As eager as would-be chicken keepers tend to be, it’s not always easy to know where to begin, but these lovely birds are easier to keep than most people imagine. The coop (or house) is usually what first comes to mind when people think about getting chickens. There are many options for coops, but they all need certain components to satisfy the needs of you and your chickens. A strongly built coop, some sort of weatherproof structure to keep your chickens out of the rain and wind, will become the centre of their universe.
There are ready-made coops available in farm shops. If your budget stretches to this, they will provide instant housing for your chickens, but many people build their own. Whether your coop is A-frame, box-like, tall or short, plain or stylish, it needs several essential components.
SIZE
How big should your coop be? It depends on how many chickens you plan to house. When considering coop size, remember that although chickens in an established group are generally fine in each other’s company, a bullied bird needs enough space to get away from the others. Crowded conditions foster disease because the birds will come into contact with faeces as they
