h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Housing Chickens

Chickens don't need elaborate housing. As long as they have a draft-free, well-ventilated, predator-proof place to stay dry, they will thrive. Space requirements are fairly simple, too--to prevent overcrowding, an coop should have 4 square feet per bird, and the coop should be enclosed in a run/yard of 10 square feet per bird*. This is a rule-of-thumb minimum--it doesn't hurt to have more room per bird, and having more room will help if one's flock grows larger than originally planned*. Healthy, fully-feathered birds do not generally require heat in the winter*.

How much ventilation is enough? One rough rule of thumb is that if you think you have enough ventilation, double it! Another, more quantifiable rule is at least one square foot of ventilation per bird. More is better, so long as there aren't any drafts hitting the birds as they sleep--while chickens wear home-grown down coats, a draft can ruffle their feathers and let out the heat. Ventilation is
vital to let out excess humidity from chicken breath and droppings. If a coop is dry, chickens can withstand subfreezing temperatures
quite easily, but a humid coop can lead to frostbite in temperatures above freezing. Even in warm weather, excess humidity can encourage mold growth and lead to respiritory distress.

Almost all carnivores and omnivores love chicken! Because chickens have worse night vision than humans, they are very vulnerable at night and twilight, so predator-proofing their sleeping area is a must. Predator-proofing requirements vary according to what predators are in the area*. However, there are some basics that are applicable everywhere. Hexagonal chicken wire is only good for keeping chickens in, not anything else out. Any animal strong enough to take a chicken can break through it. Racoons can not only chew through it, but they can reach through the openings and pull heads off. Chicken wire also rusts comparatively quickly. 1/2 inch hardware cloth ( http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20724242,00.html ) is a much better choice. There are various ways to protect from diggers, and from birds of prey.



*For adult large fowl breeds. Chicks, juveniles, and bantams require less room.

*Chicken math! ( http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/472434/what-is-chicken-math )

*There are chicken keepers near the Arctic Circle who do not heat their coops, and their chickens are quite healthy.

*Pet dogs and cats are just as much predators as wild animals.

*****************************************************************
More next time.

Makes you wonder how they ever survived in the wild poor chucks

Deb