When it comes to raising backyard chickens, having the right setup can make all the difference in keeping your flock happy, healthy, and low-maintenance. That’s why today we’re diving into Chicken Coop Must-Haves You Didn’t Know You Needed—practical features and smart design tips that go beyond the basics, helping you create a coop that works for both you and your hens.
In this video, Audrey takes viewers through her personal chicken-keeping journey, showing how she started small and gradually upgraded her coops over the years. From her very first flock housed in a two-horse trailer, to her first simple DIY coop with a dirt floor and chicken wire walls, and finally to her dream coop built with the help of her dad and grandpa—Audrey emphasizes that perfection isn’t the goal. The most important thing is simply to get started with chickens.
She then highlights the chicken coop must-haves you didn’t know you needed. First, she explains the best practices for nesting boxes, including slanted tops to prevent chickens from perching (and pooping) on them, ideal box sizes for both small and large breeds, and the importance of keeping them low enough for hens that don’t fly well. Audrey also discusses how many nesting boxes you really need, and why hens often prefer to share a single box anyway.
Next, she covers roosting space, explaining why chickens instinctively roost in high areas, how to create a safe and comfortable stair-step or ladder design, and why wood is the best roosting material compared to metal or plastic. Ventilation is another critical feature, and Audrey demonstrates how she uses windows, vents, doors, and panels to keep fresh air flowing through her coop year-round.
Moving outside, she shares her favorite time-saving coop upgrades, like a large-capacity feeder that holds 150 pounds of food, and an automatic chicken waterer that saves her from daily refills and prevents spills. She also explains why she free-feeds her chickens, debunking the idea that hens will overeat if food is always available.
Other must-haves include providing grit and oyster shell in separate hanging containers to reduce waste, as well as setting up a designated dust bath with wood ash or diatomaceous earth to keep chickens naturally free from pests. Audrey also stresses the importance of predator protection, explaining how she enclosed her chicken yard with buried sheet metal to keep coyotes and other animals from digging in.
Finally, Audrey encourages viewers not to wait for the perfect design before starting their chicken journey. Whether you’re building, buying, or repurposing something as simple as a dog kennel or garden shed, you can incorporate these practical design tips to make chicken keeping easier and more enjoyable. She closes by inviting viewers to check out her chicken-keeping playlist for even more in-depth tips on raising a healthy, happy flock.
