Even in an urban environment, it is possible to raise animals such as chickens and rabbits if you have a large garden. To ensure that the hen house and hutch are installed according to the required standards and allow for the comfort of the animals, it is important to clearly define the project before its implementation. How to proceed?
Location of the henhouse and hutch and animal comfort
The first step in setting up a chicken house and hutch in a garden is finding the right location. This is important for the comfort and development of the animals. A draught-free place should be defined, especially for the nesting and resting area. If there is a lot of draught in the garden, it may be necessary to install artificial windbreaks. It is important that the part of the ground where the chicken house and hutch are located is slightly higher than the surrounding areas. This prevents standing water, which is never good for the animals, especially in the wet season. The hen house and hutch must have some sunlight during the day. In other words, the orientation of the animals' habitat should be well defined so that it allows them to develop and be healthy.
Structure of the chicken house and hutch
Once the location is well defined, the next step is to define the appropriate structure for the henhouse and hutch to be installed in the garden. It makes sense to opt for a multi-storey house. On the ground floor, for example, there is a shaded area where the hens can take shelter during the heat in the middle of the day. The feed and water trough can be set up in this area, which is protected from the weather. It is also possible to install perches. On the first floor are the hutch, the resting area and also the nesting area. The hens have easy access to these areas via a ramp. The installation of a hen house and hutch still requires a pen with a floor area of approximately 1.5 m2 per hen. The height of the pen should be at least 1 metre so that the hens can roam freely. The rabbits can stay in their hutch all day long without this hindering their development and growth.
Building materials and installation
Installing a chicken house and hutch that guarantees optimal comfort consists in carefully choosing the materials to be used. If plastic is excellent and symbolizes modernity and evolution, wood remains a reliable and good quality material. It makes sense to choose a high-quality wooden animal housing, such as oak, beech, etc. Wood is also easy to insulate. Wood is also easy to insulate, because parts of the habitat such as the nesting and resting areas need to be insulated so that the animals are comfortable. The roof can be made of slate, PVC or treated wood. The enclosure should be made of wood and stainless steel wire mesh. In this way, the construction is resistant to the weather and the vagaries of time. A good do-it-yourselfer can design his own chicken house and hutch. However, it is still possible to buy them and have them installed by an experienced professional.