Small chicken coops should be fully enclosed. This stops predators being able to scale the walls to get in. If you are in an open area or suspect predators may be around, then you are also better off enclosing the floor too.
One way to think about this is but where circumstances do not permit such liberty, you can incorporate the following chicken coop basics into their enclosures. With a little thought at the design stage, a chicken coop interior can meet a whole range of everyday needs.
Can you keep chickens in a coop without a run?
A coop is in addition to a run around or to the side of a coop. PLEASE, “ never ” keep your chickens inside a coop without having a run and a door leading in and out of the chicken coop. Always build 4 walls for maximum protection.
How much space do chickens need in their coop?
A solid rule of thumb is if you plan to free range your birds either for part or all of the day, then you should provide 4 square feet per chicken in their coop. For birds that will remain cooped most of the day or all the time, then 10 square feet of space is necessary.
There are, however, other things to take into consideration, such as space requirements, ventilation, cleanliness, and chicken nesting boxes, and chicken roost ideas. So, let’s first talk about space requirements. Whether you build your own chicken coop or purchase one already made, the space requirements are the same.
What kind of floor do you put under a chicken coop?
When we built our chicken coop into a corner of our barn, we considered digging out the dirt floor and pouring a concrete slab. Concrete is the most expensive floor option for a coop.
Choosing the right floor for your chicken coop is incredibly important for your chickens’ health and happiness, and for your sanity. After all, you’re the one who has to build, clean, and maintain it.
Does concrete keep rats out of chicken coops?
In the love letter above from Erica to her concrete chicken coop floors, she says she loves that the concrete keeps the rats out of her coop. However, be aware that in some areas, even if rats can’t get into your coop, they may burrow underneath your concrete slab and nest there.
Most chicken keepers who have concrete love their concrete. Concrete is a very safe flooring choice as it keeps burrowing predators out. After the initial installation, concrete is low maintenance, does not rot like wood floors, and can take plenty of abuse without consequence. One of the nicest things about concrete is how easy it is to clean.