How to Ensure Proper Housing for your Kienyeji Chicken
Housing is required to keep chickens safe from predators, thieves, and unfavorable weather (rain, sun, chilly winds, and chilly nights), as well as to shelter egg-laying and broody hens. A good poultry house is essential for effective administration and output.
The basket system is the most basic and frequently most economical type of housing. Night baskets can be positioned in a calm, dry area of the home or a protected area of the farm, either on the ground or dangling from the roof. Depending on size, a night basket can accommodate 5–10 chickens.
- Choosing a Location for a Poultry House
- Resources Needed to Construct a Poultry House
- Poultry Runs
- Install Perches inside Chicken Houses
Choosing a Location for a Poultry House
The location should be dry and level, or the house could be raised off the ground. Nearby trees and bushes will offer windbreaks, shade, and protection from flying predators for nearby birds. To prevent hens from being disturbed at night by predators or thieves, the spot should be secured close to the home. To avoid having only the end walls exposed to the sweltering afternoon sun and wind, the end walls of a rectangular house should face East and West.
Resources Needed to Construct a Poultry House
Utilize inexpensive, locally accessible materials like clay bricks, thatch grass, off-cuts of wood, and reeds. To lessen the parasite burden, remove the bark from the wood. Sometimes parasites will lurk under the bark. Ventilation openings should be present on either side of poultry coops.
Also, a ridge or hole in the roof will provide light and sufficient ventilation, making it easier to operate within the home. Ensure the house is properly ventilated by wind without drafts (cold). Through proper ventilation, heat, humidity, and hazardous gases can be significantly minimized. High temperatures can result in mortality, decreased weight gain, a decrease in egg output, and poor shell quality. Little chicks may die from a combination of high temperatures and excessive humidity.
The residence must be easily accessible and cleanable to guard against the accumulation of parasites and disease-causing agents. To get rid of droppings and keep predators away, use elevated or slatted floors. Remove any sharp edges from the house to avoid potential harm to humans and birds.
Poultry Runs
A chicken run is a gated outdoor area of at least 25 square meters where fowl are kept and safeguarded from predators and thieves. Moreover, runs are utilized for watering, feeding, daily flock viewing, and egg collection. The walls are 2 meters high and can be constructed out of chicken wire, woven mat, or clay. Although rather expensive, a chicken run offers security to the animals. To save back on food expenses, let adult birds forage during the afternoon outside the run.
Install Perches inside Chicken Houses
Chickens need perches to roost on at night and during the day. Also, it lessens boredom, which can result in vices like fighting and pecking. When chickens are allowed to rest on the floor (in touch with litter), diseases and parasites may attack them. Five adult birds can roost on each one-meter perch.
The ideal perches are built from spherical, somewhat sized sticks. To keep parasites away, they should be treated with used engine oil or kerosene. The size of the perches should correspond to the bird's feet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the types of poultry homes and shelters differ depending on the available materials, the climate, and customs. Cost, durability, and usage should all be considered when choosing chicken housing.
Kienyeji Housing and Ventilation Tips
Constructing a Chicken House in Kenya: Simple Requirements
Buy Kienyeji Chicken Housing Manual and Get a Free Housing Manual
