Lots of people are thinking about buying or building a backyard chicken coop for their hens. As a precaution against extremes of weather, protection against predators and for just plain comfort, coops (and chicken pens) are necessary for the birds' health and happiness.
But are there any other aspects of keeping happy hens in your backyard that even the best chicken coop guides don't tell you?
Great Pets
Perhaps the most amazing thing about hens is their intelligence. Many people think that these birds are just plain stupid but that is far from the case. They have very obvious personalities, are intensely curious about everything, they love being together but can (and do) go their own way in a very determined fashion. Even though their primary purpose is usually to lay eggs or provide lovely drumsticks for the BBQ, they can make great pets. Most chicken keepers are very fond of their hens.
Mobile Fertilizers
OK, so let's look at some of the downsides. Chicken coop guides tend to point out that chicken poop is very good for fertilizing your garden. It is, but they fail to say just how much poop will be produced by each bird. Think LOTS and LOTS! After giving your flower beds more than enough, perhaps plan on building a compost heap for what's left over. You will not be able to go barefoot in your yard any more, either, and expect quite a lot of what's outside to come inside.
Hens do not like stepping in their own poop either, so putting them in mobile chicken pens is a good idea. Keep moving the pens to fresh parts of the yard to keep the poop problem under control.
Bullying
I have mentioned that chickens are very curious animals and like to be kept occupied. If they are truly free range this will not be a problem, although predators might be an issue. If you decide to confine your birds to a hen run you might find them becoming a bit anti-social with their pals. This will take the form of bullying the weaker ones, even causing considerable injuries if not stopped.
The way to prevent this happening is to keep the hens busy foraging. Hang ears of corn or strings of pasta through the wire at head height, or make gelatine moulds filled with goodies like seeds and place them at strategic points inside the hen run for the birds to peck at. There are plenty of ideas for these sorts of things available on the internet.
If you spot a bird being bullied you must separate it from the rest of the flock at once. This is a difficult situation that should not be underestimated. Hens like to be together, even when being picked on. Pulling a bird out of its 'family' can easily kill it, out of sheer loneliness. As soon as possible you should re-introduce it to the flock but this must be done carefully. I have found a good time is when the hens have gone to bed in their coop. Place the 'victim' on a roost next to the others and, usually, in the morning they will all be friends again.
Some chicken keepers believe that hens bond better if they have been together since being hatched. Buying adult birds will get eggs sooner but can be more of a problem socially.
Roosters
On the subject of eggs, hens do not need a rooster in order to produce them. Roosters might seem to be superfluous, and some (mainly urban) localities ban them because of the unholy noise they make especially at night. But a rooster does have value. He will often forage for his hens and, when they are sleeping, he will always stay awake and alert for predators. And for fairly obvious reasons your hens will be much happier and content if there is a rooster in the flock!
Happy Hens
None of these problems should concern you if you are prepared to look after your hens properly. Build a comfortable henhouse and one or more portable chicken pens from some good chicken coop plans - it is very easy - and get ready to enjoy your birds.
When you find them putting themselves to bed in their backyard chicken coop, when they come running whenever you appear in the yard, when they make you laugh at their constant antics - you will thank God for these beautiful creatures in your life.
Author: Kieran Gracie
Are you looking for the best chicken coop guides, the ones that show you how to build a chicken coop easily and cheaply? Or some neat ideas for chicken coop designs? Visit BuildThingsDirect.com, where you will find Kieran Gracie's recommendations for great chicken coop plans drawn up by experienced poultry farmers.
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