Protection – There are many hazardous that you will need to protect your chickens from. Not only do we mean inclement weather but predators as well. Certainly foxes are known to be partial to not just taking one chicken from a coop but several when the fancy takes them.
Therefore to protect your feathered friends you need chicken coop designs that allow you to open doors and windows when required. Also it is advisable that you ensure that the windows along with the doors have the correct screening systems with them. Ideally these screens should be made from heavy gauge mesh wire which no animal can then chew through.
Ventilation – There are going to be times when your chickens will need to remain inside the coop, say when the weather is bad or at night and just like us they need plenty of oxygen and fresh air. Therefore around the walls you need to have air holes through which such fresh air can flow and which can help to get rid of any carbon dioxide building up inside the coop along with any additional moisture.
But along with proper ventilation you need to make sure that the walls are well insulated to keep your chickens warm and dry during any cold weather. You may not realize it but cold weather can cause serious health issues for your chickens if they aren’t kept warm.
Light – You need plenty of light to be able to get into the chicken coop if you want your chickens to lay plenty of eggs for you throughout the year. Plus this light source will also provide your chickens with additional warmth throughout the winter months. Ideally the chicken coop designs which are best are those where the light source installed is at a height where not only it illuminates the coop effectively but keeps the chickens warm. How many lights you install in your coop will depend on the size of it.
As mentioned when it comes to deciding which chicken coops designs will be best for you, then it is vital that you keep the above mentioned in mind. But it is also important that you select the right materials from which you construct your chicken coop after deciding what design to go with. Use those that allow you to clean, disinfect and maintain the coop easily.