How to Keep Rats and Mice Out of Your Chicken Coop: A 2025 Guide with Original Case Studies and Data

How to Keep Rats and Mice Out of the Chicken Coop?

Discovering a rat or mouse infestation in a chicken coop is a common and serious issue for many flock owners. These pests are more than just a nuisance; they steal valuable feed, contaminate the henhouse with their droppings, and pose a significant threat to the health and safety of your birds. With a single female … Read more

How to Keep a Chicken Coop From Smelling: Natural Deodorizers, DIY Solutions & Expert Tips (2025 Guide)

How to Keep a Chicken Coop From Smelling

There’s nothing quite like the pleasant sound of a happy flock in the morning, but a pungent, eye-watering smell can quickly ruin the experience. If you’ve ever walked out to your chicken run and been hit by a strong, acrid odor, you know what I’m talking about. Remember that time you forgot to clean the … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Chicken Nesting Boxes: Size, Materials, and Location for Happy Hens and Birds

The Ultimate Guide to Chicken Nesting Boxes - Size, Materials, and Location

For any backyard chicken keeper or avid bird watcher, few things are as rewarding as finding a pristine egg nestled in a clean box or watching a fledgling take its first flight from a birdhouse. The key to both of these experiences often comes down to one simple thing: the nesting box. It’s more than … Read more

Where to Put Your Chicken Coop? 11 Placement Tips for a Healthy, Happy Flock

Where to Put Your Chicken Coop? 11 Placement Tips for a Healthy, Happy Flock

Ready for backyard chickens? Collecting fresh eggs is a simple pleasure. Before envisioning golden yolks, consider one pivotal question: Where to Put Your Chicken Coop?. Getting this right saves trouble – from neighbor issues to flock illness. I’ve learned from missteps. This guide helps craft a safe, healthy home for your flock. It also preserves … Read more

How High Should Roosting Bars Be in a Coop?

How High Should Roosting Bars Be in a Coop?

Setting up roosting bars in your chicken coop is crucial for your flock’s health, safety, and happiness. Proper roosting ensures sound sleep and prevents injuries or dirty eggs. Trust me, a happy chicken is a quiet chicken, and a quiet chicken means you get to sleep in! Most chicken roosts should be positioned 18–24 inches … Read more

Can You Use a Dog House as a Chicken Coop?

Can You Use a Dog House as a Chicken Coop

Thinking about turning an old dog house into a chicken coop? Here’s what to know before you toss in the hens. Got a dog house sitting empty? Wondering if your feathered friends could call it home? This guide shows you how to transform a dog house into a chicken coop. We’ll cover essential modifications, predator-proofing, … Read more

What is the Best Predator Deterrent for Chickens?

What Is The Best Predator Deterrent For Chickens - 7 Proven Defenses

Best way to keep your feathered friends safe? A smart, layered approach. Top defense: electric poultry fencing with buried hardware cloth. This combo offers robust protection. “Best” means effectiveness, cost, and maintenance. No single solution is 100% foolproof – predators are smart. But mixing physical barriers, clever design, and psychological tricks dramatically cuts your risk. … Read more

Predator-Proofing 101: Easy Fixes for a Safer Coop

Predator-Proofing 101: Easy Fixes for a Safer Coop

Protect your flock with smart predator-proofing: fully seal your coop from threats above, below, and outside using hardware cloth, buried edges, and secure latches. This creates an impenetrable fortress. Small gaps invite disaster. My first flock nearly became a fox’s dinner due to one tiny, overlooked hole—a common first-time mistake. Predators accounted for 44% of … Read more

17 Chicken Coop Ventilation Mistakes That Can Overheat Your Flock (And How to Fix Them)

17 Chicken Coop Ventilation Mistakes That Can Overheat Your Flock

Keeping a happy, healthy flock means paying attention to the little things. And trust me, when it comes to chicken coops, chicken coop ventilation isn’t a little thing – it’s everything. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly a stuffy coop can turn into a disaster zone, leaving your feathered friends panting, miserable, and even in danger. … Read more