offices should be able to give you all the guidance and information you need.  

Step 8, provide a good diet.  Poultry must have access to a mixed diet of proteins, greens and grain, as well as fresh water. A good protein diet is important, and your local feed store will be able to advise on this.  Protein supplements and grit are sometimes needed, but usually free range hens will get enough from their own foraging. There must be a constant supply of fresh, clean water.  If you are going to be away you might need to fit automatic water dispensers for the chickens. Grains and greens are usually provided by foraging.  

Step 9, consider weather and climate.  Most chicken varieties are fairly tolerant of harsh climactic conditions, provided that you give them access to shade when the sun is overhead. They can take a surprising amount of cold but they need to keep their feet dry.  

Step 10, consider the local environment. Keeping chickens is usually regarded favorably by most people, so you should not face any problems here.  Perhaps talk to any neighbors who might have concerns about possible noise or smells, to reassure them.  They might like the thought of a supply of free range eggs on their doorstep!

You can see that these vital steps are neither difficult nor obscure.  Following them should ensure that you have happy and healthy chickens in your backyard. Oh, one last thing – each of those happy hens should provide you with 6 fresh, free range eggs per week for most of the year!

If you would like more information about how to build a chicken coop or where to get the best chicken house plans, please visit our website. Good luck and enjoy your chickens!