Re: hen house design?

An old English textbook I have suggests that a box for egglaying should be
12 inches High by 12 inches Deep by 10 inches wide

so 300 mm x 300 mm x 250 mm

Yes it's best to be somewhat dimly lit. Cutting a hole in the side of you
dog kennel and affixing it so that entry is via their night-house-kennel
sounds good

Chickens like to perch about a metre high, in a normal height, say 2.4
metres high, shed

If their shelter is a convetrted kennel approx 1 metre high total then I'd
put the perch about halfway up

Chickens are happy to perch only one or 2 feet above the ground (300 to 600
mm) if circumstances need be

Flightlless varieties like silky-bantams only want to perch a few inches or
a foot or so above the ground, in my past experience

The converted kennel can be placed inside a small yard or "run" area which
is secure with wirenetting, including from overhead. this will keep out
predators including foxes which can sometimes climb up un-roofed fenced
areas

Your kennel-house might get too hot if exposed to the full power of the sun,
especially and depending on where you live and if the area is fully open and
exposed or has overhanging trees nearby giving partial shade

If necessary arrange for the kennel-house to shaded by something(could even
be "shadecloth" (aka weed-mat or windbreakcloth) a piece could be affixed to
the wirenetting overhead) and/or some greater ventilation could be cut into
the kennel

It is *unlikely* that the kennel will get too much sun and be too hot during
the night !

The gg-laying area should be warm enough and dry, but NOT stiflingly hot.
Remember the hen is choosing an area where she's thinking of sitting there
all day every day for a month to incubate her eggs (even though she'll never
get to that stage ! )

Be aware of possible "predators" in your area. Varies widely around the
world, foxes, racoons, polar bears, mischevious children depending on your
area.

best of luck

cheerio


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