Chicken coop in a polycarbonate greenhouse in winter, keeping and walking chickens

Arranging a chicken coop in a polycarbonate greenhouse is important in the absence of permanent premises. This option allows you to create comfort for chickens. And get meat and eggs in the winter. To remodel, you need to draw up a preliminary project. Purchase the necessary material. Insulate the greenhouse properly. Create optimal conditions and automate service processes. Birds will feel warm and comfortable in such an environment.

Why do you need to convert a greenhouse into a chicken coop?

Increasingly, it is mentioned that keeping chickens in winter is not in the usual permanent chicken coop. And in a regular greenhouse made of polycarbonate. Let's figure out why they do this. And is it possible for chickens to live comfortably there?

Often, a greenhouse is converted into a chicken coop for economic reasons. When it is not possible to build a permanent warm room.

The greenhouse is also used as a temporary option. When it suddenly got cold. And the main chicken coop has not yet been completed.

In southern regions with a warm, mild climate, a chicken coop in a polycarbonate greenhouse can be used in winter. And as a permanent option for chickens. On particularly cold nights, heating will help maintain the optimal temperature. And will maintain egg production.

In northern regions with harsh winters, chickens cannot live in unheated polycarbonate chicken coops. Such structures require constant heating.

How to feed chickens correctly

Keeping birds in a greenhouse will not affect their health in any way. The most common food:

grain mixture or mixed feed;
bran moistened with water.

The grain can be boiled, so chickens eat it better, but it can also be given in dry form, there is not much difference. Birds do not disdain food waste, so everything will go into use. Chickens love to nibble green grass, but in winter, unfortunately, this is an unaffordable luxury. It is best to take care in advance and dry the nettles, because with the onset of spring the birds will need vitamins.

If you want your hens to lay a lot of eggs, you will need to choose the right diet for them.

In winter, the body requires replenishment with macroelements and minerals. Greens can be easily replaced with root vegetables and silage. Beets and pumpkins are ideal for laying hens. A huge advantage of such nutrition is that they are stored very well, until spring, until the grass appears. It would be a good idea to add zucchini and their seeds to your diet, which contain a lot of vitamins and calcium. A lack of calcium in chickens is immediately visible by the condition of the eggshells. She becomes soft.

To increase egg production, it is important to provide chickens with complete nutrition containing all the necessary microelements

Carrots, rich in carotene, will also be an excellent treat in winter. It will affect the ability of chickens to lay eggs, while improving their immunity. If you still have sunflower cake after squeezing the oil out of the seeds, you will definitely need to include it in the diet of laying hens. It contains a lot of protein and fat, which are so lacking in winter for life.
In a separate bowl you need to put chalk, which the chickens will peck little by little. Laying eggs requires a lot of calcium, so you shouldn't forget about minerals.
Drinkers need to be re-equipped in winter. Water should be heated to a temperature of 15-20 degrees.
After you stop drinking from the feeder, the water should be poured out to prevent it from freezing. This is necessary so that the birds do not catch a cold.

Laying eggs requires a lot of calcium, so don't forget about minerals

Benefits of use

A polycarbonate greenhouse can become an indispensable assistant in a country plot during the vegetable growing season. And also in winter.

Raising chickens in a greenhouse during the winter has some advantages.

There is no urgent need to equip a capital warm room.

The mobility of the structure makes it easy to move it from the garden to the yard and back.

In the absence of a warm room, a polycarbonate greenhouse will protect the bird from cold winter winds and frost. And it will help preserve the number of chickens.

As you can see, if necessary, a greenhouse can be useful in winter.

Pros and cons of keeping chickens in a greenhouse in winter

Advantages:

it becomes possible to significantly save money and space on the site required for the construction of a separate poultry house;
reliable protection of the bird from bad weather, frost and predators is created;
chicken stock is preserved during the cold season;
chicken droppings accumulate, which are collected in replaceable bedding, which is then well suited for making compost, and also serves as an excellent fertilizer for plants in the summer.

Flaws:

a polycarbonate greenhouse must be insulated, which entails certain costs;
inside you will have to build perches, nests, feeders and drinking bowls;
In the spring, all this needs to be dismantled and a place to store it must be found.

Negative points

Despite the unique qualities of polycarbonate, the sheet thickness is up to 8 millimeters. Thicker material is rarely used for the construction of greenhouses.

