chicken coops<\/a>, ventilation is clutch for a healthy home.<\/p>\nProper airflow keeps ammonia levels down and reduces moisture buildup.<\/p>\n
Installing windows on opposite sides allows cross-ventilation.<\/p>\n
I put windows on the north and south walls so breezes blow straight through.<\/p>\n
Vents up near the roofline also let hot air escape.<\/p>\n
I cut vents into the highest areas and saw a noticeable difference.<\/p>\n
In the summer, I prop doors open for added airflow.<\/p>\n
Fans and misters in the coop provide a cooling breeze.<\/p>\n
Breathable roofing materials like corrugated metal also improve ventilation.<\/p>\n
My tin roof keeps things well-ventilated up top.<\/p>\n
And make sure litter stays dry – damp bedding breeds bacteria.<\/p>\n
I rake the litter daily and add fresh shavings weekly.<\/p>\n
Following proper ventilation guidelines keeps the coop smelling fresh!<\/p>\n
Now let’s gab about easy coop cleaning for newbie chicken keepers.<\/p>\n
Daily spot cleaning prevents a big mess from building up.<\/p>\n
I scrape droppings off roosts and clean out waterers each morning.<\/p>\n
This takes just 10-15 minutes and makes a difference.<\/p>\n
Weekly deep cleans keep the coop sanitized.<\/p>\n
Removing all litter and disinfecting the surfaces resets the space.<\/p>\n
I use a natural citrus cleaner then put down fresh pine shavings.<\/p>\n
Bi-annual coop scrubs remove stubborn grime and rejuvenate the coop.<\/p>\n
I do a super deep clean twice a year with a pressure washer.<\/p>\n
It blasts away layers of muck for a like-new coop.<\/p>\n
Having designated cleaning tools makes the work easier.<\/p>\n
I use a kit with shovel, stiff-bristled brush, and bucket.<\/p>\n
Cleaning as you go prevents chickens from living in filth.<\/p>\n
Give their home the TLC it deserves!<\/p>\n
Alright chicken folk, that’s all this rooster has for today.<\/p>\n
I hope these coop tips help your flock thrive.<\/p>\n
Stay tuned for more backyard chicken chatter, coming to you from Tanner Barnsley.<\/p>\n
Now let me rustle up some grub before I start pecking at seed myself!<\/p>\n
<\/span>Coops with Chicken Runs<\/span><\/h2>\nAttaching a fenced run to your coop gives chickens room to roam safely outdoors.<\/p>\n
Chicken wire or hardware cloth fencing sunk into the ground secures the run perimeter.<\/p>\n
Burying fencing at least 12 inches deters digging predators and escape artists.<\/p>\n
Multiple access points between coop and run allow free movement between spaces.<\/p>\n
I built a wide walkway from my coop into an attached 20 foot long run.<\/p>\n
Shade sources like trees or shade cloths give relief from sun exposure.<\/p>\n
Partially covering runs provides weather protection.<\/p>\n
My run has a tin roof over half the space to stay dry.<\/p>\n
Nesting boxes and perches in the run let chickens enjoy outdoor living.<\/p>\n
I made a movable A-frame roost and nest box for all-day access.<\/p>\n
Rotating runs between grassy patches prevents soil depletions.<\/p>\n
I have two runs to alternate my flock between so the grass recovers.<\/p>\n
Cleaning runs routinely removes manure buildup.<\/p>\n
I rake weekly and till the soil occasionally to refresh.<\/p>\n
Give your chickens the best of indoor and outdoor living!<\/p>\n
<\/span>Elevated Chicken Coops<\/span><\/h2>\nElevated coops deter crawling predators and prevent flooding.<\/p>\n
Building on stilts or posts raises the coop floor several feet.<\/p>\n
I used cinder blocks to elevate my coop and discourage predators.<\/p>\n
Ramps or stairs give chickens access to the elevated entry.<\/p>\n
My ramp has slats for easy climbing up to the door.<\/p>\n
Raising the coop provides dry ground and airflow underneath.<\/p>\n
I can stash supplies beneath and the hens stay dry in rain.<\/p>\n
Elevated coops may need additional railing or fencing.<\/p>\n
I encircled mine with aviary mesh to prevent falls.<\/p>\n
Bolting the structure to sturdy posts or footings adds stability.<\/p>\n
Securing it to two pressure-treated 4×4 posts prevents rocking.<\/p>\n
Take precautions for chickens’ safety when building up high!<\/p>\n
<\/span>Solar or Wind Powered Coops<\/span><\/h2>\nAlternative energy systems let you run electric coop features off-grid.<\/p>\n
Solar panels mounted on the roof collect energy to power lights or devices.<\/p>\n
I have a small solar setup for my water heater and ventilation fan.<\/p>\n
Wind turbines also harness natural energy for electricity.<\/p>\n
Position them to catch the most wind without too much noise.<\/p>\n
Deep cycle batteries store power and extend usage at night or on low-wind days.<\/p>\n
I have two large batteries that hold plenty of reserve energy.<\/p>\n
Power inverters convert DC current from batteries to standard AC current.<\/p>\n
This lets me plug normal devices into my off-grid power supply.<\/p>\n
For eco-friendly energy, look into Yeti or Goal Zero solar generators.<\/p>\n
With some DIY skills, you can install solar yourself and go green.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Multi-Level Chicken Coops<\/span><\/h2>\nBuilding upwards utilizes vertical space for more floor area.<\/p>\n
Stacked boxes or converted sheds create two or more coop levels.<\/p>\n
I renovated an old shed into a 2-story coop masterpiece.<\/p>\n
Ramps between levels allow easy movement between floors.<\/p>\n
The ramp from first to second floor has a gentle incline for comfort.<\/p>\n
Separate activities on different levels reduces congestion.<\/p>\n
My first floor has food and water while upper has roosts and nests.<\/p>\n
Smaller flocks often do fine sharing space.<\/p>\n
But large groups appreciate multiple levels.<\/p>\n
Greater floor space reduces crowding issues.<\/p>\n
Building up takes more work but maximizes room for chickens to live their best lives!<\/p>\n
<\/span>Portable Chicken Coops<\/span><\/h2>\nMobile coops provide flexible housing you can move anywhere.<\/p>\n
Towing hitches make it easy to relocate the coop around your property.<\/p>\n
I used a tractor tow hitch to easily move my portable coop.<\/p>\n
Wheels lift the floor frame so you can pull or push to a new spot.<\/p>\n
Caster wheels offer smooth rolling in any direction.<\/p>\n
Lightweight materials like plastic or tin minimize weight.<\/p>\n
My mobile coop uses an aluminum frame to keep it light.<\/p>\n
Locking wheel brakes prevent unwanted rolling once parked.<\/p>\n
I flip levers to lock the wheels when stationary.<\/p>\n
Multi-level models have fold down options for travel.<\/p>\n
Relocatable coops let you give chickens fresh scenery!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Now I know what you’re thinking… “Tanner, ain’t a coop just a coop? What’s there to talk about?” And to that I say – oh heck no! Not all coops are created equal. A good coop keeps your chickens safe, makes egg collecting a breeze, and gives your feathery gals room to flap about. So […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3223,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3219"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3219"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3316,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3219\/revisions\/3316"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chickenrise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}