Top 5 Commercial-Grade Chicken Housing Solutions for Small Farms

Welcome to our guide on the best chicken housing options for small-scale farmers! Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing setup, we've got you covered with these top-notch solutions that balance comfort, efficiency, and durability. In this guide, we'll explore each option, providing insights and tips to help you make the best choice for your farm. Let's look at the coops that'll keep your chickens happy, healthy, and productive while ensuring your farm runs smoothly.

1. 3ft Mary Hen House

First on our list is the 3ft Mary Hen House, a great choice for small farms. This coop is made from sustainable timber, making it eco-friendly and easy to use. It has features that make your daily chicken care easier and keep your chickens comfortable.

Here's what makes this coop special:

• Easy-clean design with a pull-out tray: This makes it simple to clean waste without bothering your chickens. It saves time and keeps your chickens' home clean.
• Waterproof 'Insoflute' roof: This keeps your chickens dry in all weather. It's great for the UK's often wet climate.
• Cosy space for 2-4 hens: It's just the right size for a small group of chickens to move, sleep, and lay eggs comfortably.
• Made in Britain with good materials: This coop is built to last in the British weather.

To keep your chickens even safer and healthier, check out our coop cleaning and maintenance products. Regular cleaning helps your coop last longer and keeps your chickens healthy.

2. Rita Chicken Ark

Next is the Rita Chicken Ark, a versatile housing solution perfect for small farms. This ark is a smart choice for balancing chicken care with land management. Made from certified wood, it's good for your chickens and the environment.

Here's why the Chicken Ark stands out:

• Waterproof roof: Keeps your chickens dry in all weather, which is great for the UK's changing climate.
• Easy access doors: Makes collecting eggs and cleaning quick and easy.
• Multiple size options: You can choose the perfect size for your flock and farm space.
• Mobility for rotational grazing: You can move your chickens to fresh grass, which is good for them and your land.

It's a good investment if you're thinking about keeping chickens as pets or for small-scale egg production.

By choosing the Rita Chicken Ark, you're not just housing your chickens; you're helping your soil, controlling pests, and farming more sustainably. It's great for small farms looking to make chicken keeping part of a bigger, more eco-friendly farming plan.

3. Henrietta Chicken Ark

For small farms looking to improve their chicken housing, the Henrietta Chicken Ark is a great option. This coop is lifted off the ground, which helps in many ways. It's not just about looks; it makes life better for your chickens and easier for you, especially if your farm has damp or uneven ground.

Here's why a raised coop is good for your small farm:

• Better air flow: The raised design lets air move better through the coop. This helps keep your chickens healthy and comfortable all year round.
• Easier to clean: With removable trays and better access, cleaning is much simpler. This helps keep your chickens healthy and makes your job easier.
• Safe nesting area: The raised design gives hens a quiet, protected place to lay eggs. This can mean more eggs and less stressed chickens.
• Safer from ground predators: Being off the ground makes it harder for foxes and other animals to get to your chickens.
• Stays drier: The coop doesn't touch wet ground, which helps prevent foot problems and other health issues in your chickens.

A raised coop is especially good if your farm has tricky ground or if you want to use the space under the coop for storage or as part of your farming system. It also makes it easier to watch your chickens and check on their health.

4. Home & Roost 12ft Chicken Run Extension

The Home & Roost 12ft Chicken Run Extension is a great addition for small farms wanting to improve their chicken housing. This big run gives your chickens more space to act naturally, which makes them happier and healthier. It's not a complete coop by itself, but it's perfect for farms looking to make their existing chicken homes better.

Here's why this chicken run extension is good for your small farm:

• Lots of extra space: This 12ft extension gives your chickens plenty of room to scratch, dust bathe, and look for food. More space means less stressed chickens, which can lead to better health and more eggs.
• Made from good wood in the UK: It's built with wood from sustainable sources in Britain. This is good for the environment and means the run will last a long time.
• Roof panels that open easily: You can open the roof from both sides, making it easy to care for your chickens and clean the run.
• Special wood treatment: The wood is treated with TIMBAC® Earth coating, which is safe for animals and makes the wood last longer, even in wet UK weather.

It's 3600mm long, 900mm wide, and 600mm high, giving your chickens lots of space to explore. Happy chickens with more space often lay more eggs. To make the most of this extra space, you could add things like branches for perching or different plants for the chickens to explore.

Remember, good housing is just part of caring for chickens. To keep your flock healthy and productive, you also need to feed them well. Check out our chicken food storage options to keep their food fresh and safe from pests.

5. Canterbury Walk-In Chicken Coop

For small farms with bigger flocks or plans to grow, a large capacity coop is really important. While we don't have specific details on this model, it's good to know about the benefits of bigger coops. These coops are made to house lots of chickens while keeping them healthy, productive, and easy to care for.

Here are the main features and advantages of large capacity coops:

• Room for 10 or more chickens: Big coops give each chicken enough space to move, sleep, and do normal chicken things. This means less stress and fewer fights between chickens, which can lead to healthier birds.
• Lots of nesting boxes: With more chickens, you need more places for them to lay eggs. Big coops often have several nesting boxes, which means less competition and stress when chickens are laying eggs.
• Strong construction: Large coops are built to last, with strong materials that can handle lots of chickens and protect them from bad weather and predators.
• Easy to clean: Managing more chickens takes more time, so many big coops have features that make cleaning easier, like removable trays or easy-to-wash surfaces.
• Good air flow: Proper air circulation is really important in bigger coops to prevent moisture and bad smells. Look for coops with adjustable vents or windows.
• Attached run or room to expand: Many large coops come with an outdoor area or let you add one. This gives chickens a safe place to go outside and act naturally.

Getting a larger coop can be a smart choice if you want to have more chickens or already have a lot. It gives your birds plenty of space, which can lead to better health and more eggs. When thinking about a big coop, consider your farm's future plans. A well-designed large coop might cost more at first, but it can save money and time in the long run.

Remember, while a big coop is good, you also need to feed your chickens well and take good care of them to get the most out of their new home.

Conclusion

Choosing the right chicken housing solution for your small farm is a crucial decision that impacts both your birds' wellbeing and your farm's productivity. From the compact 3ft Mary Hen House to the spacious Canterbury Walk-In Chicken Coop, each option offers unique advantages to suit different needs and farm sizes. The key is to consider your specific requirements, including flock size, available space, local weather conditions, and future expansion plans.

When making your decision, remember these essential points:

• Focus on features that promote easy cleaning and maintenance to save time and ensure bird health
• Consider the UK climate and choose coops with proper weatherproofing and ventilation
• Look for sturdy construction and predator-proof designs to protect your investment
• Plan for potential growth by choosing housing that can accommodate future expansion

Whether you opt for a mobile ark like the Rita or Henrietta models, or a permanent structure like the Canterbury Walk-In Coop, ensure your choice aligns with your farm's long-term goals and management style. Remember that good housing is just the foundation - combine it with proper care, feeding, and management practices to create a thriving, productive small farm operation.