Checklist: Everything you need to arrange before getting new chickens

If you've decided to keep chickens, there's a lot to arrange before you can welcome the first chicks or laying hens into your garden. It's important to be well-prepared so your chickens immediately feel at home in their new environment. In this comprehensive checklist, you'll find everything you need to do to prepare your coop and run for the arrival of your new feathered friends.

Choosing the right location

The first step is choosing the right spot for your chicken coop and run. Chickens have several important needs you should consider:

• Sunlight: Chickens need plenty of sunlight. Choose a location that receives good light throughout the day.
• Shelter: The coop and run should provide shelter from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. Make sure they are out of direct sun during the hottest parts of the day.
• Dry ground: Chickens don't like wet feet. Ensure a dry, well-drained surface in the coop and run.
• Screening: Place the coop and run in a location that is screened from curious eyes and predators such as foxes.

Building the chicken coop

The chicken coop is the heart of your chicken enclosure. This is where chickens sleep at night and lay their eggs. Make sure the coop meets the following requirements:

• Size: Allow at least 0.5 square meters of floor space per chicken in the coop. Also, consider extra space for nests and roosts.
• Ventilation: Ensure sufficient ventilation in the coop for fresh air circulation. Prevent drafts.
• Insulation: Insulate the walls and roof well so the chickens are protected from extreme temperatures.
• Doors and windows: Place doors and windows strategically for light and accessibility.
• Nest boxes: Provide the coop with enough nest boxes, about one per four chickens.
• Roosts: Install roosts at the correct height so the chickens can sleep comfortably.

Building the chicken run

The chicken run is the outdoor area where your chickens can roam, forage, and dust bathe during the day. When designing the run, consider the following points:

• Size: Provide at least 1 square meter of run space per chicken. The larger, the better.
• Fencing: Use sturdy wire mesh or fencing to enclose the run so your chickens cannot escape and predators are kept out.
• Shelter: Create shaded areas in the run, for example, with shrubs or a lean-to.
• Ground cover: Cover the bottom of the run with a layer of wood chips or gravel for a dry, clean surface.
• Access: Create good access from the coop to the run so you can easily reach your chickens.

Providing food and water

In addition to good shelter, your chickens naturally need food and water. Ensure:

• Feeders: Place robust, easy-to-clean feeders in the coop and run.
• Waterers: Provide your chickens with clean, fresh drinking water in durable, leak-proof waterers.
• Feed: Choose a high-quality complete chicken feed, supplemented with healthy snacks.
• Grit: Provide a container of grit so your chickens can properly digest their food.

Other necessities

Finally, there are a few other things you should have ready before your chickens arrive:

• Nesting material: Place enough nesting material, such as straw or wood shavings, in the nest boxes.
• Dust bath area: Create a dust bath area in the run so your chickens can preen themselves.
• Shelters: Place some shelters in the run, such as branches or wooden blocks.
• Pest control: Take measures against pests such as mice and rats.
• First aid kit: Have a complete first aid kit for your chickens, in case something goes wrong.

With this comprehensive checklist, you'll be well-prepared for the arrival of your new chickens. Once everything is ready, you can welcome the first chicks or laying hens to their new home. Enjoy your chicken keeping!

Additional tips

• Let your coop and run stand for a few weeks before your chickens arrive so that smells and sounds become familiar.
• Place a few old eggs in the nest boxes so your chickens know where to lay.
• Establish a good daily routine for caring for your chickens so they feel at home quickly.
• Keep the run and coop clean to prevent diseases.
• Study the needs of your chicken breed so you can optimally respond to their specific requirements.