Best of 4 Considerations You Need to Incorporate in Your Hen House Design

Designing and building a chicken coop can be a complex process.  Especially if you don't work as a Drafter, or Carpenter.  So, to make things easier, let's go over just 4 things that will help you along in this process. 

The 4 things we will discuss are:

maintenance
yard space
protection from the elements
Proper ventilation

These 4 topics should get you closer to a proper hen house design.

1. Maintenance

A well designed hen house will make maintenance a snap.  Design your house so it has easy access from the outside.  You will need a large access door to clean inside the coop, smaller access doors to the nesting boxes so you can collect eggs, and a small door to allow your hens access to the outside.  Also possibly windows to allow for light and ventilation.

2. Yard Space

Make sure you have adequate space in your yard.  If you are building your hen house in a back yard, don't go overboard.  To many hens in a small area is never a good idea.  Make sure you plan ahead.  If you have a small backyard 2 to 4 hens is plenty.  You will get approximately 1 to 3 eggs a day and the amount of hens won't be unmanageable for your yard.  If you need a compact chicken solution think about raising bantam hens.  They are easily half the size of a regular hen.

3. Protection From The Elements

Make sure that you place your hen house out of any constant wind.  I have seen some solutions where the hen house is built into the side of an existing building, keeping the flock out of the wind.  The sun is also a consideration.  It's a good idea to create a section of your house or run that is shaded so your chickens can get out of the sun.  Or place the house in a naturally shaded area.   

4. Proper Ventilation

Make sure you put in proper ventilation.  This will help to keep your hens cool in the summer but also allow fresh air in during the winter.  Ventilation can come in many forms.  You can use metal nail in vents, windows, or wire mesh.  It doesn't matter what kind you use, what matters is that you incorporate it into your house.  It's a major ingredient to having happy hens.

While not an exhaustive list of considerations, maintenance, yard space, protection from the elements, and proper ventilation, are important considerations when designing a hen house.