Creating the Perfect Chicken Coop

When it comes to creating the perfect chicken coop, we need to consider safety, comfort, durability, functionality and aesthetics.

As homeowners, we know that creating the perfect home is nearly impossible, but we try. Let’s do the same for our backyard chickens. We are going to explore the key factors that make a chicken coop perfect and hopefully have some happy chickens!

Safety is Priority One for the Perfect Chicken Coop

Safety can be divided into two areas: Chicken Proof and Predator Proof.

Chicken Proof Coop

By this I mean that the chicken coop should be safe for the chickens themselves. Similar to child proofing your home, you need to make sure the coop is not going to cause harm to the chickens.

Dangerous Components to Avoid/Repair:

• exposed nails, staples or screws
• sharp edges on hardware cloth
• loose roosting bars, unstable ramp
• small gaps that could entrap the chicken, a leg or toenail
• unclean environment that harbors disease or mites

Predator Proof Coop

We are not the only ones that think eggs and chicken taste really good. There are plenty of predators looking for the opportunity to attack the chickens and/or steal eggs.

• Raccoons
• Possums
• Foxes
• Coyotes
• Snakes
• Hawks
• Bears
• Dogs
• Cats
• People

And in case you’re wondering, that’s a snake grabber tool. It comes in very handy!

Take careful security measures to create a predator proof coop. This begins with the overall design of the coop and should feature the following:

• Hardware cloth covering all openings securely. Chicken wire is too flimsy.
• Lockable/latching doors, windows and nesting boxes. (See tip below!)
• Automatic door for entry into hen house that opens and closes daily.
• Secure and sturdy materials for construction of the coop and its roof.
• An apron of hardware cloth around the perimeter to prevent animals from digging under to gain access.
• Elevated hen house that is off the ground.
• If necessary, an electric fence
• Optional: security camera that is connected to your smart phone.

*Ginger Tip: Be careful when using self latching gate hardware! If you have a walk-in run and the door shuts behind you, you will be trapped inside the coop. Install a mechanism that allows you to open it from the inside! Ask me how I know…

The Perfect Chicken Coop is Comfortable

As backyard chicken keepers, we are responsible for providing more than just a humane environment. We need to create a space for the chickens to thrive and be happy.

Happy and healthy chickens means more eggs and less problems to handle like sickness, fighting, and disgruntled neighbors.

This means we need to have enough space for the flock, areas to roost, access to fresh food and water, clean dry bedding, ventilation, dust bath area, and protection from the elements.

What size coop should I have?

The coop size depends upon a few things:

• Local ordinance requirements and limitations
• Number of chickens
• Breed of chickens

I personally recommend 10 square feet per chicken. This refers to the run’s footprint, not the hen house. You can read details about coop size and more in my post The Truth About Raising Backyard Chickens.

I recommend 3-4 feet per chicken in the hen house, Since this space is primarily used for sleeping and laying eggs, it does not need to be as spacious as the run.

Areas to Roost

Chickens are more comfortable when they have a place to roost. In the hen house you need 12 inches per chicken in length and 2-3 inches wide with rounded edges. The roosts in a perfect chicken coop are staggered in a stair step fashion to prevent sleeping hens from pooping on the ones below.

Provide roosts in the run space as well. As long as they have a place to rest up off the ground, they will be happy. Sometimes chickens squabble and having the ability to retreat to a separate spot in the coop is helpful.

Fresh Food and Water

The perfect chicken coop has fresh food and water available to the chickens. Automatic systems that prevent spillage and waste are ideal. Ones that are easy to refill are even better.

I’ve seen chicken coops that have rain collection systems to supplement fresh water and provide sustainability-genius!

Clean Dry Bedding

In my opinion, the best litter for the perfect chicken coop is natural hemp bedding. I like it better than pine shavings because it lasts longer, is less dusty and is tidier.

In the nesting boxes, I highly recommend nesting pads for ease of cleaning and tidiness.

Ventilation

Chickens are pooping all the time, even in their sleep. The build up of moisture and ammonia will wreak havoc on the flock’s health if not handled properly. Ensure that there is ventilation in the hen house through windows and/or openings near the roof line. These should also be covered with hardware cloth to prevent climbing predators from gaining access.

Dust Bath Area

Chickens need dirt to get clean. In a perfect chicken coop, they have a spot with loose soil mixed with ashes and diatomaceous earth. This keeps them healthy, free from mites and comfortable! Plus it’s very entertaining to watch.

Protection from the Elements

First and foremost, the coop must remain dry inside. You’ve heard the phrase “madder than a wet hen” before, right? The run should have complete or partial coverage to provide shelter from the rain, sun and snow.

The perfect coop is also insulated to maintain comfortable temperatures during extreme weather.

The coop should be located in a spot that offers some shade, but receives enough sunlight for the chickens to sunbathe and keep up with egg production. It should also be located on high enough ground to avoid flooding.

Happy chickens sunbathing is also fun to watch. The first time I witnessed this, I thought my hens were dying!

The Perfect Chicken Coop is Durable

Whether you are purchasing or building your chicken coop, the perfect coop should be durable. The materials should be strong enough to withstand storms, water, heat, predators, and use.

Mother Nature can strike at any time. Small flimsy coops will topple, collapse and rot in no time at all. Look for materials that are durable:

• hardwood
• metal roofs
• heavy duty plastic
• metal hardware cloth

Features of Functionality

In order to make raising backyard chickens easier, the perfect coop will feature several conveniences for the owner.

• electricity
• automatic doors
• water warmers in the winter
• misting systems or fans in the summer
• pull out trays for cleaning
• security cameras
• storage area for feed, snacks, bedding material and more
• running water source nearby
• closable windows during inclement weather
• washable construction materials
• walk-in height for easy access and cleaning
• poop boards/slings under roosts
• Secure hooks for hanging feeders and waterers

I love my Omlet Eglu Cube chicken coop because the heavy duty plastic is durable and able to withstand pressure washing. The optional feeders, roosts, waterers and toys are amazing. The automatic door and predator proof apron all make this an almost perfect coop!

Omlet does a wonderful job of providing accessories and add-ons to the Eglu cube. Over the years, I’ve extended my run into a extra large walk-in area. I’ve purchased waterers, feeders, hanging treat holders, roosts, automatic doors and more that snap into place easily.

My only complaint is that the appearance of the chicken coop is not the traditional “farmhouse” coop that appeals to so many.

This brings me to my final section about creating the perfect chicken coop: aesthetics.

Aesthetics

Let’s face it, sometimes we want more than just a safe and functional chicken coop. We want one that is nice to see in the backyard. When it comes to chicken coop aesthetics, the choices are endless! My dream coop is from Carolina Coops. They are gorgeous!

Clever ways to add charm and appeal to your chicken coop:

• Add shutters to coop windows
• Paint the coop a fun color or match it to your house
• Attach window boxes
• Add hanging planters with pretty flowers
• Add a cupola with rooster weathervane
• Twinkle lights in the winter are festive
• Metal signs and decor items
• Vinyl flooring in the hen house
• Curtains in the nesting boxes/windows
• Wreaths and holiday decor
• Greenery around the coop (plants that chickens avoid!)

I asked ChatGPT to add landscaping and a stone path to my coop area. What do you think?

I think it’s time to start planting and making my coop the perfect chicken coop!

The perfect chicken coop is more than just safety and functionality; it’s sometimes a work of art. Enjoy the process of creating your own perfect chicken coop and enjoy your backyard chickens!

Read more in my post The Truth about Raising Backyard Chickens: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start.

Need help choosing your first flock? Read my guide to Best Backyard Chicken Breeds.