Roost & Root - Coops

Here is an insightful list of five things to consider when buying a chicken coop that will help you select the perfect home for your flock! Things to Consider 1 – Let your motivation dictate the coop that you select. For example, if you are looking to conveniently and quickly feed your birds, consider a coop with an outside feeding option that saves you from having to enter your coop. Alternatively, your goals may be more focused more on egg production. If gathering eggs is your main initiative, then figure out how many eggs you would like to collect in a week, the number of chickens needed, and search for a coop that will meet your flock’s capacity and needs. For an example, if you have 3 people in your family, and on average enjoy eating up to 20 eggs a week. Chickens lay 5 eggs on average a week, so you will need 4 hens to accomplish your egg quantity goals. 4 hens require 20 sq ft minimum (5 sq ft x 4 hens), so your coop should measure at least 4′ x 5′.   Things...

  Just as we enjoy a clean space, so do your chickens! Maintaining a clean coop prevents a multitude of problems that a flock owner can easily avoid. For example, an excessive amount of droppings in the coop can lead to a buildup of ammonia which isn’t good for your chickens, resulting in respiratory damage. In addition, a clean coop will deter any unwanted pests from bothering your flock and inhabiting your coop. Tip: One of the best ways to keep your coop clean and healthy for your flock is to provide plenty of ventilation. Also make sure your chicken coop is sized large enough for your flock. Tips to Make Cleaning Your Coop Easier: How often you should clean your coop depends on whether or not it’s filled to capacity with chickens. You should remove anydroppingson roost bars and wired areas at least once a week, we always prefer to use a metal brush and or scraper to ensure the best cleanliness. Depending on your nest box material, we recommend monitoring n...

We all know that regardless of where we reside, winters can be a concerning time for backyard chicken owners. Less daylight means less eggs and the cold and snowy weather can make simple chores seem so much worse. Chickens are pretty hardy, but there are some things you can do to help them, and you, during the cold, dark winter months. To help, we’ve put together this helpful guide for how to care for your chickens during the winter. 1# Refrain from Supplemental Heat Chickens do much better in cold temperatures than they do in high temperatures. After all, they are fluffy and downy, and they love to huddle close together on the roost bar at night. Their feathers are ideal for trapping warm air and their collective body heat keeps them sufficiently warm as is. Putting a heat source in your chicken coop may prove more dangerous than safe. Any straw/bedding placed inside the coop along with the unpredictable motions of chickens may be a recipe for disaster. Please do not put sweaters on...

  Your chicken coop set up is more than a place for your chickens to eat and sleep. In addition to being a safe and comfortable home, your chicken coop will need to provide adequate space, ease of use, and protection from weather and predators. We understand that encompassing all of these elements may seem slightly overwhelming if you’re a beginner. However, by following these simple guidelines, we’re certain that you’ll feel more aware and confident about what your chickens and their future home will need. If you’re bringing your first chicken home soon, or have newly hatched chicks, you’ve probably given some thought to where your chicken is going to live. Chickens live happily outdoors and enjoy the ability to free range. The important thing is that their chicken coop is built to last with quality materials as well as consideration of your local climate. Adequate ventilation as well as wind/snow protection will ensure that your birds stay healthy and safe through every se...