Housing chickens FAQs

Wondering what the ideal chicken setup looks like? It differs between keepers, but there are some universal truths when it comes to housing chickens. From coops and runs to enrichment items like toys and perches, here are some common considerations when it comes to hen housing.

Family with their flock in the Omlet Walk In Chicken Run

Housing your chickens in Omlet’s Eglu Cube Chicken Coop and Walk In Chicken Run makes flock-raising easy as ever.

What is the ideal chicken setup?

Chickens need these basics in order to thrive in their home:

A safe, comfortable chicken coop to roost and lay eggs in
Dedicated space, whether inside of a chicken run or chicken fencing, or free-range areas
Covered areas to get out of the sun, rain, snow, and wind
An area for dust baths
Chicken feeders and waterers

As chicken math gets the better of most chicken-keepers, it’s best to start off with a hen house that has room to grow. An extra large chicken coop will enable you to add flock members throughout your journey without compromising the comfort of your existing hens.

What makes the best chicken coop?

The best chicken coops are made of plastic. We aren’t just biased in our opinion – it’s a scientifically proven fact that plastic chicken coops are healthier than wooden chicken coops for your flock. There are several reasons for this, as our plastic chicken coops:

Offer superior, draft-free ventilation
Are twin-wall insulated
Provide protection from predators
Prevent moisture buildup, parasites, and mold or mildew
Comfortable and spacious roosting racks that are easy on hens’ feet
Dedicated nesting areas for privacy

And the benefits don’t stop at your flock. Plastic chicken coops offer chicken keepers numerous advantages over wooden coops. Our coops:

Are easy to clean in just minutes with a water hose or pressure washer
Can be converted into mobile chicken coops with optional handles and wheels
Can be customized with walk in chicken runs and automatic chicken coop doors
Never rot or need maintenance

Ultimately, the best chicken coops are those that meet your flock’s needs, make caring for them as easy as possible, and last a lifetime.

What do I need for my chicken coop?

If you’ve selected an Omlet chicken coop, the only additional item you’ll need is bedding for both the droppings tray and the nesting area. Most chicken keepers prefer to use two different types of bedding to avoid confusing their hens, and common options include:

Pine shavings or pellets
Recycled or shredded paper
Straw
Aspen fiber

You may also want to consider adding an automatic chicken coop door to your hens’ house. The addition of an Autodoor to your chicken coop allows you to keep your flock on schedule, even if you want to sleep in or stay out late. And, it offers an extra layer of security against predators.

If you live in an area that experiences severe cold temperatures or heavy snowfall, extreme chicken coop weather protection can be added to provide another layer of insulation against the cold.

What do I need in my chicken run?

Chickens are birds, and as such, enjoy perching and playing. Some things to consider adding to their run include:

Even though chickens don’t fly well, they enjoy getting a new vantage point by hopping up to a perch. And, all chickens are foragers by nature, so offering them treats in diverse ways will appeal to their curiosity.

You’ll also want to cover at least part of the run with chicken run weather protection to keep your hens shielded from the elements. A muddy chicken run can harbor harmful bacteria, and unrelenting rays of the sun can cause heatstroke. Run covers keep your chickens dry and shaded, and when mounted on the sides of the run, can offer a windbreak as well.

How do I keep my chickens safe from predators?

Chicken predators are a reality that all flock-raisers will face. Thankfully, our strong, wire-weld chicken runs are fully enclosed to protect against aerial attacks, and feature anti-dig skirting to prevent predators from tunneling into your flock’s space. Adding an Autodoor to the coop adds another layer of security, as the horizontally opening door mechanism is extremely difficult for predators to pry open. And, with t-locking, raccoon-resistant handles, your chickens’ coop will be impervious to tactile attacks.

If you live in an area where snakes are a problem, you may want to consider wrapping the bottom 3-4 feet of your chicken run in ¼-½ inch hardware cloth. This will prevent snakes from squeezing through the gaps in the wire of the run. Your flock’s feed should always be stored in airtight containers to deter mice or rats from venturing into the run, which can also attract snakes. Pick up and store any feed that is left out at the end of the day to avoid attention from varmints, and collect eggs daily.

Omlet and your hens’ home

Our expertly designed chicken products elevate your flock’s accommodations and your chicken-keeping conditions. Never worry about damp, rotting, and parasite-riddled setups – our chicken coops, chicken runs, and chicken toys and accessories are crafted to withstand the test of time, building a lifelong bond between you and your flock.