Backyard Chicken Coop
The Benefits of Having an Outdoor Chicken Coop in Your Garden
Perhaps you have space in your garden or orchard and want to acquire chickens to collect fresh eggs every day. One of the best options is to opt for an outdoor chicken coop, as it has numerous benefits for both the birds and your garden and home. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of having an outdoor chicken coop in your garden. Additionally, we will provide some tips to help you choose the ideal coop for your birds.
Advantages of Outdoor Chicken Coops
Well-being of the Birds
If you are considering raising chickens, opting for an outdoor chicken coop will facilitate the proper well-being of these birds. Outdoor coops are usually more spacious than any indoor cage, providing more room for the chickens. They will receive direct sunlight and have greater contact with their surroundings. These aspects allow for a varied diet (insects, grass, etc.) and help the birds live without stress.
Quality of the Eggs
One of the great advantages of having your own chicken coop is that, thanks to laying hens, you will no longer need to buy eggs from the supermarket. Additionally, the well-being of the chickens is reflected in the quality of the eggs, so an outdoor coop will allow you to collect fresh, high-quality eggs almost every day. Similarly, if you also raise chickens for meat, the benefits of an outdoor coop will be reflected in the quality and flavor of the meat.
Combination with a Garden
Combining a chicken coop with a garden or orchard brings significant benefits for both elements, including:
Natural Fertilizer
Cleaning the chicken coop produces chicken manure, a mix of chicken droppings, feathers, food scraps, etc. Chicken manure is a natural fertilizer you can use to enrich your garden plants. This substance provides numerous beneficial nutrients to your garden plants or orchard crops.
Usable Crops
You can use some crops not only for your home but also to feed the chickens and hens. These birds are omnivorous and have a varied diet. Therefore, you can grow plants like Swiss chard, corn, lettuce, and even some fruits like melon to provide proper nutrition for your birds.
Easy Maintenance and Cleaning
Outdoor chicken coops, due to their size and location, usually have good access for people. This makes cleaning and maintenance easier, saving time and ensuring the coop and chickens are in good condition. This easy access also allows you to collect fresh eggs daily without any issues.
Tips for the Perfect Outdoor Chicken Coop
Structure of the Coop
It is very important that the outdoor coop is covered with mesh, both on the walls and the roof. This prevents chickens from being attacked by wild animals like foxes or hawks. Additionally, it should be the right size according to the number of chickens and hens you plan to have, and the structure should be sturdy and stable. Remember that the coop should have at least one door for cleaning, collecting eggs, providing clean water, etc.
When installing the coop, ensure it is in an area where the chickens have enough sunlight. It is also advisable not to place it near noisy areas that could stress the chickens, like a busy road.
Necessary Elements in the Coop
Inside the coop or chicken structure, chickens need various elements for their proper well-being. On one hand, feeders and drinkers are necessary, which can be either plastic or metal. On the other hand, they need a shelter where the chickens can stay covered. This should be elevated from the ground to avoid moisture and should include a perch or roosting bar for the birds to sleep on.
Chickens are creatures of habit and usually lay eggs in the same spot. Therefore, they also need nesting boxes, which can be part of the shelter itself. If you also plan to breed chickens, keep in mind that some nesting boxes can become nests where the chickens incubate the eggs.
Materials Used
The coop should be built with quality materials that can withstand different weather conditions like wind or rain. Therefore, the most recommended material is galvanized steel, both for the structure itself and the mesh. For the shelter where the chickens rest and where nesting boxes can be installed, the most commonly used material is wood. Our Youtube Channel has a complete library of useful videos that can help you start your own backyard chicken and egg production.
