What direction should my chicken coop face?

Many poultry farmers advise to build a chicken coop in the direction facing south. This way, the chooks can receive enough sunlight the entire day. During the cold winter months, the days are shorter, which means there is not enough sunlight.
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Should chicken coops be in the sun or shade?

The reason most chicken coops should be built in the shade, if possible, is because chickens tend to really struggle with the heat. A cool coop in the summer is, in most cases, more important than a warm coop in the winter.
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Where should you not put a chicken coop?

Chickens do not like to be pummeled by rain, so there should be someplace for them to hide when the weather turns. But don't place their chicken coops where they will not get any sunshine. This is just as important, especially in the winter months. An ideal setup would be to have a few deciduous trees in the area.
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How close should a chicken coop be to a house?

While many communities don't address chicken housing, those that do have widely varying requirements. Typically such laws will specify that chickens must be housed some distance from residences, as few as 10 feet or as many as 150 feet.
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Should you put windows in a chicken coop?

Your chickens will spend a lot of time in the coop so they need fresh air, designing a coop with sliding windows is a great way to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the summer. When you build a chicken coop you must consider how will you keep the floors clean in your coop.
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Backyard Chickens: How to Design Your Chicken Coop



How cold is too cold for chickens?

What is this? Cold weather chickens can withstand temps around or slightly below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit to about ten degrees Fahrenheit).
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Should you stain the inside of a chicken coop?

Ensure that you use an exterior paint or stain because these hold up against the weather conditions and will give your chicken coop extra protection that interior paints can't.
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Why do chicken coops need to face south?

In warm conditions keep the sun off the coop and in the cold weather a south facing window will help warm the insides. For example a southern facing coop with windows on the east and west sides and a big door or windows on the south side will help your coop to stay warmer.
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Can chickens stay in the coop all day?

So yes, chickens can stay inside their coop all day as long as they have everything they need for the entire day, including light. If your coop does not have windows you can put in lights and a timer, but that often requires running electric and many people don't want to do that outside.
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Do chicken coops attract mice?

In short: yes, but maybe not for the reason you think. It is a common misconception that chickens attract rats and mice, but they aren't actually interested in chickens. Plenty of food and a comfortable place to eat it will attract rats in no time.
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Do chicken coops need to be dark?

Windows have additional benefits beyond letting in fresh air. Sunlight is necessary for egg laying and to stave off disease. Chickens can't see in the dark. If your coop looks like a windowless doghouse, your hens will stay put on their roosts, even if the sun is shining outside.
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Do chickens need a fan in the summer?

Make sure it is always available so your chickens can regulate their water intake themselves. Install a fan in the coop. This tip isn't always possible without messing up the structure of the coop, but a small fan can circulate air and keep your flock cooler during the summer months.
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How many hours of sunlight do chickens need to lay eggs?

Hens will begin laying when the amount of daylight reaches 14 hours per day during early spring. Maximum egg laying will occur when the day length reaches 16 hours per day. This biological marvel is perfectly designed so that chicks hatch in spring and develop and mature during the warmer summer months.
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Do chickens need a light in their coop at night?

Chickens do not need light at night. They require at least 6 to 8 hours of darkness to get a good night's sleep. This downtime is imperative to the chicken's health and well-being, just as much as daylight or artificial light for 12 to 14 hours per day is critical for laying eggs.
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What time should chickens be let out in the morning?

Normally around sunrise is best, but if your work schedule dictates that you leave before sunup, as long as your run is predator-proofed, you can open the coop door and the chickens will come out on their own when it gets light out.
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Do chickens prefer grass or dirt?

Chickens love scratching up dirt, dust bathing in it, and gobbling up grass, weed seeds, and insects, worms, and other invertebrates they find while scratching. When confined to a small outdoor run even a few chickens will soon devour every bit of grass and convert it to bare dirt.
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How many chickens will a 4x8 Coop hold?

Heavy Breeds

Thus, a 4′ by 8′ coop would be adequate for about 8 birds. If you keep your chickens confined to the coop at all times, then you should provide 10 square feet per bird.
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What kind of shade do chickens need?

If your flock is confined to a run most of the day, you may want to consider a shade cloth. My chicken run was in full sun and the pergola area was uncovered, so a shade cloth was a tremendous help. This shade cloth from Coolaroo works great to provide lots of shade in the run area.
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What is the best color for a chicken house?

White – will reflect heat in the summer, keeping the interior of the chicken coop cooler than dark colors. White also looks fresh and clean. Yellow – bright and sunny, yellow can have a calming effect on chickens. Orange – bright but not too intense, orange reminds chickens of daylight.
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How do you seal gaps in chicken coop?

Nearly all coops have plenty of cracks between boards, at the edges of windows and doors, and where the roof joins the walls. An inexpensive caulking gun filled with a tube of silicone caulk quickly plugs cracks and holes. Caulking doesn't usually work on wide cracks but expanding foam does.
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What colors do chickens like?

Because chickens are attracted to the color red, many retailers make chicken feeders and waterers red to attract the chickens to them.
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Do you need a heat lamp for chickens in the winter?

Heat lamps are useful for brooders and young chicks, but a flock of healthy chickens will be just fine without supplemental heat. Chickens are great at keeping themselves warm, and the risk of a fire that could be dangerous to your flock is not worth it.
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How do I make my chicken coop warmer?

To help small coops retain heat, cover them with blankets or tarps during the coldest months. In a huge coop, you might lower the ceiling or erect temporary walls to shrink the space occupied by your chickens. Finally, provide a warm, dry floor with biodegradable bedding.
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How do you winterize a chicken run?

Recap: Steps for Winterizing Chicken Coops
  1. Check the coop for cracks and repair any holes to prevent drafts.
  2. Add extra shavings for insulation, and clean out regularly.
  3. Provide heat and lighting when necessary.
  4. Offer a nutritious diet higher in fat.
  5. Clear out snow when necessary.
  6. Lock chickens up at night.
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Do chickens sleep all night long?

Sleeping Habits

Like most birds, chickens sleep whenever it is dark and will wake as soon as the morning grows light enough for them to start their daily routine.
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