Chicken Coops

The best location for a chicken coop depends on a variety of factors, including the climate, the size of your flock, and the layout of your property. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when selecting a location for your chicken coop:

1. Accessibility: You should choose a location that is easily accessible for you to clean, feed, and collect eggs. The coop should be close enough to your house that you can monitor your chickens regularly.
2. Space: Chickens need a lot of space to move around, scratch, and dustbathe. Make sure you choose a location that provides ample space for your flock to roam freely.
3. Shelter: The coop should be located in a spot that offers protection from the elements, such as wind, rain, and snow. The coop should be insulated and well- ventilated to keep your chickens comfortable year-round.
4. Sunlight: Chickens need plenty of natural sunlight to lay eggs and stay healthy. Choose a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
5. Predator Protection: Make sure the location you choose provides protection from predators such as foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and stray dogs. Consider using a fenced-in area or adding extra security features to your coop.
6. Drainage: Choose a location that is well-drained and not prone to flooding, to prevent your chickens from standing in water and potentially getting sick.
7. Convenience: Consider the proximity to utilities such as electricity and water, as well as the distance from neighbors who may be sensitive to noise and smells associated with chickens.

Overall, the best location for your chicken coop is one that is safe, comfortable, and convenient for both you and your flock.

Keeping your chicken coop cool during the summer months is important to ensure the health and well-being of your chickens. Here are some tips that can help:

1. Provide Proper Ventilation: Your Yoderbilt Greenhouse is equipped with excellent ventilation.
2. Shade the Coop if Possible: Create some shade for your coop by using trees, tarps, or other materials. This will help reduce the amount of direct sunlight and heat that the coop receives.
3. Provide Fresh Water: Ensure that your chickens have access to fresh, cool water always. You can place a water dispenser in a shaded area to keep the water cool.
4. Use Sprinklers or Misters: Sprinklers or misters can help cool down the temperature of the air around the coop. You can set them up in the area around the coop to create a cool breeze. If electrical is available, use fans in addition to the sprinklers.
5. Adjust Feeding Schedule: Feed your chickens during the cooler hours of the day to reduce the amount of heat generated in the coop.
6. Provide Dust Baths: Dust baths are not only essential for your chickens' hygiene but also help them cool off. You can create a dust bath area in the coop using sand, dirt, or wood ash.

By implementing these measures, you can keep your chicken coop cool and comfortable for your birds during the hot summer months.

Yoderbilt Chicken Coops are equipped with proper ventilation to keep you and your chickens safe. Proper ventilation is extremely important in a chicken coop to remove moisture, remove ammonia, control the temperature, and provide fresh air. Each coop comes standard with gable auto-vents, wire covered windows on 3 sides and optional exhaust fan installation that is included in the electrical package add-on.

When it comes to chicken coops, the adage "bigger is better" holds true. There are several reasons why a larger coop is preferable for your feathered friends:

1. Space for the Birds to Move Around: Chickens need space to move around and stretch their wings. If your coop is too small, they can become stressed, which can lead to feather picking, egg-eating, and other negative behaviors. A larger coop will give your birds the space they need to move around freely and maintain their health.
2. Better Ventilation: A larger coop will have better ventilation, which is important for the health of your birds. Good ventilation helps to prevent the buildup of moisture and ammonia, which can lead to respiratory issues.
3. Easier to Clean: A larger coop is easier to clean, which is important for keeping your birds healthy. With more space, you can use a rake or a shovel to quickly remove manure and bedding, and you will have more space to move around while you're cleaning.
4. Room to Grow: If you are planning on expanding your flock in the future, a larger coop will give you room to do so without having to build a new coop. Chickens also need space to roost and lay eggs, and a larger coop will give them plenty of room to do so comfortably.

Overall, a larger coop will provide a more comfortable and healthier environment for your chickens, which will result in happier birds and a better supply of eggs.

Our coop has a 7′ x 16′ run, with a 3′ x 7′ coop and has two 7-foot roosting bars. So, 12-14 standard size chickens would be comfortable in the run, if they cannot free range, and 12-14 standard-size chickens can roost comfortably in the coop.

No concrete pads are required for our chicken coops. In fact, we recommend placing right on the ground so your chickens have grass in the exterior area. We recommend a level spot in your yard for placement.