In Part 4 of Housing your Chickens I gave a review on Eighty Plus chickens coops. Make sure you read all the other parts of the Housing your chickens’ series as there are some great chickens coop designs. You are sure to find one that suits the needs of your flock and back garden.
In this Part, which is the last in this series, I am going to give some ideas on a few temporary coops.
Please see the end of this article as we have included some handy advice on the Chicken Dust Bath.
TEMPORARY CHICKEN COOPS TO KEEP HANDY
THE BROODY COOP
The broody coop is a chicken coop that is put aside for chicken(s) that are nesting/hatching fertilized eggs.
When you are trying to get a chicken to hatch eggs it is best to isolate the chicken(s) that are sitting the eggs. This stops them from being bullied by the other chickens, gives them a nice quiet area to nest and some space on their own when they need it
The broody coop should be:
- Have an easily accessible sleeping area when the chicks are born they will not be able to jump very high right away. But it should still be a good distance off the ground, so it will not get the ground wet.
- A fully covered run that could have a bit of protection as the mother hen will need to stretch her legs. Once the chicks are born she will want to take them outside.
- It should be predator and vermin safe. Eggs and chicks are a great treat for predators both on the land and from above. They are also a very tasty treat for the likes of snakes and rodents. So, make sure the coop and run are very secure.
- Waterers that will suit the little chicks as well as the mother hen
- Feeders for both the hen and chicks (they will require their chick starter feed)
- The access from the run to the coop should be easy for the chicks to enter and exit it
- Good ventilation, as well as insulation with an option to close out any cold, should it be required
- The coop and run should be mobile or at least easy to move. Chicks are very susceptible to various parasites and chicken diseases that can be spread and left behind by adult chickens who have used the run. Being able to move the coop around the garden gives them chicks fresher pastures to roam about in with their mother hen.
- Easy access into the nesting area to check on hen, chicks and to test if any non-hatched eggs are still viable or need to be removed. Leaving unhatched eggs in the nest can lead to all sorts of health issues for both the mother hen and the chicks.
Some examples coops that would make great broody coops:
- Fir Wood Chicken Coop by ALEKO Products comes with a little run
- The Little Barn Chicken Hutch by Ware Manufacturing sold at Wayfair
- PawHut 77” Wooden Backyard Chicken Coop by PawHut comes with a little run and can be bought on Amazon
- Aria The Tower Coop by Tucker Murphy Pet sold at Walmart comes with a little run
- Pet comet Barn Chicken Coop by Tucker Murphy Pet sold at Walmart comes with a little-covered run
Price: $335.00
Price: $319.99
Price: $152.99
Price: $180.99
Price: $383.99
THE MEDICAL COOP
The medical coop is a coop where a sick and or injured chicken(s) will need to be isolated too.
If a chicken is sick they have the potential to infect the rest of the flock. They may also get bullied and pecked at causing sometimes fatal injuries. Chickens can be quite brutal to each other if they sense any weakness or illness in another chicken.
The medical coop should be:
- A comfortable nesting and or roosting area for the chicken(s)
- A fully covered run that could have a bit of protection for when the chicken needs to get some fresh air
- It should be predator and vermin safe. Make sure it is regularly cleaned as some illnesses can attract the likes of various parasites like the blowfly.
- There should be easy access to clean water and fresh food for the chicken(s)
- Easy access to the chicken for treatments and check-ups
- Good ventilation to ensure a good air flow through and the chicken(s) get enough fresh clean air
- Well insulated to ensure the chicken(s) are kept comfortable
- The access from the run to the coop should be easy for any injured chickens sometimes to steep a ramp may cause the chicken pain.
- The coop and run should be mobile or at least easy to move. When the chicken(s) is recovered enough to start moving around you do not want them to be walking over stale ground.
Some examples coops that would make great medical coops:
- Melvin Wooden Pet House by Tucker Murphy Pet sold at Walmart comes with a little run
- Premium Chicken Coop by Ware Manufacturing sold at Wayfair
- Bayer Wheeled Tractor Hen House by Archie & Oscar sold at Wayfair this makes a great medical coop with an outside area.
- Wooden Chicken Coop with Run by PawHut sold at Wayfair this makes a great medical coop with an outside area.