Polycarbonate is the main component. And this wall thickness is not enough for birds to live comfortably. There are other disadvantages of keeping chickens in such a greenhouse in winter.

High-quality insulation of a structure requires considerable financial costs.

Rounded shapes are inconvenient for insulation work.

If the greenhouse is actively used for growing vegetables, already in the first months of spring you will have to look for a new shelter for the chickens.

To maintain the egg production of laying hens at the same level, constant heating is required. And as a result, electricity costs.

Before converting a warm chicken coop from a greenhouse, it is necessary to calculate the costs of insulation and maintenance of such a structure in the cold winter months. And make an informed decision.

Bird nutrition in winter

Also, we must not forget about the bird’s nutrition. There is a popular saying: “Prepare your sleigh in the summer.” It can be applied here too. Even in the summer, you need to start stocking up on green food, because they contain a considerable amount of vitamins.

The basis of the diet of laying hens is grain crops:

They should be served crushed or sprouted grains. Root vegetables are very useful for chickens: pumpkin, carrots, beets, zucchini and potatoes. First they are boiled and then given to the bird to eat.

A balanced diet is the key to chicken productivity. So if the lack of microelements and vitamins is not compensated, the bird may stop laying eggs.

The lack of greens is compensated for by adding vitamin D to the food. First, a so-called mash is prepared, and then vitamins are added to it.

Sunflower cake is rich in proteins and fats, which they lack so much during the wintering period. When consuming sunflower cake, birds fully compensate for the lack of proteins and fats.

It is noteworthy that you can give mash to birds only in the morning and at lunch. It is not recommended to feed chickens mash for dinner.

Some poultry farmers put a piece of chalk in a separate drinker. It contains minerals, and this is very important for laying eggs. The chickens peck at it with pleasure.

The water in the drinking bowls should be between 15 and 20 degrees. If the water temperature is lower, the birds should not drink it, as this may cause them to catch a cold.

Necessary tools and materials for conversion

If there is already a polycarbonate greenhouse on the site, then fewer tools will be required for conversion. Than when building a chicken coop from scratch.

For insulation, you can’t do without a hammer and a shovel. And also drills, saws or jigsaws, sanders.

Materials for greenhouse insulation and interior design:

expanded polystyrene for foundation insulation;
bitumen mastic;
façade mesh;
primer for exterior use;
plywood;
folgoizolone;
dry board;
infrared film;
ventilation pipes;
bars for making perches;
sawdust for bedding;
biological product for fermentation.

You will also need household items for chickens: automatic drinkers, feeders, infrared lamps, a fan.

Setting up a greenhouse for chickens for the winter

If there is a greenhouse on the site, arranging it for a chicken coop is not so difficult.

Basically, it needs to be insulated and equipped inside with feeders, drinkers, perches, nests and, if necessary, forced ventilation and heating.

To use a polycarbonate greenhouse as a chicken coop, you will need the following tools and materials:

wood saw;
hacksaw for plastic;
screwdriver;
hammer;
gun for using sealant;
nails;
rubberized gaskets;
thiokol or polysulfide mastic;
polycarbonate sheets up to 4 mm thick;
round wooden beams or poles;
polystyrene foam 5 cm thick;
lutrasil;
boards for constructing chicken nests and a ladder leading to the perches;
electric wires; electric lamps; electrical outlets.

Step-by-step instruction:

To prevent drafts, use rubberized gaskets to seal all cracks at the joints of the structure.
Eliminate gaps between polycarbonate sheets using a sealant in the form of thiokol or polysufide mastic.
In areas with a cold climate, insulate the room from the inside with a second layer of polycarbonate up to 4 mm thick or bubble wrap.
Dig out the foundation and cover it with foam plastic slabs 5 cm thick.
Tighten polycarbonate walls from the inside with lutrasil to prevent condensation and for additional insulation.
Install electrical wiring into the greenhouse for lighting, heating and forced ventilation.
Place perches made of round timber or poles inside at a rate of 25 cm for each bird. Perches are placed higher because warm air rises. A ladder or wooden ladder should lead to them.
For laying hens, make nests in the form of boxes measuring 30x40x30 cm with a mesh bottom covered with sawdust or hay. The nests are located in the least lit part of the room.
Install feeders for dry and wet food raised above the floor surface. Install an automatic nipple or vacuum drinker.

Laying and insulating the foundation

If a polycarbonate greenhouse has not yet been built, then a strip foundation 30 cm deep is poured under it.

