We will help you to easily and quickly get the information you need and make a great chicken coop buying decision. 

The whole process of finding the right coop can seem daunting to say the least. Fear not! It really is not that hard. Most of it is logic that you already know. A few things are not though and it is important to be aware of them.

Here are the top three things we think new chicken keepers should be aware of when buying their first chicken coop.

Coop and Chicken Run Safety Cannot Be Overstated

Sad, but true example: Everything, it seems, will eat a chicken. A hawk flying in the air above a free-ranging hen and her owners (our customer's) swooped down on our unsuspecting and very surprised newby chicken keepers. The sweet couple were horrified to see the destruction of their lovely hen, Pricilla, right in front of their own eyes. An unprotected chicken may be okay, but it is usually a risk you must be willing to take. 

Raccoons love to come in through open windows. Some animals burrow under coops and runs, some look for any vulnerability and take advantage of it. Predators are smart...and hungry (except raccoons, we never have quite figured out their chicken death wish that does not end with them eating the birds). We cannot blame these animals for the rumbles in their tummies but we can do everything in our power to keep chickens safe. So all that being said, do take protecting backyard chickens seriously. 

Heat Kills Chickens, Cold Rarely Does

But, what about all those cute chicken sweaters on Pinterest? They are adorable and maybe, just maybe, if you really do live in a cold climate, AND it is very cold outside (and by cold we mean that it is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit for five days or more) your chickens might like them. As long as you pick their favorite colors too. Ha ha. So on the more serious side, your backyard hens can have real problems from lack of adequate airflow inside the coop and from extreme heat outside. If you could ask your chicken what days they liked best, they would probably answer that days ranging from 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit are their favorites. Makes sense with all those lovely feathers to keep them warm!

Two Years from Now, You May House More Chickens  - (yes, it is quite likely if you love fresh eggs!)

If you are considering a high quality Amish chicken coop kit like the ones we sell, you are planning to make a commitment and investment in your hobby farm. It is going to be around for 10, 15 maybe 20 years or more. It is less expensive to get the right sized coop than to purchase two well made hen houses.

Why will you have more chickens? First, you probably are not going to lose chickens along the way from issues with predators if you have a good coop. Second, your backyard pet chickens are very likely not on a path to becoming soup when they stop laying eggs, but they will almost assuredly stop laying eggs before they enter hen heaven. So what will you do then? Perhaps you will get another hen. And it will need a home. And you coop will need the chicken house to be big enough for the new chicken. You see what we are thinking here? The basics of raising poultry are needed to figure out what you might really need for a coop. Your birds start laying at about 5 months. They will lay for about 18 months. Backyard chickens can live from 5 to 10 years.