- Raised Fir Wood Chicken Coop or Rabbit Hutch by ALEKO Products comes with a little run
Price: $110.99
Price: $330.99
Price: $299.99
Price: $155.99
Price: $99.00
THE ISOLATION/NURSERY COOP
This coop could be used as both a nursery coop and or an isolation coop.
The chickens that will be temporarily housed in here are basically new chickens to be introduced into the flock.
Whether you have just bought new Pullets or raised them from hatchling or chicks they will have first be housed in a temporary coop. this is both for health and socializing reasons.
An already established flock do not take too kindly to just have newcomers let lose inside their home. They need to be introduced to them and slowly be integrated with them.
The newcomers also need to be watched for any signs of pests, diseases or illness that may prevent them from being able to integrate with the flock. Or that may potentially infect the flock.
The isolation/nursery coop should be:
- Have a comfortable nesting and or roosting area for the chicken(s)
- There should be enough space for the number of new chickens to be housed in the temporary coop.
- A fully covered run that could have a bit of protection for when the chicken goes out during the day. There must also be enough space for all the chickens to roam comfortably. The run should be fully covered for predator/vermin protection. This must be done to also ensure that the new chickens do not escape the run. If they do it may lead to dire circ*mstances and cause great distress for both the new chicken and the established flock.
- It should be predator and vermin safe.
- Adequate feeders and waterers
- Easy access to the chickens and the nesting area. Pull out cleaning trays are always handy in a chicken coop.
- Good ventilation to ensure a good air flow through and the chicken(s) get enough fresh clean air
- Well insulated to ensure the chicken(s) are kept comfortable
- The coop and run should be mobile to enable it to be parked near or next to the permanent one. This is so the established flock can slowly get used to the newcomers. The, in turn, can get used to the flock in a safe environment safe from flock bullying or being attacked.
Some examples coops that would make great isolation/nursery coops:
- Melvin Wooden Pet House by Tucker Murphy Pet sold at Walmart comes with a little run
- Red Barn Chicken Small Chicken Coop by Prevue Hendryx sold at Wayfair comes with a little run
- Forsythe Wooden Hutch Chicken Coop by Tucker Murphy Pet sold at Walmart comes with a little run
- Awad Chicken Run by Tucker Murphy Pet sold at Walmart comes with a little run
- Chicken Tractor Mobile Coop by Rite Farm Products comes with a little run and can be bought on Amazon
Price: $269.99
Price: $269.99
Price: $112.99
Price: $212.99
Price: $324.99
WHY HAVE A TEMPORARY CHICKEN RUN?
TEMPORARY/MOVEABLE CHICKEN RUNS
A lot of the chicken coops come with a run attached or one can be custom made to fit the coop.
Some of these chicken runs are even detachable so you can remove them as and when needed.
But there are also coops that do not come with runs and or may not be able to suitable have one built around them.In this case, you would either have to Free-Range your chickens or get a breed that does not mind being permanently confined. No bird really wants to be permanently confined. In this case, a portable run is ideal.
A Portable/Moveable/Temporary run is handy for:
- Pen-Ranging the flock
- Isolating injured chickens than need space to recover
- Isolating new chickens to be introduced into the flock
- Easy to move around a garden environment giving the flock fresh foraging ground and saving the grass
- Ensuring the flock has enough space to roam around in and stretch their legs whilst still keeping your garden intact
- If it is a fully covered pen it will keep the flock safe from predators, unwanted visitors dropping in and spreading disease and various pests.
- It also will keep the flock from flying off to visit the neighbors
DIY CHICKEN RUNS
Building a chicken run is not that difficult. All you really need are some good ideas, durable wood or galvanized steel frames/tubing and a strong wire mesh. Good lockable access entries into the run.There are many great chicken run ideas and plans on the internet. Sites such as “The Prairie Homestead”, “Backyard Chickens”, “The Poultry Keeper” and “Omlet US” have some really good ideas and plans.
The Freddy Outdoor Chicken Run
Website:Wayfair – Archie & Oscar Brand
Brand:Archie & Oscar
Price:$79.99
Mobile Coop:No
Movability:It is quite easy to move around the garden although it may require two people to move it.
Chickens:Up to 2 standard sized chickens
Dimensions:Weight: 13 lbs.
