Backyard Chicken Coop Setup
Intro
When we decided to start raising backyard chickens, one of the first things we needed was a safe and comfortable chicken coop. In this post I’ll share our backyard chicken coop setup and why we chose to let our chickens free range in our fenced yard.
Our Backyard Chicken Coop Setup
Raising backyard chickens has been one of the most rewarding parts of starting our little homestead. Not only do we get fresh eggs, but the chickens have also become a fun and entertaining part of our daily routine.
One of the most important parts of keeping chickens is having a safe and comfortable coop for them to live in. Today I wanted to share our backyard chicken coop setup and how we care for our flock of Production Red chickens.
Our coop isn't fancy, but it works well for our backyard and provides everything our chickens need to stay safe, comfortable, and productive.
Watch the Coop Build
When we first decided to start raising chickens, we needed a coop that would work well for our backyard and keep our flock safe. I actually filmed the process of building our chicken coop, and you can watch that video below.
I wanted a challenge and tried my best to build the coop on a budget. Some coops out there are a about $500 and I wanted to be as cost effective as possible for this project. So, I opted for pallet wood. I searched my town for good pieces of pallet wood and built the coop primarily from that. Plus in our county, there is a $100 chicken permit fee we have to pay to have them in a residential area.
The roof is made of corrugated metal that you would use to line planter beds.
Our Chicken Coop
Our chicken coop is located in the backyard and provides a secure place for the chickens to! sleep and lay their eggs.
Inside the coop we have:
Nesting boxes where the hens lay eggs
A walkway to the nesting boxes that also doubles as an area to roost.
Bedding to keep the coop clean and comfortable
A secure door and 1/4" wiring embedded within the build to keep predators and pests out.
Chickens naturally return to the coop in the evening to roost, so each night we make sure everyone is inside before closing the coop for the night.
I also added a solar motion sensor light on the inside of the coop for lighting at night and a light on the back part of the coop directed for the feed bin; which is a metal trash can that I picked up at a liquidation store.
Nesting Boxes
The nesting boxes are where the hens lay their eggs.
We keep bedding in the nesting boxes so the eggs stay clean and the hens have a comfortable place to lay.
Even though there are multiple nesting boxes available, our chickens usually prefer laying eggs in the same one. It’s not unusual for us to find several eggs all in a single nesting box!
Bedding in the Coop
Inside the coop we use bedding to help absorb moisture and keep the space clean.
Good bedding helps reduce odors and makes cleaning the coop much easier. It also keeps the nesting boxes comfortable for the hens when they lay eggs.
Keeping the coop clean is an important part of maintaining a healthy flock.
Supplies We Use for Our Chicken Coop
If you're setting up your own coop, here are a few of the supplies we use for our flock.
Nesting Pads
These help keep eggs cleaner and provide a comfortable surface inside the nesting boxes.
Chicken Waterer
I did have a did have a different DIY setup initially for the waterer, but the ports started leaking over time and had to just buy a waterer instead. We use a 2-gallon poultry waterer that keeps fresh water available for the flock throughout the day. We bought ours from Rural King.
https://www.ruralking.com/little-giant-2-gallon-double-wall-poultry-chicken-fountain-9832
Feeder Ports
We used feeder ports to make a DIY feeder using a bucket. This helps keep feed cleaner and reduces waste.
Our Daily Chicken Routine
Taking care of chickens quickly becomes part of the daily routine around the homestead.
Our usual routine looks something like this:
Morning
Check on the chickens/ greet them
Check food and water
Noon
Collect eggs
- We wait until around noon to collect eggs. Prime time for hens to lay is between 8AM and Noon.
- Why?
- Morning light triggers the release of hormones that start ovulation, with most hens laying by early afternoon, particularly in spring and summer. (1)
Let the chickens explore the yard
Evening
Make sure everyone returns to the coop
Close the coop for the night
It’s a simple routine that doesn’t take much time, but it’s always fun to see what the chickens are up to each day.
Great idea — this is actually a very good section to add because people search things like “should chickens free range or stay in a run.” It also adds your personal homestead experience, which makes the post more valuable.
Here’s a section you can insert into your blog post. A good place would be right after “The Chicken Run” section.
Why We Chose to Let Our Chickens Free Range
Even though we have a movable run, we decided to allow our chickens to free range in our backyard during the day.
Our backyard is fully fenced, which helps keep the flock contained. We also blocked off access to our garden so the chickens can't get into the plants or vegetables.
To help keep them safe, we’ve clipped their wings so they’re less likely to fly over the fence. Our yard also has quite a bit of cover from trees and structures, which provides protection from overhead predators.
Another advantage is that our backyard is fairly small, so it’s easier for us to keep an eye on the chickens throughout the day. Our dog also spends time outside and naturally patrols the yard, which adds another layer of protection.
For our situation, free ranging has worked well and gives the chickens more space to explore.
Benefits of Free Ranging Chickens
Allowing chickens to free range has a few advantages.
More natural behavior
Chickens naturally love to scratch through the dirt looking for bugs, seeds, and plants. Free ranging allows them to express these behaviors more naturally.
Extra food sources
While they still get their regular feed, free range chickens often find bugs and other small snacks around the yard.
Healthier Grass
Between all the scratching and the poop, chickens can be great for lawns. They're natural aerators, fertilizers, and pest control. This is also why I don't just keep them in a run, they'll eventually just make dirt holes from being in one spot for too long.
More exercise
Having more space to move around helps keep chickens active and healthy.
Entertainment value
Watching chickens wander around the yard, scratch through the dirt, and explore is honestly part of the fun of having them.
Potential Downsides of Free Ranging
While free ranging works well for us, it does come with some potential drawbacks.
Predators
Chickens that roam freely may be more exposed to predators depending on the area you live in.
Garden damage
Chickens love digging in garden beds and eating plants, so protecting the garden area is important.
Egg hiding
Sometimes free range chickens will decide to lay eggs in hidden spots around the yard instead of the nesting boxes. This is also why I we wait until noon to let them out.
Finding What Works for Your Backyard
Every backyard setup is a little different. Some people prefer keeping chickens in a run full time, while others allow them to free range part of the day.
For our setup, letting the chickens roam the fenced backyard has worked well and gives them more room to explore while still keeping them close to home.
Final Thoughts
Starting a backyard chicken coop doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple setup that keeps chickens safe, dry, and comfortable is really all you need.
Our flock of Production Red chickens has been a great addition to our backyard homestead, and collecting fresh eggs never gets old.
Backyard chickens have quickly become one of our favorite parts of homestead life.
Follow Our Homesteading Journey
Here on Casual Homesteader, I share our experiences with backyard chickens, gardening, homestead projects, and learning how to live a little more self-sufficiently one step at a time.
Thanks for stopping by Casual Homesteader 🌱
Here I share our experiences raising backyard chickens, gardening, and learning how to live a little more self-sufficiently one project at a time.
— Ashley
Comments
Post a Comment