You start getting the call to invest in a chicken coop when you see your flock getting sick because of the unforgiving TX weather.  

Well, a coop doesn’t just ensure your flock’s health but the promises include: 

• Enhanced Safety 
• Increased Productivity 

But it all depends on the DESIGN, really!

A perfect chicken coop is rich in all essential features including proper ventilation, space allocation, and other factors like lighting, etc. 

Research says, for the well-being of the flock, one must consider special additions in the prefab chicken coop or maybe in the traditional one, such as adding perches and nesting areas. 

Hens need a stress-free space, just like us humans. So, considering the 8 crucial features, let’s build them a coop that they won’t like leaving, not even when there’s no barrier. 

What Makes A Chicken Coop CLUCK-APPROVED? [8 Non-Negotiable Features!]

1) Roosting Perch 

If you want your flock to sleep in peace, a roosting perch is a must. Chickens don’t prefer sleeping on the ground, not even when there’s no predator threat. Even if your flock got no issues while sleeping on the ground, you should have them a roosting perch, why? 

Well, who wants their healthy chickens to get infected by the bacteria found in bare ground? And how can we forget the moisture that can make any feather-tenant sick? Though TX’s hot sun leaves no moisture in the ground, still safety is necessary. 

As for the material, you should definitely go for wood, as your flock might not like metal or PVC, especially during winter. Research wants no compromise on the perch height either. 

2) Nesting boxes

Want happy mornings with a fresh egg in the breakfast? You should never settle for a chicken coop lacking nesting boxes!

Chickens get a big relief when they have a nesting box in the coop. They can lay eggs without any stress, all thanks to the nesting boxes. 

It’s completely fine to get confused with the box number and the limit, just go for 4-5 boxes at the start and then increase the number as per your flock size. 

Secret Tip 1: 

Keep the boxes in the dark region of the coop and don’t put them on the roosting perch. You can put them on the roosting perch only if you don’t care about the eggs. 

Secret Tip 2:

 Must add wood shaving in the box to give your hens comfort while laying eggs. We all love comfortable beds, and so do the hens. But you must have to regularly switch it with the new ones to avoid bacterial infection. 

3) Insulation

Ventilation is a must and a top priority when it comes to building a chicken coop. But just like you, your Chickie Pals might not like the TX heat either So what’s the solution? Make them a space that ensures complete insulation. It not only stops the heat from entering the coop but makes sure Snakes, Mice, and all other rodents must follow the NO ENTRY rule!

For those of you choosing the metal roof, ask your chicken coop builder to install insulation between the roof and framing. 

But some people go for the asphalt shingle roof. So, as for them, Tech Shield Roof Sheathing is highly recommended. They can ignore the recommendation only if their flock doesn’t care about the TX roary sun. 

4) Lighting

Just like all other living beings, your wing squad needs natural lighting too. Otherwise, they’ll just stop laying eggs. Wondering why? Only their natural reproductive cycle can answer. 

And we know the answer already. Hence natural light has a huge influence over the flock’s reproductive cycle, once they lack sunlight, will ultimately stop laying eggs too. 

Solution: Windows!

One to two windows that encourage a direct pathway for sunlight are more than enough. 

You can use Yellow Light, only when TX winters get intolerable. 

5) Air Quality

The reason why all of us can’t stay more than 5 minutes in a chicken coop is because of the bad air quality and the foul smell. Cause: Ammonia!

And it doesn’t matter if the chicken seems happy, that foul smell is not good for their health either.

A good prefab chicken coop ensures ventilation, and ventilation makes sure ammonia stays out of the coop, never mind the never-ending flock’s feces. 

At the top of your chicken coop, position the VENTS! So that you can ask your neighbor to see your healthy flock without making them cover their nose. 

6) Litter Trays

You think your tweet troop only poops while waking? Not judging them, but they poop more while sleeping. It will be a daunting task for you to clean the wooden roost on a regular basis ensuring your flap fleets can sleep in a clean space. 

So, you better get them litter trays. Put it at the roost, and the winged wonders won’t give you a hard time cleaning the surface. 

Think you don’t have time to clean the litter trays too? So who’s gathering the eggs daily? 

You? 

Litter scraping won’t take more than 5 minutes of your day, costing less time than the egg-gathering process. 

Secret Tip For the Busy Folks:

Put a rough paper or newspaper on the litter trays daily to avoid scraping. Just discharge the dirty newspaper and switch it to a new one. No more excuses for not keeping your chicken coop clean! 

7) Raised Floor

No one wants a floor full of moisture, we like to keep the bedding always dry, yes? But with a chicken coop, the surface underneath can’t be expected to remain dry for long, it will get rich in moisture which is not good for both; the coop and for your property in general. 

Solution: 

Use plywood raised-off floor coated with epoxy. Plywood strength is enough to keep the intruders away from your prefab chicken coop. Plus as it will be raised off the ground, a great airflow will be ensured. 

Can’t expect the same from the concrete slabs. Agreed? 

8) Food and Water Supply

A chicken coop can do nothing to increase your flock’s productivity if it doesn’t have a proper feeder and drinker in it. 

So a well-built prefab chicken coop should have multiple feeders and drinkers which must be placed away from the roost so that your naughty feather tenants can just use them for eating and drinking purposes, not for littering. 

Stocking the feeders and drinkers with more food and water just to avoid filling them again and again, is highly discouraged. Hens demand nothing but Hygienic Food. They request it because they know you’re ALL EARS to their pleas. 

Why Prefab Chicken Coop Is Winning Fluff Buns’ Hearts? 

Ready To Make Your Coop Crew Happy?

These 8 essential features are totally non-negotiable. These key bits don’t deserve the middle ground, so you better consider them in the first place. 

Well, coming to the final words. 

Raising chickens is not as hard as it sounds. And when you have a Straight-Up Reliable Chicken Coop Builder always ready to fulfill all the customization requests, your relationship with your flock will take a notch. 

So don’t make your Egg layers hate you for keeping them in dirt and in a discomforting space. They want you to invest in a prefab chicken coop that is built with LOVE. Guess what? 

Our team of heart-worthy chick coop builders at Sunview Builders make sure no one in Lott, TX spends a morning without having a fresh egg. We know that special feeling of finding the egg before anyone else finds it.

Let’s experience that feeling again, with the Graceful ALLY, chicken coop ! Contact us for a customized ally.