3. Within the house there is a need for some
basic equipment.
Perches
It is an evolutionary trait in poultry to seek an elevated perch at night to achieve
safety from predators and parasites. Perches can be made from 2 inch timber
and set approximately 2 – 3 feet off the ground, or higher if arranged in steps.
Each bird needs approximately 10 inches of perch space.
Nests
The birds need appropriate nest boxes if they are to be encouraged to lay their
eggs in clean hygienic conditions. These nest boxes need to be secluded and
fairly dark so the hen feels safe. The nests can be lined with straw, rice hulls, or
wood shaving to make a comfortable place for the hen to lay. They don’t
necessarily need individual nests but they do need at least 1.5
feet squared per bird as nesting space. Several hens may
lay at the same time. The litter in the nest boxes needs to
be refreshed regularly to maintain hygiene.
Water
Hens need ready access to fresh, clean water.
This can be provided in several ways e.g. open
bowls, nipples, hanging drinkers, fountains. The
laying pattern of hens is very quickly interrupted
if they run out of water. For this reason a water
bowl with a float valve to keep it constantly full is a
reasonably reliable water supply – but it will require
regular cleaning. Water quality is important and if the
water supply is not suitable for domestic use it is probably
not appropriate for the hens either. The water needs to be free
of bacterial contamination, dissolved salts, algal discolouration,
etc. Hens don’t use much water but the little they use is very
important to them – it must be good.
Insulation
Hens are reasonably tolerant of the cold, but are very
susceptible to hot weather. When building a shed it would be
wise to consider the insulating aspects of the materials used to
minimise any radiant heat on a hot day. The feather cover of hens is
very insulating so it is difficult to dissipate heat when stressed (particularly
since they don’t sweat). They rely on radiating heat from their combs and wattles
and via panting – all relatively inefficient. Cooling can be assisted by spraying
water on the roof of the house on extremely hot days, using foggers with
adequate ventilation to create an evaporative cooling effect, growing shady trees
either adjacent to the shed to shade it or in the outside run to allow the birds to
find a cool spot outside the shed on hot days.
Sand bath
Chooks like to clean up in a sand bath. This helps to maintain their plumage and
to eliminate potential parasites. All that is required is a simple shallow tank or pile
of sand that they can ruffle their feathers in to clean themselves up.
wood shaving to make a comfortable place for the hen to lay. They don’t
necessarily need individual nests but they do need at least 1.5
feet squared per bird as nesting space. Several hens may
lay at the same time. The litter in the nest boxes needs to
water supply is not suitable for domestic use it is probably
not appropriate for the hens either. The water needs to be free
minimise any radiant heat on a hot day. The feather cover of hens is