Ask Danny | Ep. 27: Constructing & Sustaining a Yard Rooster Coop
5 min read
Elevating yard chickens generally is a enjoyable and rewarding expertise, offering recent eggs and even a supply of companionship. Nevertheless, earlier than you begin your yard hen journey, it’s necessary to know the fundamentals of constructing and sustaining a hen coop.
At present’s House owner Manufacturing Supervisor Corey Wilson is becoming a member of me to speak hen.
Coop Measurement
In terms of constructing or shopping for a hen coop, measurement is a vital consideration. The quantity of area wanted for every hen will range relying on the variety of birds you intend to maintain, however a common rule of thumb is to offer 2-3 sq. ft of coop area per hen and 5-10 sq. ft of run area per hen.
Bear in mind —chickens sleep within the air, perched on a limb, so ensure to incorporate sufficient area for them to sleep comfortably.
Coop Parts
A hen coop usually consists of a number of key elements: nesting containers, roosts, runs, and an enclosed space for sleeping and safety.
Nesting containers present a secure and safe place for chickens to put their eggs, whereas roosts give the birds a spot to sleep.
Runs are important for train and foraging. The enclosed space serves as a protected area for the birds to sleep, relaxation and take shelter.
In terms of flooring, use supplies like sand, hay or pine shavings. These supplies are comfy for the chickens and straightforward to wash. In addition they soak up moisture, which helps preserve the coop dry and smelling recent.
A well-built and maintained coop is essential for the well being and well-being of your chickens. Offering sufficient area, perches, and appropriate supplies for the birds, will be sure that they’re comfy and wholesome and may produce eggs effectively.
Egg Manufacturing
A wholesome hen will usually lay one egg per day, along with her reproductive cycle lasting between 24-27 hours. Nevertheless, the precise egg manufacturing can range relying on a lot of elements reminiscent of the quantity of daylight, consolation, predators, and diet.
- Daylight: Chickens want not less than 14 hours of daylight with the intention to lay eggs. Within the winter, when daytime are shorter, egg manufacturing will naturally lower. You should use synthetic gentle to complement the daytime, nevertheless it’s necessary to make use of the precise kind of sunshine and the correct amount to keep away from stressing the birds.
- Consolation: Chickens want a clear, dry and secure place to put their eggs. A well-maintained hen coop with nest containers will present the consolation and safety that chickens want to put eggs.
- Predators: Chickens that really feel threatened by predators is not going to lay eggs. It’s necessary to guard your chickens from predators by securing the coop and the encircling space.
- Vitamin: Chickens want a balanced food regimen that gives the required vitamins for egg manufacturing. Feed particularly formulated for laying hens will present the precise steadiness of protein, calcium, and different important vitamins.
Apparently sufficient, a rooster will not be crucial for a hen to put eggs. Hens will lay eggs whether or not or not there’s a rooster current. Nevertheless, if you wish to breed chickens, you’ll need a rooster.
Rooster Meals
There are a number of varieties of hen meals accessible available on the market, every designed to fulfill the precise dietary wants of chickens at completely different levels of their life.
- Starter feed: The sort of meals is formulated for chicks throughout their first six weeks of life. It comprises a excessive degree of protein, round 20-24 p.c, to assist them develop and develop rapidly.
- Grower feed: Because the chicks develop, they want completely different meals. Designed for chickens between 6-20 weeks previous, grower feed comprises a decrease protein degree round 16-18 p.c as they don’t want as a lot protein as once they have been chicks however nonetheless want sufficient to help their progress.
- Layer feed: Chickens are adults as soon as they attain 20 weeks previous, in order that they now want a distinct kind of meals. Layer feed is formulated for egg-laying hens, so it comprises a better degree of calcium to help the formation of eggshells.
- Pellets: These small, easy-to-eat items are handy to make use of and retailer, and are sometimes used as a whole feed for chickens.
- Crumbles: Much like pellets, crumbles are additionally compressed, however they’re smaller in measurement and are usually extra palatable for chickens.
- Mash: Mash is made by mixing collectively completely different grains and protein sources. It’s normally moist and straightforward for chickens to eat.
- Scratch: Scratch is a kind of feed that’s made up of complete grains reminiscent of corn and barley. Chickens are inspired to forage, so the sort of meals is can used as a deal with.
Value to Feed Chickens
In terms of feeding your chickens, a superb rule of thumb is to plan for about one bag of meals each three weeks for a flock of 10 hens.
On common, a bag of hen feed can price anyplace from $40 to $50. This will likely look like so much, however when you think about the truth that chickens will lay eggs virtually on daily basis, it’s a small value to pay for the scrumptious, recent eggs they supply.
Along with common hen feed, present your birds with oyster shells for calcium. That is important for sustaining the energy of their eggshells. You should purchase oyster shells in a bag and so they normally price round $10-15.
Additional Studying
