I am looking into having some chickens and I heard that with the deep litter method, you can go up to a year without cleaning out the coop.  You just add another layer of litter whenever it starts to smell like ammonia.  I have two small children and they keep me very busy so I was wondering if anyone uses this method and if it really does work.  It almost sounds too good to be true.

I'm new and have been thinking about getting 3-5 hens this spring, but want to make sure I have all the things that I need first to do it. So, my mom and I were discussing what kind of house/coop to use. We came up with 3 different choices and I was wondering what other folks thought about them...

1. She has an old plastic dog house that I was thinking could be converted into something similar to an Eglu. 

2. I could build something out of recycled lumber, but my building skills are slim to none..  read more »

So I have a question...

Unfortunately, in my San Francisco apartment I have only a balcony.  A fire escape, really.  I have no yard.  The balcony is about 8x4 or so.

I'm wondering if it's possible (advisable) to keep chickens without direct access to real ground.  Can this be done?  Any tips/pointers?

Thanks,

-Benha

I am planning a coop for 2-4 hens in Albuquerque.  Some plan sites recommend insulation for a coop, others do not.  What do experienced chickenistas (and chickenistos) recommend for the central New Mexico climate?  Thanks. 

I am planning on building a coop for 2-4 hens.  Some sites recommend a poop tray; others ignore this feature.  What do experienced chickenistas recommend?  Thanks.  Karen

I was wondering how many of you use electrical heating for your coops during the winter.  I was consideringnot heating the coop this winter, but instead using a lot of straw insulation on the inside. 

My parents chickens in the Albuquerque North Valley suffered frost bite on their crowns in the winter but their coop wasn't well insulated.  I'm hoping I can avoid this without having to run an electrical cord out there.  Any suggestions/experiences. 

2008 Mad City Chicken Coop Tour

Sunday, July 20

Noon to 4 p.m.

Free  read more »

Hi KT,

We just wanted to say some of those coops you posted on your blog from the Albuquerque Coop Tour looked pretty darn spiffy.

Our chicks are finally big enough for some outside time during the day, but they're still too small to protect themselves from our cats. Since our cats were getting annoyed with us shooing them away, I decided it was time to build the chicken tractor KT had been asking for.  read more »

Hello all. I just found this site, I really like it! I have 4 RIR pullets, 2 weeks old, and spent all day yesterday building my chicken coop. It's out of an old kids playhouse in my backyard. I thought the playhouse would be a better idea than a new construction coop that the neighbors would have to look at every day.  read more »