Run:H = 28”
W = 45”
D = 26”
Review:A nice well-made chicken run. The Frame and door are made from Glazed pine that has been weatherproofed. It has a bronze and nickel finish with wire mesh covering the coop.The roof of the coop is close-meshed galvanized grid with a hinged opening from the top.This is a nice run for the small to medium sized flock and garden. It is easy to keep in the garage or back porch when not in use. It is weatherproofed so if you forget it out in the rain it will do no damage to the run.It has been built by material that is designed to last for a long time
Metal Walk-in Chicken Run with a Waterproof cover
Website:ALEKO
Brand:ALEKO
Price:$239.00
Mobile Coop:No
Movability:It can be moved but may require up to 4 persons to move the run
Chickens:Up to 6 to 10 standard sized chickens
Dimensions:Run:6.5’ x 10’ x 6.5’
Review:This is quite a large run but can still fit into a medium sized back garden. The run is made from galvanized tubing with durable metal features ensuring the coop is strong, stable and predator proof. The run is enclosed by heavy-duty chicken wire and is fully covered by a purple Oxford cloth cover. This ensures the chickens stay dry in wet weather and cool in the heat. The door to the coop is large enough for human entry and is made from galvanized metal with a metal slide bolt and place to add a lock
This coop comes as a kit that will need to be assembled. The run is silver with a purple roof cover.
The Smart Chicken Run
Website:The Smart Chicken Coop
Brand:The Smart Chicken Coop
Price:From around $125.00
Mobile Coop:No
Movability:Discuss with the manufacturer
Chickens:Determined by the run segments purchased
Dimensions:Weight: Depending on the size of the run ordered
Run:Dimensions will vary according to order
Review:The Smart Chicken Coop builds chicken runs to order. Although they mostly do them for their coop extensions they can still be used as a stand-alone run.Two-run segments will give you 3′ x 7′ area for your chickens. A person would have to determine the exact size they need them to purchase the segment required. These segments can be closed off by one or two of their coop doors.The Smart Chicken Coop is very helpful and is always able to support and offer great ideas to help design the perfect chicken run for your flock and garden size.
PawHut Metal Outdoor Small Animal Enclosure
Website:Amazon – PawHut
Brand:PawHut
Price:From around $125.99
Mobile Coop:No
Movability:It is light enough to move may require 2 people to move the run
Chickens:Discuss with the manufacturer
Dimensions:Weight: 43 lbs.
Run:H = 40.5”
W = 40”
L = 87.75”
Review:This wonderful cage has the place to put various roosting bars on, comes with a weatherproof tarp that comes in a few different colors. I am sure you can order a separate one for more cover if required. The tarp is made from durable Polyethylene. The run comes with one roosting bar in it, a side door and roof door. All doors can be latched or locked, and the run is predator safe, easy to move around the yard and great for the smaller garden.
THE CHICKEN DUST BATH
A dust bath is the chicken’s way of grooming and keeping clean. I know it sounds like it makes them more dirty than clean. But the dust helps to get rid of excess oils and pests on their skin and feathers. It is also a way to cool them down a bit.
You may see chicken body shaped patches that have appeared in the garden or chicken run. This is where they have started to make their own dust baths.
If you want to control this and keep your garden intact there are many ways to build them.
Dust Bath Ideas:
- Use an old tyre, dig it into the ground with just enough sticking out to hold sand and or dirt. Then fill it with soft earth in a place the chickens frequent.
- Use the patch they have already started to make as a bathing area and ensure that the soil there is freshened every now and then.
- You can use sandpits and sandpit type ideas
- Kiddies plastic pools are another good option
Dirt to use with the dust bath:
- Dirt or sand
- Diatomaceous earth
- Wood ash (is a nice added extra)
- To get rid of pests you can herbs such as oregano, lavender or wormwood
END OF PART 5
This is the end of Part 5 and the end of our Housing chickens’ series.
For more information on chicken coops read Part 1 THE INS AND OUT OF THE CHICKEN COOP
, Part 2 10 BEST TRACTOR COOP AND RUNS TO BUY
, Part 3 45 FREE DIY CHICKEN COOP PLANS, TUTORIALS AND DESIGNS and Part 4 80+ BEST CHICKEN COOPS AND OR RUNS TO BUY of our Housing Chickens series.