Its main purpose is to prevent digging by foxes, weasels and other predators who want to diversify their diet with available chicken.

In order not to lose 25% of the heat through the foundation, the hardened concrete must be covered with a layer of waterproofing and insulated in one of four ways:

foam boards wrapped in polyethylene;
extruded polystyrene foam;
spraying polyurethane foam;
expanded clay.

The width of the expanded clay layer is at least half a meter.
Experts consider extruded polystyrene foam to be the highest quality and most durable, and expanded clay to be the most affordable.

The strip foundation of the finished greenhouse is dug up and also insulated using the chosen method.

Columnar and pile foundations are surrounded by planks, asbestos or profiled panels, on top of which a layer of insulation is placed.

When laying the foundation, drainage must be provided

Greenhouse insulation

A winter chicken coop in a greenhouse should not have drafts, so first seal all the joints. Rubberized gaskets work well between the foundation and the frame.

The gaps between the polycarbonate plates are treated with a sealant, which, after hardening, forms a plastic surface. Thiokol and polysulfide mastics are recommended.

At the next stage, the walls are insulated. The question of how to insulate a greenhouse for chickens for the winter is solved differently, depending on the degree of snow and frost in a particular region.

If the frame is metal, insulation can be done with snow. However, here you need to carefully study the technical characteristics of the polycarbonate of a particular greenhouse and the shape of its slope.

Otherwise, there is a risk of the structure collapsing.

Step-by-step instructions for remodeling

Preparatory stage

If you keep chickens in a polycarbonate greenhouse only in the summer, insulation of the structure is not required.

To raise chickens and obtain eggs in winter, you will need high-quality insulation. After all, thin polycarbonate only saves the bird from the wind.

This allows you to eliminate drafts. Blocks the access of cold air. It will help prevent chicken colds and deaths.

Insulation of the finished greenhouse under the chicken coop is carried out according to the following scheme:

Chicken coop project.
Preparatory work.
Insulation of the room.
Electrical installation.
Heating system equipment.
Arrangement of a high-quality ventilation system.
Interior arrangement of the chicken coop.

As a result of the operations performed, a warm, cozy room is obtained, suitable for keeping chickens in a greenhouse in winter.

Insulation of the old foundation

To make the chicken coop as warm as possible, you will have to take care of high-quality insulation of the foundation, floor, walls and roof.

The foundation is insulated from the outside. Extruded polystyrene foam is often used. It retains heat and is resistant to aggressive external environments and moisture.

Of course, you can do without major insulation. And fill the foundation with ordinary soil and snow. However, with the arrival of spring, drafts will begin to flow across the floor of the chicken coop. The risk of chicken disease will increase.

Algorithm of actions

Insulation of the foundation is carried out in several stages.

A trench is dug along the entire perimeter of the greenhouse, taking into account the size of the polystyrene foam.

Waterproof the foundation with bitumen mastic.

The sand cushion is poured at the same level where the foundation cushion is located.

Install polystyrene foam boards and fix them with mastic or dowels.

The structure is reinforced using façade mesh.

Smooth out all irregularities with a grinder and prime the surface.

The free space between the foundation and the soil is filled and compacted.

Wall insulation

Keeping chickens in a polycarbonate greenhouse in winter without insulating the walls is impossible. The choice of method depends on the region of residence. Characteristic weather conditions. Personal preferences and capabilities.

There are several ways to insulate walls.

Internal insulation using foil material.

Insulation with a double layer of polycarbonate.

Installation of foam plastic or mineral wool with further covering with any finishing material.

Insulation with double film or lutrasil.

Snow is not the best insulation for a polycarbonate chicken coop. Under its weight, the greenhouse is easily deformed. If there is no other insulation option, you will have to use a reinforced frame when installing the greenhouse.

We install heated floors

An open dirt floor is contraindicated for chickens. And it requires major insulation. It is often covered with a layer of litter at least 15 centimeters thick. This substrate serves as an additional heat source. And prevents colds in chickens.

Heated floor equipment is an ideal option for insulating a chicken coop. It will ensure uniform heating of the room. And it will allow you to easily control the temperature.

The floors in polycarbonate chicken coops are insulated with film insulation. To do this, a layer of polystyrene foam, infrared film and a wooden finishing coating are laid on the subfloor. Installing a thermostat will allow you to automatically control the temperature level in the chicken coop.

