Chicken Houses

Chickens can make good pets, be very entertaining and even be trained to eat from their owners hands. While it is not advised to have your pet chickens around very young children, as your children get older they can learn some of life’s lessons from watching your chickens.

If you have pet chickens you will need chicken houses. These chicken houses are called coops and include chicken runs, nesting boxes, perches, drinking and watering areas, and storage areas for the chicken feed and other supplies.

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Hens normally make the best pets since they are quieter, especially if you live in a neighborhood. Roosters ten to be very loud and can sometimes become aggressive. Some people allow their pet chickens to roam freely throughout their backyards but most have chicken houses that serve as protection for your chickens from predators and protect your backyard from the chickens.

In most cases chickens do not require a tremendous amount of maintenance. The biggest concern is protecting your pet chickens from dogs, cats and birds of prey. If one of your prized pet chickens is left out of the chicken houses one night, then you could be waking up the next day to find that a dog or other predator has run off with or killed your chicken.

Chickens like to roost at night. The chicken houses that are equipped with nests, roosts and perches are ideal for your chickens to get the proper rest and sleep they need.

If you are looking to enjoy some fresh eggs produced by your chickens, then make sure you provide a nesting box. You do not need to have roosters as pets to have fresh eggs. Hens can lay eggs without the aid of a rooster. So if you want to stay with the non-aggressive hens as your pets you will still be able to enjoy fresh eggs daily.

Make sure you feed your chickens the right mix of commercial suggested foods, seeds, insects and green leafy vegetables or grass. Chickens can also eat pulverized eggshells, fruit, vegetables, potato peelings and some baked goods such as bread, biscuits and corn muffins. Never feed your chickens spoiled, rotten or strong tasting foods which cannot be easily digested. And never leave food in chicken houses where it can spoil. Always keep fresh food and water for your chicken to enjoy throughout the day.

Chicken houses should be well ventilated and have ample lighting. They need to have easy access capabilities for cleaning and for gathering eggs. They should be kept warm and free from drafts in the winter, and keep cool with fresh air in the summer. Make sure they are not made with any toxic materials that can make your pet chickens sick or harm them in any way.

Some chicken houses are raised to help reduce dampness and to hinder predators. If your coop is raised your chickens will sit under the coop during the day for shade and a sense of security. If you do not raise your chicken coop then provide ample shade during the day to keep your chickens comfortable.

Want to learn how to build chicken houses? Not sure where to start?

If your answer to the above questions is yes, then I strongly recommend that you check out Building A Chicken Coop for great plans and instructions.

This regularly updated, essential guide includes step by step plans, detailed instructions and more. Click here to go check it out now!