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Rearing chickens can be fun. When you have grown up with them, you would know the kind of creatures they are and you will realise what fun they can be. It is even more so if they have their own chicken coop. It is also called a hen house, because the majority of residents are hens with one or two cocks hanging around. The fewer cocks there are the fewer fights you will have. One should be sufficient.

As poultry, chickens are reared for their meat, but it is much more fun to have them as pets. They do offer up some eggs if you are not vegan as some vegetarians do eat eggs. As a messy bunch (pooping wherever they want to) you need to contain your pets in a house of their own.

You may want to build them a special home with their own little yard which is called the chicken run. This is the place where they can roam free, scratch about and eat the insects that enter their little space. It is also a space that could serve as protection for them.

The hen house should be built in such a way that the chickens are protected as well. They are helpless against attackers whether you live in an urban area or on a small holding. Stray cats and dogs and your odd owl can be a danger to your chickens and the chicks.

Your coop must include perches, because they love sitting high up to sleep. They enjoy building their own nests, but you can build it for them (out of straw) in which to lay their eggs. The best way to protect them against predators is to place the coop on stilts. They could have a little staircase to the entrance which in turn can become an afternoon resting spot.

The size of the hen-house will depend entirely on how many of chickens you want to keep. If they are in your backyard you do not need to have a large number as the space is a bit cramped. Your backyard is also a good place to let them out as opposed to a chicken run as they can assist with getting rid of unwanted insects and snails.

Many chicken coops are built for all and sundry to live together. The result is that when chicks are hatched, they sometimes get trampled, get hurt and eventually die as they are very frail when young. A coop with a section for the hen and chicks to be kept is a very good idea for the purpose of safety for the chicks.

Chicken do not appreciate too cold, too hot or too damp conditions. When you build you chicken coop, you should take that into consideration. The interior should also be light and have some sunshine some time in the day, so adding windows would help. As pets, your chickens need your interaction and to get that you might want to feed them personally and provide them with fresh water as well. You will enjoy the company as well as they would.

For additional clever tips and info about chickens and chicken coops, visit ChickenCoopAdvice.com