Chicken coop: how to please and make your chickens happy?

You are getting ready to welcome your chickens into the brand new henhouse that you have installed in your garden. Of course, you have followed the usual administrative procedures regarding its installation to the letter. You are therefore ready to welcome your pullets, who will give you good fresh eggs and fertilizer for the garden, in exchange for room and board. Building a chicken coop is quite simple, considering the many models available online or in stores. However, these are generally sold, raw, without accessories. Chickens need some essential accessories for their well-being. But what are they? And, how can you make your chickens the happiest in the world? We look at the question.

What does the law say about a chicken coop?

Concerning the construction of the latter, you must first of all contact your town hall to find out if the installation of a domestic chicken coop is authorized. Be careful with gardens located within the perimeter of a historic building such as a church, the regulations may differ. The authorizations to request depend on the floor space of your henhouse:

• Less than 5 m²: no authorization required
• From 5 to 20 m²: prior declaration of work
• More than 20 m²: building permit

Finally, regarding the henhouse, you must also file a declaration with the mayor of the place where the birds are kept. And this even if your henhouse is less than 5 m² of floor space.

What accessories are essential for their well-being?

To thrive, your chickens first need space, and the recommendation is 1 m² per chicken, or more if possible. Here is the list of essential accessories:

• Perches, because chickens climb them to protect themselves from predators. They use them especially at night, to sleep with their heads warm in their plumage. Hens do their business from perches, remember to leave the empty space below. In addition, these must all be placed at the same height from the ground, to avoid hierarchy problems between your chickens!
• Nesting boxes are obviously essential if your chickens are “layers”. They must be inside the henhouse, but accessible from the outside. The recommendations are one nest for 4 hens, preferably in a dark and confined space.

• A ventilation system, because chicken droppings can very quickly become a smelly hell. In addition, the ammonia they contain may be toxic to chickens. Finally, without ventilation, you leave the door wide open to the proliferation of bacteria, viruses and parasites. The ventilation system must be at a height, but never at the same level as the hens when they are on the ground.
• An access ramp is also essential, however generally supplied with the chicken coop, unless you build it yourself. The ramp allows chickens to come and go as they please from the henhouse and avoid any injury. Ideally, the entrance to the ramp could be closed, or close automatically at a certain time, to protect them from predators.

Finally, you obviously need to provide a feeder and a drinker, or even a food dispenser, which will save you from having to refill your food every day. As for the water, it must be changed every day and kept clear and clear. You will find all these chicken coop accessories on Amazon, Cdiscount or Bricomarché.

Which optional ones are beneficial for your chickens and for yourself?

Chickens often make do with perches, nest boxes, ramps and basic feeding equipment. However, it is always possible to improve the comfort of your chickens and yours by adding additional accessories to your chicken coop. After all, raising chickens should be fun. Here are some options that will make the maintenance and life of your chickens easier:

• Droppings drawer: makes cleaning easier by quickly removing droppings.
• Removable roof: provides easy access to feed and care for your chickens.
• Sandbox: helps clean feathers and eliminate parasites.
• Automatic opening: protects your chickens from nocturnal predators effortlessly.
• Wire mesh enclosure: allows chickens to move around safely while limiting their space.

There you are, you are ready to welcome your chickens in optimal conditions, they will thank you for your efforts, with good eggs, every day! What do you think of these tips? Do you have other accessories already installed in your henhouse that you think are essential for your pullets? Give us your opinion, or share your experience with us. Please notify us of any errors in the text, click here to post a comment.