Other options, their advantages and features are described in detail in the article “Methods of heating a chicken coop in winter.”

Temperature

To create optimal conditions for chickens to live in a polycarbonate greenhouse in winter, you need to maintain a natural microclimate.

A comfortable temperature for birds is 15 degrees. A drop in this level below 10 degrees causes colds and death. After all, chicken feet are susceptible to low temperatures.

In the article “What should be the temperature in the chicken coop in winter and summer” you will learn in detail about the permissible and optimal temperature conditions for keeping this bird.

Lighting

For continuous egg production of chickens in winter in a chicken coop in a polycarbonate greenhouse, it is necessary to maintain 12-14 hours of daylight.

In summer the lighting is sufficient. But when the walls of the greenhouse are insulated for the winter, natural light becomes unavailable. And artificial light equipment is required.

A popular type of lighting for chicken coops is infrared lamps. They provide diffused light and partially warm the space.

Infrared lamps installed at a low height from the floor will become a favorite place for chickens. And they will allow you to easily survive the winter cold.

How to make lighting depending on the time of year, and other nuances are described in the article “Winter and summer lighting in the chicken coop.”

High humidity in a chicken coop and curiosity of chickens are dangerous. Therefore, when arranging lighting, you should take care of the protection and safety of the wiring.

Ventilation system

A high-quality ventilation system is a mandatory step when converting a polycarbonate greenhouse into a chicken coop. Its absence can lead to negative consequences.

Polycarbonate does not breathe and does not allow air to pass through at all. In a closed room, condensation and high humidity form. This causes the formation of fungus and mold. And often the incidence of diseases in birds. Rotting litter and lack of fresh air only aggravate the situation.

Ventilation installation

Ventilation should provide optimal conditions for the life of chickens. Avoid creating drafts and help establish optimal temperature conditions.

Ventilation can be done in two ways.

Arrange ventilation openings and vents taking into account the standards and area of the room.

Set up a supply and exhaust system using a low-power fan.

The vents can be used to ventilate the chicken coop in calm, warm weather. On frosty days this will be problematic. The presence of supply ventilation with air heating in such cases becomes a necessity.

Low power fans are used for the poultry house. The presence of a power regulator will allow you to regulate the humidity level taking into account weather conditions.

When installing a fan, it is necessary to install protective grilles for the safety of chickens.

Greenhouse conversion

In the summer, high humidity and temperature are maintained in greenhouses, and this is an excellent environment for the proliferation of various microorganisms, which may not always be beneficial for poultry. Before moving birds into a polycarbonate structure, it is necessary to carry out disinfection measures in the greenhouse. Walls and floors must be treated with lime solution or other liquids.

The prepared chicken coop should have the following devices for arranging the internal space:

heaters;
lighting sources;
bedding materials;
drinking bowls;
feeders;
perches;
dry bathing suits;
nests

In winter, the house for keeping hens must have additional lighting so that egg laying does not stop. To do this, you need light at least 12 hours a day. In chicken coops, lights should be turned on during the morning and evening hours to compensate for the short natural photoperiod. In this case, you can use energy-saving lamps.

Chicken coop litter

Note to poultry farmers. To make the existence of birds more comfortable, nesting houses can be installed in the greenhouse. A microclimate is formed inside such buildings; the nest will always be warm. An increase in egg production will be facilitated by organizing a small walking yard where hens can walk on warm days.

The existing livestock will be able to safely spend the winter in a polycarbonate chicken coop if the following conditions are met:

Proper heating, thanks to which a positive temperature will be maintained inside the poultry house even in severe frosts. The minimum value here is +10°C; for egg-bearing breeds it is recommended to maintain +15°C.
Organization of a ventilation system that will avoid stuffiness and the occurrence of diseases associated with the respiratory system.
Mandatory installation of additional light sources to maintain egg production. Daylight hours should be from 12 to 14 hours.
The presence of warm bedding so that the chickens do not become hypothermic and get sick.

Worth knowing. Before transplanting the bird, it is necessary to calculate the space and determine the size of the room. There is at least 0.5 m² per head. It is worth considering that small breeds (bantams, seabrights, chabots, wyandottes, etc.) can be kept in the amount of 4 pieces per 1 m². Heavy meat breeds (Cochin, Brahma, Jersey giant) require free space, at least 1 m² per individual.

