Category_Chickens · Coop Care ·

What Should Be in a Chicken Coop? 7 Necessities

by Nancy Jefferson, Ph.D.
farmer building a chicken coop

If you've spent time dreaming about your first backyard flock, you've probably wondered: what should be inside a chicken coop to keep your birds happy, healthy, and safe? As a company caring for chicken nutrition for years, we have seen what works and what doesn't!

Here's something cool about chickens: they're pretty simple creatures with straightforward needs. A thoughtfully stocked coop doesn't just protect your birds. It helps them thrive and gives you fresh eggs to boot. Want to know the secret to a successful setup? It's all about understanding what your feathered friends really need.

Why a Thoughtful Coop Layout is the Key to a Happy Flock

The inside of a chicken coop is so much more than just walls and roosts. Chickens are creatures of habit, and they actually love having a sense of order in their space. You know how you feel more relaxed when your home is organized? Your chickens feel the same way about their coop.

A coop that's too cramped, too dark, or poorly ventilated can stress your flock and lead to health problems or pecking issues. Nobody wants that! A good coop layout should include several key zones that work together.

Your birds need separation between their nesting, roosting, feeding, and dust bathing areas. Think of it like rooms in your house: each space has its own purpose. Proper ventilation is crucial because it helps reduce moisture and ammonia buildup from droppings. Access to natural light keeps your hens laying regularly. And safe, predator-proof construction keeps unwanted guests out.

You wouldn't enjoy living in a cramped, messy room, and neither would your hens. Give them space to be chickens, and they'll reward you with healthy behavior and plenty of eggs.

Top 7 Chicken Coop Necessities

Here's your go-to checklist for what should be inside a chicken coop. These necessities will ensure your setup is livable and lovable for your birds.

Nesting Boxes


Every 3 to 4 hens should have access to one nesting box. These cozy spots give your girls a clean, quiet place to lay their eggs, and they'll appreciate the privacy! Keep boxes slightly off the ground and filled with soft straw or shavings.

Here's a tip from experience: clean these regularly to discourage pests and keep your eggs pristine. You'll thank yourself later when you're collecting beautiful, clean eggs each morning.

Roosting Bars


At night, chickens instinctively want to sleep off the ground. It's how they stay safe from predators in the wild. Roosting bars provide them with a secure place to perch and get their beauty sleep. Use rounded or flat wooden bars about 2 to 4 inches wide, and make sure there's enough room for each bird to have their own space.

If you've ever watched chickens at bedtime, you'll notice they have their favorite spots. It's actually pretty entertaining to watch them settle in for the night.

Proper Ventilation


Even in winter, your coop needs airflow. Ventilation helps remove moisture and the ammonia that builds up from droppings. Without it, you'll end up with respiratory issues in your flock.

Install vents above the birds' heads near the roof to avoid drafts while allowing circulation. Your chickens will breathe easier, and so will you when you're cleaning the coop. Cover all openings with hardware cloth rather than chicken wire. This small step stops weasels, snakes, and other predators from sneaking in.

Bedding and Litter


Pine shavings or straw work great for bedding. Here's something important: avoid cedar shavings, which can harm chickens. Keep bedding clean and dry. This controls odor and helps prevent respiratory issues.

We like to think of bedding as the foundation of coop comfort. Fresh, dry bedding makes the difference between a pleasant coop and one that’s... well, let's just say less pleasant!

Feeders and Waterers


Keep feed off the floor to avoid spoilage and waste. Trust us, chickens can be messier than you'd expect! Position feeders and waterers away from roosts and nesting boxes to keep them clean. Always provide fresh water, especially during hot weather when your birds need to drink more. If you're looking for quality feed options, we've got you covered with our poultry collection.

Dust Bathing Area


Want to see something that'll make you smile? Watch chickens take a dust bath! It's their natural way of staying clean and free of mites. You can create a dust bath inside the coop or run using a shallow container filled with sand, soil, and wood ash.
If you've never seen chickens dust bathe before, you're in for a treat. They roll around like they're at a spa, and it's one of the most entertaining things about keeping chickens.

Access to Quality Chicken Feed


Even the best coop setup can't replace the role of good nutrition. Make sure your flock gets a balanced, nutritious diet that supports their health and egg production. Whether you go with conventional or organic, we've spent decades crafting feeds that deliver consistent results.

The Importance of Chicken Coop Size

Here's a mistake we see with new keepers: underestimating how much space chickens really need. A cramped coop leads to pecking, stress, and even disease.

The general rule that works well is giving each bird 3 to 4 square feet inside the coop and 8 to 10 square feet in the run. More space is always better, and your chickens will be happier for it.

If you live in a colder climate where chickens spend more time indoors during winter, you might want to increase the indoor space even more. You'll also want to design your coop with cleaning in mind. Ease of access helps you keep things fresh and makes your life easier.

Find the Best Chicken Feed to Add to Your Coop with Kalmbach Feeds

Your hens will only be as healthy as the feed they're given. And that's where we come in. At Kalmbach Feeds, we've spent decades crafting poultry nutrition that delivers consistent results. From All-Natural, to Non-GMO and organic layer pellets to starter crumbles and textured feeds, you can find exactly what your flock needs, whether you're raising heritage breeds, hybrids, or backyard layers.

Check out our complete poultry nutrition guide to ensure you're stocked with the right feed for every stage of your chickens' lives. We're here to help you give your birds the best.

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Nancy Jefferson, Ph.D.

Dr. Nancy Jefferson has been a member of the Nutrition and Technical Services team at Kalmbach Feeds since 2013. She received her Ph.D. from West Virginia University in 2008 and has worked in the feed industry for over 15 years. She lives on a farm in Crown City, OH with her husband, John, and their children. Dr. Jefferson is a passionate poultry enthusiast and loves her chickens! Together, she and her family raise beef cattle and she keeps an ever-growing flock of backyard chickens.

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