{"title":"Large chicken coops (5+ chickens)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom a flock of five hens, the coop changes from a piece of garden furniture into a small barn. You want to be able to stand in it, get to it with a wheelbarrow and muck it out in half an hour. This page helps you choose a large chicken coop you will enjoy for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy walk-in makes the difference\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn a coop where you can stand upright, you calmly check in the evening whether all the birds are on the perch, spot red mite sooner and shovel out droppings without kneeling. A full-height door, next to a separate pop hole, is therefore no luxury in large coops. A floor of concrete, paving or a plastic sheet makes hosing down and disinfecting much easier than a wooden floor on bare ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSelection criteria for five chickens or more\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerch length:\u003c\/strong\u003e all the birds must be able to sleep at the same time, at the same height. Chickens fight over the highest spot if the perches are stepped.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of nest boxes:\u003c\/strong\u003e several hens lay around the same time. A multi-compartment plastic nest, such as the Gaun two-compartment nest in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/nest-boxes-and-perches\"\u003enest boxes and perches\u003c\/a\u003e, is easy to wash.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVentilation:\u003c\/strong\u003e more birds means more moisture and ammonia. Provide closable vents at the top and an inlet lower in the wall, without a draught on the perch.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e a mesh-covered window lets daylight in, which helps with checking and cleaning.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFoundation:\u003c\/strong\u003e a ground-standing model needs a sturdy, dig-proof edge; otherwise the floor becomes an entrance for rats.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCombining and fitting out\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA large coop needs a run on the same scale; see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/chicken-runs-and-enclosures\"\u003echicken runs and enclosures\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/chicken-coop-with-run\"\u003ecoop and run combinations\u003c\/a\u003e. With an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/automatic-chicken-coop-doors\"\u003eautomatic sliding door\u003c\/a\u003e, the routine stays the same, even when you get home later. If you only have a few hens, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/small-chicken-coops\"\u003ecompact garden coop\u003c\/a\u003e is enough. All options together are in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/chicken-coops-and-runs\"\u003echicken coop and run\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLarge coops are not yet part of the range; this page will be updated as soon as they are available.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom how many chickens do I need a walk-in coop?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere is no hard limit, but from about five birds, cleaning a low coop becomes awkward. A coop you can stand in then saves a lot of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes a large chicken coop need to be insulated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChickens cope well with cold, as long as they are dry and out of draughts. Insulating the roof mainly helps against heat in summer and condensation in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many nest boxes do I need for ten chickens?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSeveral; hens share nests, but not all at the same time. Gaun sells a plastic two-compartment nest box that, according to the product name, is designed for up to ten chickens.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.fidello.us\/collections\/large-chicken-coops.oembed","provider":"Fidello","version":"1.0","type":"link"}