Internal and external arrangement

Perches

To ensure a peaceful sleep for the birds in the chicken coop, you will need wooden perches. To do this, use thin round bars of medium diameter.

It is better to place perches higher from the floor. And to access them, install stairs.

Nesting grounds

When raising laying hens, you cannot do without nests. They can be assembled from a thin board. Or repurpose wooden boxes.

Providing nests with a roof will help create a calm environment for laying hens.

Nests are installed taking into account the number of birds rushing. For one to three chickens, one will be enough. For perches and nests, you need to consider a reliable fastening that ensures complete safety.

Containers for food and water

A bunker feeder is the best option for feeding chickens. When eaten, the food does not scatter to the sides. And the chicken coop is kept clean.

Nipple drinkers will provide constant access to fresh water. They don't need constant attention. They only require periodic cleaning and disinfection.

Substrate

The floor of the chicken coop is covered with thick bedding. Mixing with the droppings, it fumes and releases heat. For the substrate you can use: sawdust, dry leaves, hay, straw, shavings, peat.

The best option for thick bedding is sawdust. It absorbs moisture well and is easy to clean. The top layer of litter is periodically renewed. It is completely replaced only at the end of wintering.

An excellent option for keeping your coop clean is fermented litter that contains beneficial bacteria. They actively process chicken manure. Promotes the release of heat. And eliminate the pungent, unpleasant odor.

After a certain period of time, the fermented litter turns into high-quality humus. However, if the greenhouse has a wooden floor, it is not recommended to use such bedding.

Information on the topic is in the article “Bedding with bacteria for the chicken coop.”

Cleanliness support

Maintaining constant order in a polycarbonate chicken coop is not difficult. Basic poultry care involves treating and disinfecting drinking bowls. Removing old food from feeders and filling them with new. Periodic renewal of the top layer of litter.

How to properly treat against bacteria is described in the article “Methods of disinfecting a chicken coop at home.”

Walking yard

To maintain egg production, chickens require constant walking in the fresh air.

Walking time depends on weather conditions. For long walks, it is better to choose warm sunny days.

In cold weather, short walks are practiced. At temperatures below -10 degrees, frostbite and paw disease are possible.

To prevent colds, the walking area is covered with a layer of sawdust or straw.

Tricks and subtleties

When leaving chickens for the winter, you should remember that a greenhouse and a greenhouse are different structures. It is not advisable to keep laying hens in a greenhouse, since it cannot be fully equipped according to the needs of the birds.

The greenhouse provides ample opportunities for housing chickens, caring for them and cleaning. In a greenhouse, they can even lay eggs in winter, although not as actively as in summer.

For example, such popular breeds as Leghorn or cross Highsex are capable of producing up to 300-310 eggs per year, some of which, naturally, occur in the winter.

To ensure that the egg production of chickens does not decline, it is necessary to think through the birds’ diet and even the dishes from which they will eat.

What to assemble the feeder from?

Bunker feeder
Chickens have powerful paws, which they like to use to rake everything that is under these paws. Therefore, feeders are made as closed and raised above the ground as possible.

The second requirement for the feeder: it must have a large perimeter so that all pets can eat from it at the same time if they want.

Otherwise, the birds will begin to show aggression, and weaker individuals will refuse to lay eggs.

Of greatest interest are bunker feeders, also known as dispenser feeders , into which a lot of feed is poured in case the owners are unable to enter the poultry house on time.

They are made from scrap materials, for example, five-liter drinking water cans.

How to make a drinking bowl?

Set of feeder and drinker
Drinkers for chickens are made with the same calculation: so that birds cannot step on them with their paws. This pollutes the water and creates a damp zone around the drinking bowl, which in winter will become a source of infection.

The following types of drinkers are used in chicken coops:

Open. These drinking bowls are easy to make with your own hands from a sewer pipe. Nozzles are attached to it at both ends to hold water, and several holes for drinking are drilled in the middle.
Automatic drinking bowls. This is a large container of water sitting on a basin or plate. Water does not pour out of the container completely due to atmospheric pressure.
Nipple. The bird presses the valve with its beak and receives a small portion of water. It is useful to equip such a drinking bowl with a drip eliminator from below.

Feeders and drinking bowls are placed away from each other. In any case, birds will be careless, scatter some of the food and spill water, and food that has soured in water is a source of infection.

