Having a flock of chickens in your backyard is becoming increasingly popular, as people look for natural, farm-fresh alternatives to store-bought foods. Whether its for eggs or for meat, chickens are a great way to introduce yourself to animal husbandry with a reduced effort and cost investment. But keeping chickens takes time and energy, especially if you’re trying to be self-sufficient and maximize the egg-to-feed ratio of your chickens. Fortunately, with the help of modern technology, it’s possible to create a totally self-sufficient chicken coop that does a lot of the work for you, freeing up your time and energy.
At the foundation of any self-sustainable chicken coop are the doors. An automatic door that is programmed to a timer or photocell is essential to keeping your chickens in and all the predators out. Doing this manually would be extremely time consuming, but if you invest in an automated system, you can rest easy that your chickens are safe.
To make sure your chickens have access to fresh food, you’ll need to install an automatic feeder. These systems range from automatic timed feeders to more full-featured ones with sensors that only open when there’s a chicken nearby. This saves time and energy of checking to see if your feeder is empty and also prevents waste.
The walls of the coop need to be properly insulated in order to keep structure warm, humane and hygienic. Insulated walls can help keep the water from freezing in the winter months and also help keep temperatures regulated during the hot summers.
No self-sufficient chicken coop would be complete without an efficient and hygienic water system. Installing a rain collector along with a storage and water dispensing system is the best way to go. This type of system keeps your water fresh and also saves your wallet by taking advantage of free rainwater.
Another important design feature for an automated chicken coop is an efficient ventilation system. This helps regulate the temperature of the coop and keeps the chickens from getting overheated. Having an intake for fresh air and an exhaust for stale air is a must have for any self-sustaining chicken enclosure.
Finally, you need to consider the predators in your area. Installing a predator-proof fence, encasements and mesh is a key step to keeping your chickens safe and sound. Once your coop is built, it’s also important to construct a dust bath for your chickens to keep their feathers clean and healthy.
If you want to collect the eggs produced in your chicken coop, you can also install an automated system to ensure all eggs are collected. This is a great way to save you time and energy, as well as help prevent any eggs from being broken or forgotten.
With these features, you can create the perfect self-sufficient chicken coop that is both efficient and humane. Investing in the latest automation systems can help save you time and energy, and will make sure your chickens are kept safe and healthy.