THE CHICKEN HOUSE

1. The chicken house should be large enough for roosts, nesting boxes, water and feed. Usually 3 square feet for each bird is good. If you build it smaller, there is a higher chance of disease and cannibalism. The floor should be covered with straw or wood shavings.

2. The roosts should be 2 inch diameter poles laid horizontally 2 feet to 3 feet off the ground. It is good to have about 1 foot of space per bird for sleeping on the roost.

3. Nesting boxes should be one foot square and placed 1-2 feet off the floor. Placing them on an inside wall is good. For 25 birds you will need 8-10 nests. Line the boxes with hay or wood shavings.

4. A good poultry house protects the chickens from the weather, predators and injury. Some areas have problems with theft, so you will have to take that into consideration when building.

5. The house should be free of drafts, but with adequate ventilation when needed. Build it in a well drained area.

6. The larger the chicken run, the better it will be. If you have a problem with predators, or theft, then the run should be covered with wire.

7. Provide shade in the run.

8. The house should have a window.

9. Open the door and window inward.

10. Place the house on concrete blocks if possible, to hinder snakes and rodents.

11. Bury the wire along the run border one foot deep and toe it out about 6 inches.

12. If there is still a problem with predators, lock the chickens up in the house at night.

13. Provide some sort of vegetation such as millet or some kind of tall leafy vegetation, to provide cover for the chickens.

14. Make the appearance of the poultry house nice. If you live in town, this is especially important. Keep the exterior painted and well maintained.

15. Build the roof high enough for your purposes. Make the nests, feeders, roosts etc. within easy access. Make the house easy to clean.

16. Install one light over the feeding and watering areas.

17. Once a year you will need to disinfect the house, so use building materials that will make that easier.

18. Slope the floor toward the door, so when you do disinfect the house, it will be easier to spray and dry out.

19. A cupola is good ventilation for the top of a chicken house.

20. If you live in a cold climate, be sure and insulate the house.

21. Keep the chicken house dry.

22. It is a good idea to put wire above the nests from the front of the nests angled up and back to the wall behind the nests. This prevents roosting on the nests.

23. Have a perch in front of the nests.

24. Have the front board of each nest removable for easy cleaning of the nests.