Housing poultry
One of the basic requirements for any backyard flock is good housing. If you want consistent egg and meat production, your birds need shelter that protects them from weather and predators while allowing natural behaviours like scratching and dust bathing. Here’s what to consider.
Housing for farmyard poultry
You need to provide your backyard flock with a house or shed where they can be kept at night and in bad weather, and from which they can access outdoor areas. Ideally, the house should contain nest boxes and perches, and the birds should be able to free-range around it without coming to any harm.
For practical reasons though, it’s often necessary to provide a house with an enclosed or a fenced run attached, preferably a movable house. The house and run can be moved from one area to another so that fresh grassland is always available. In drier climates, straw can be put down in the run to provide a good base for the birds to scratch in for seeds, shoots, and insects.
Too often, hens are confined to one small area that becomes a bare patch of dust or mud.
The hen-house
The house can be fixed or movable (i.e. an ark).
It should be wind- and water-proof
It should be free of projections or sharp edges that could injure birds
It should have netted windows facing the sun and away from the prevailing wind
One large window may be sufficient but in colder areas, it is best to put shutters over the window(s) to retain warmth during the night
There should be a number of small openings or pop-holes so that the birds can enter and exit easily
They should be positioned to prevent wind and rain from coming into the shelter
The pop-holes should be fitted with slides or doors that can be closed when necessary to keep the birds in (or out)
The exit tracks can be graveled so that they don’t become muddy
Flooring
The floor can be of wood, concrete, or dirt and it should be free-draining.
You can put a layer of litter on the floor so that frequent cleaning is not necessary
Untreated (non-tanalised) wood shavings, straws, sawdust, or pine needles can be used
Hay does not make good litter because it remains damp and gets mouldy
The litter should be raked every week or so to keep the surface level, especially under perches where droppings accumulate
Caked litter should be removed and fresh litter added through the winter months
During cold winter weather, the good composted litter will give off heat, providing warmth for the birds
Perches
Perches must be securely fitted but removable for ease of cleaning
They should be 15–20 inches above the ground, and about 1–2 inches wide with no sharp edges
They must be readily accessible without the risk of injury
Nest boxes
Should be in a quiet, darkened area
About 16–20 inches square and the same in height
One nesting box for every five hens
Filled with fresh wood shavings or straw, changed at least twice a month
Young hens can be trained to use nest boxes by placing early floor eggs into them
Ventilation
There should be sufficient ventilation to provide fresh air without cold draughts.
Ammonia levels should not be high enough to irritate human eyes or noses
If you can smell ammonia, it’s time to improve ventilation
Temperature
The house should maintain a comfortable temperature all year.
In some areas, heating may be required in winter
Signs of overheating include panting and lethargy
Increase airflow if birds are persistently panting
Young chicks without their mother need to be kept at around 30°C, reducing weekly until ambient temperature is reached
Lighting
Poultry need good light for 8 to 16 hours daily
Avoid keeping birds in dark or poorly lit housing
Hygiene
Houses should be kept clean and dry
Clean thoroughly during summer when birds are moulting
Remove all litter, scrub or water-blast surfaces, and disinfect with insecticide
Good hygiene reduces the risk of infectious disease
Space
Adequate space is vital to avoid stress and feather-pecking
A 6x4 foot house suits 3–4 hens, or a rooster and 2 hens
For 12 hens, allow an 8x8 foot house
Fences
Fence runs to at least 6 feet high
Light breeds may jump lower fences even if clipped
Dust baths
Birds enjoy dust bathing and it helps control external parasites
If space allows, they will create their own
Otherwise, provide a dry sand bath near the house
Poisons
Avoid poisonous plants and substances like antifreeze, waste oil, or rat poison
Keep birds out of rubbish dumps
Predator control
Predation risk varies by region
Common predators include rats, hawks, and mustelids
Netting and secure night housing help
If using poison, ensure birds cannot access it
To help ensure your birds stay healthy and productive in their new home, our online poultry course covers everything you need to know about feeding, health care, egg production, and flock management.
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