5 Things to Consider when Designing your Chicken Coop

Know your Weather

If you live in a cooler climate, certain coop design considerations are essential to ensure your chickens stay comfortable through the seasons. Key elements include insulation, water management (to keep water from freezing), and drainage solutions to avoid a muddy run when snow melts. Here in Boise, Idaho, we experience moderate cold and occasional snow, but not as intense as areas further north. We’ve found success by insulating our coop walls and using Joel Salatin’s deep bedding method. The deep bedding not only simplifies cleanup—absorbing chicken manure and eliminating odor—but also promotes natural decomposition of the bedding layers, generating mild heat to help keep the flock warm.

Plan for Predators

Knowing your local predators and designing to prevent their access is essential to keeping your flock safe. It can be heartbreaking to lose chickens to a predator attack, so take time to understand the threats you face and choose a coop design that protects against them. Here are a few common predators and strategies to keep them at bay:

• Foxes: If foxes are a threat in your area, ensure all coop latches require opposable thumbs, as foxes are clever and can open basic latches. Seal any small openings since foxes can squeeze through surprisingly tight spaces.

• Hawks: In Boise, hawks are a known problem. To protect chickens from aerial predators, install shade cloth over the run area. This barrier makes it challenging for hawks to swoop down, discouraging attacks.

• Coyotes: Coyotes are a widespread issue for Chicken Tenders. Like foxes, they are determined to get into coops, so keep your coop tightly secured. One of the best deterrents is a livestock guardian dog, like a Great Pyrenees, which is gentle with chickens and family members but fiercely protective against four-legged and aerial predators.

  
  

Design your Chicken Coop for Easy Cleaning

A clean coop leads to happier, healthier chickens. Planning for an efficient cleaning routine can save you a lot of time and hassle. Decide early if you’ll use the deep bedding method, as this requires higher coop walls and raised entry points to accommodate the extra 12–18 inches of bedding.

One tip for easier access and egg collection is to raise the coop a few feet off the ground, creating storage space underneath and preventing back strain. Additionally, design a large cleaning door, allowing you to rake bedding directly into a collection bin outside the coop. This setup can significantly cut down on scooping and cleanup time.

Plan for lighting and Heating in your Chicken Coop

Depending on your location, chickens may benefit from supplemental lighting and heating during winter. Chickens need about 12 hours of light daily for steady egg production, so using artificial light can help counter the seasonal drop in egg-laying. To avoid disturbing their natural rest, use a timer to regulate lighting—Christmas light timers work well for this.

Chickens also conserve energy for warmth during cold weather, which can reduce egg production. Adding a safe, supplemental heat source helps them stay warm and comfortable. There are several modern options available beyond traditional heat lamps, which, while effective, need careful securing to avoid fire risks. Explore the options and choose what fits your coop and climate best.

Plan for Flock Expansion with “Chicken Math”

In the chicken world, “Chicken Math” refers to the surprising but common experience of needing more chickens as you go along. To avoid crowding and stress, plan your coop with potential expansion in mind. Allocate at least 3 square feet per chicken inside the coop to start, and be ready to expand as you become a more experienced Chicken Tender. A coop designed with growth in mind makes adding to your flock a smooth, stress-free process for both you and your chickens.