There are several things to keep in mind when building chicken coops. The first is comfort. Give your chickens room to move around the enclosure, some wing room to make them feel like they are leading a more normal life. Chickens laying habits are highly affected by stress. Happy, comfortable chickens lay more eggs.
Larger enclosures also allow hens to peck the ground in search of food. Spreading some feed on the ground in the morning can give them even more incentive to peck around. Encouraging natural habits makes the hens feel like they are still living in the wild.
Hens like security and comfort, so be certain your nesting box provides both. There is no one right way to build a nesting box; they change to suit local needs. Just be sure there is enough space for all your chickens. While some chickens are comfortable sharing a nest, there are always those who need their own private space. All hens will search out the most secluded, quiet and secure place to lay their eggs, so keep the nesting space away from the food area.
Straw or hay is an ideal nesting material. For mature chickens, you can use fluffy sawdust if straw is not available. For chicks, though, wood chips can be dangerous. They make it hard for the young chicks to distinguish between their bedding and their food, sometimes resulting in premature death from eating too much wood.
Then there is your own ease of use. The eggs must be easy to collect not only because you will be doing it quite often, but also because it means that you do not unduly disturb the chickens and their nests. By avoiding such disturbance you keep your chickens happy and laying. Maybe you have a box nest, with a few adjoining nesting areas. A hinged lid can work will for this type of nest. If you leave your nesting area open, make sure that you can easily reach into all the corners.
Your chickens need protection from the elements and from predators. A well made roof to keep out the rain, solid walls to block the wind, some ventilation to keep the air fresh. If you live in snow country, keep a heat lamp or other heat source in the nesting area. Just designing your coop properly can provide a lot of security, but remember that placement is also important. Keep the coop away from high-traffic areas will help your hens feel safe and secure.
Follow these simple instructions and your coop is sure to be a winner. And with safe, comfortable chicken coops, your hens are sure to produce more eggs than you can waggle a wing at!