Content Rules

Keeping chickens in a polycarbonate greenhouse in winter requires following basic rules:

Optimal temperature conditions are a prerequisite for keeping chickens. The temperature should not fall below 10 degrees. The ideal option for laying hens is a temperature above 15 degrees.
Maintaining daylight for 12-14 hours.
No drafts or excess humidity.
Availability of fresh water and food in sufficient quantities.
Balanced diet and vitamins.
Heating the room in cold weather.
Long walks on warm, windless days.
Periodic cleaning and disinfection of dishes and drinking bowls.
Constant access to sand and ash.

Compliance with the listed rules and requirements will allow you to preserve the livestock in the winter. Prevents a decrease in egg production of chickens.

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Possible diseases and their treatment

In winter, chickens are susceptible to diseases that result from:

colds;
infections;
injuries, poisoning;
parasite activity.

Most often in winter, chickens suffer from:

Laryngotracheitis , which is an infectious disease and manifests itself in inactivity, decreased egg production, hoarse breathing, and the formation of conjunctivitis. Infectious laryngotracheitis is treated with Tromexin, which is given at the very beginning of the disease in the amount of 2 g diluted in a liter of water, and then until the chicken’s final recovery, 1 g dissolved in a liter of water.
Bronchopneumonia , which is bronchial inflammation and manifests itself in hoarse breathing, immobility, runny nose, and loss of appetite. For treatment, spraying of “Ashpiseptol” in the chicken coop is used, as well as doses of “Terramycin” or “Norfloxacin” determined by the veterinarian. Preventive measures include compliance with the recommended temperature regime and acceptable humidity level in the poultry house.
Pullorosis , which is fowl typhus and affects the intestines of chickens. The disease manifests itself in a sharp decrease in appetite, increased temperature, and the appearance of diarrhea. Treatment consists of taking sulfa drugs for a week.
Colibacillosis , which affects the entire chicken flock and primarily affects the lungs of the bird. The disease manifests itself in lethargy, increased temperature, a sharp deterioration in appetite, hoarse breathing, and severe thirst. Treatment consists of chickens taking Sarafloxalin, Enrofloxacin and Ampicillin, the dose of which is determined by a veterinarian in each specific case.
Salmonellosis , which is a disease transmitted by the salmonella bacterium and affecting the internal organs of chicken. The disease manifests itself in the chicken's apathy, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and lameness. During the treatment of the disease, Sulfanilamide, Biomycin, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline, Chlortetracycline are used.

The idea of using a greenhouse in the form of a poultry house that is idle during the cold season for the winter keeping of chickens is finding more and more supporters and followers. With a little additional equipment, a polycarbonate greenhouse becomes an excellent home for wintering laying hens.

Insulation of polycarbonate buildings

The most important thing is to insulate the chicken coop well in winter. If heat loss is kept to a minimum, then in regions with mild winters additional heating becomes unnecessary - the chickens generate enough heat to feel comfortable.

First of all, you need to insulate the foundation - most often for greenhouses and hotbeds they use a strip foundation. It needs to be dug in from the outside and covered with foam sheets over its entire height. It is advisable to protect the top with a slab, boards or at least plywood. After this, the foundation is covered with earth.

The building itself also needs to be insulated. The inside of the walls is covered with plywood, chipboard sheets or clapboard. Insulation is placed between them - preferably at least 2-3 cm, in order to reduce heat loss to a minimum. The outside walls are lined with covering material - it absorbs moisture and gradually removes it to the floor, so that condensation does not form on the ceiling.

On a note! There is no need to insulate the ceiling.

Installation of internal elements for living and feeding

In order for chickens to feel comfortable in a polycarbonate greenhouse in winter, you need to ensure adequate feeding.

Comfortable perch

The easiest way to make feeders is from PVC pipes - for this you need to take pieces with a diameter of about 10-12 cm and make round holes about 5-7 cm in them. Such feeders are easy to clean, and chickens do not have the opportunity to climb into them with their feet and stain the food with droppings . Yes, and in this case they scatter less food.

Important! The easiest way to provide chickens with clean drinking water is to install nipple drinkers.

We must not forget about perches. Chickens prefer to sleep on them, just like their distant ancestors on tree branches. To make it, you will need a rounded beam with a diameter of 4-5 cm. The lower tier is located at a height of 40 cm from the floor, so that even a young chicken can jump on it. Subsequent ones - at intervals of half a meter. For each chicken, you need to allocate at least 30 cm of perch to prevent excessive crowding.