Thinking about raising chickens? First, think about your chicken coop. One thing to remember if you are buying one or building one is to give your chickens 4 square feet of space per chicken. More is better, after all, they are going to be pets and a happy chicken is an egg-laying chicken.
Now think of nesting boxes. These are where they are going to lay their eggs. Boxes should be a foot high, a foot wide, and a foot deep. Straw is a good medium in the nesting boxes. I like the use of milk crates, however, I have seen pics on using many other kinds.
Chickens need a place to rest at night. This roost needs to be away from the wall and the top roost should be away from the ceiling, so they do not hit their heads. Give them at least a foot apart so they do not crowd. You can make your own roost or use wooden ladders.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to provide proper ventilation. Provide cross wall ventilation by putting in windows and screens so you can open and closed them.
Make sure the coop is secured to the ground, so a wind does not tip it. Any gaps or holes should be covered with wire cloth so predators like rats and raccoons do not enter. Make sure the entrance latch is secure. If a child can open it, a raccoon can open it.
My neighbors have a chicken coop, where they let their chickens out (free-range) and towards night, they shut the door on the coop.
