The perfect layer chicken house design for an urban homestead is modern. This type of design features sleek lines, with natural wood and metal siding, and a variety of accessories. If you have limited space in an urban area or are looking for a more contemporary style for your chicken house, then a modern design may be just what you need. A modern chicken house can include features such as large windows, artificial lighting, recessed cages and other amenities to make your urban homestead look and feel like a full-fledged farm.Modern Layer Chicken House Design
Traditional layer chicken house designs take advantage of centuries-old materials and styles. Many of these designs are more rustic and feature wood-shingle or slate roofs. A traditional chicken house typically has a sloping roof that helps keep the chickens warm during the winter, and a perch and nest box for eggs. Most traditional designs also feature open-air corridors to allow the chickens to roam. If you prefer a more traditional look for your homestead, but still crave the modern amenities, then a traditional design may just be the right choice for you.Traditional Layer Chicken House Design
For an elegant, yet practical, layer chicken house design for your homestead consider a country-style design. This style of chicken house design emphasizes providing the chickens with plenty of room to move around, while also being able to look out onto the surrounding farmlands. A classic country-style layer chicken house can feature open-air corridors for the chickens to roam, plenty of space for roosting and perching, and various types of nesting boxes for gathering eggs. Additionally, a country-style chicken house can look great with a variety of decorative elements, such as shutters, lavender flowers, and a variety of wood stains and finishes.Country-Style Layer Chicken House Design
For large scale chicken keeping operations, a poultry layer chicken house design can be a great option. This type of design is typically large and can accommodate several hundred chickens. If you have a large farm and space to accommodate a large poultry house, then this type of design is perfect for your needs. Poultry layer chicken houses typically feature metal siding and roofing to help keep the chickens warm, elevated perches and nesting boxes, and open-air corridors for the chickens to move around. Additionally, because the house is so large, it typically features several types of roosts to accommodate different types of chickens.Poultry Layer Chicken House Design
If you prefer a more traditional, free-range style of keeping chickens, then a free-range layer chicken house design may be just the right choice for you. This type of design typically features a large single room for the chickens to roam, with a few roosts for sleeping and open-air corridors for the chickens to move around. Free-range layer chicken houses typically have large windows to help the chickens stay in natural light, and allow the chickens to move freely outside when the sun is out. If you prefer a more rustic design for your homestead, but still want the modern amenities like elevated perches and steel roofing, then a free-range layer chicken house may just be the perfect choice.Free-Range Layer Chicken House Design
For a more modern look to your layer chicken house design, consider a contemporary style. This type of design typically features sleek metal and wood siding, large windows, and bright colors. Contemporary layer chicken house designs can also feature artificial lighting fixtures and a variety of adornments, such as flowers and decorative bolts. Many contemporary designs also feature open-air corridors, so that you can provide plenty of space for your chickens to move around, while also looking great in a small-scale or urban-style farm.Contemporary Layer Chicken House Design
For a classic look and feel to your layer chicken house, then consider a homestead style. This type of design typically features wood siding and a variety of traditional furnishings. A homestead layer chicken house can include elevated perches and nesting boxes, open-air corridors for the chickens to roam, and large windows to help promote natural light as well as ventilation. Homestead layer chicken house designs can also feature several types of adornments and decorative elements, perfect for blending your chicken house into an elegant countryside setting.Homestead Layer Chicken House Design
If you are looking for a more natural look and feel to your layer chicken house design, then consider going the natural route. A natural layer chicken house can incorporate natural materials, such as stone and wood. Additionally, a natural layer chicken house design can also include several types of foliage and flowers to help promote a more natural feel to the chicken house. Such a design can also provide plenty of ventilation for the chickens, and plenty of space for them to roam. If you are looking for a more organic touch to your homestead, then a natural layer chicken house design can be the perfect choice.Natural Layer Chicken House Design
If you need a layer chicken house design that can be moved around easily, then consider a portable design. These types of chicken houses typically feature a lightweight frame that can be transported in pieces and quickly assembled. A portable layer chicken house design can also incorporate wheeled bases to help transport the house around your homestead. Portable layer chicken house designs can provide plenty of ventilation and roosting space, and are great for chicken keeping in a small-scale urban setting.Portable Layer Chicken House Design
For a unique touch to your layer chicken house design, consider a netted design. This type of design can easily create a unique look and feel to your chicken house. Netted layer chicken house designs can incorporate features such as steel mesh walls and ceilings, and brightly colored netting. Netted layer chicken house designs are great for maximizing the amount of light and ventilation your chickens get, while also giving them plenty of room to move around. If you are looking for a creative and elegant idea for a layer chicken house design, then a netted design may be the perfect choice for you.Netted Layer Chicken House Design
Setting Up Your Layer Chicken House Design
An A-frame layer chicken house is a popular choice for small farms and backyard poultry keepers. They have distinctive wide-span roofs and generally contain two or three tiers of open area. As the chickens grow they will need to be moved across the different tiers to enable better air circulation and more space. A-frame chicken houses provide the right blend of shelter, ventilation and space for five to twelve chickens in a relatively small area.
A-frame poultry houses provide a comfortable stable environment for chickens as long as the appropriate steps are taken in the design, building and setup processes. Taking care to design and build the structure in such a way that air can flow freely through it is key. This will ensure good air quality, help with ventilation and cooling, as well as reduce the risk of diseases.
Design Tips to Consider When Setting Up the Layer Chicken House
When building, it’s important to include windows, with full or part screens, in order to help warm the house in the winter and keep it cool in the summer. Make sure the size of the windows is not too big and the screens are reinstalled after winter, to keep out pests, birds, and wildlife.
Stocking density is another key factor when it comes to design. Beddings such as wood shavings should be two to three inches deep and changed regularly. Also it’s important to consider perches, nest boxes and an area dedicated to scratching.
And lastly, the nesting boxes for the chickens’ eggs should be kept on the lowest tier of the house, away from the perches. This will encourage the chickens to lay their eggs in the same place, making it easier to collect them.
Maximizing Light and Ventilation For The Poultry House
Any poultry house needs to be well ventilated with access points both at the bottom and upper level to make sure fresh air can circulate. It’s best to avoid positioning the house in the sun’s path, by taking care to plant trees or hedgerows close to it, as this will help keep it cooler in the summer months.
Good natural light is also important. It’s best to avoid electronic lights, as chickens need a specific light-dark cycle to keep their circadian rhythms in check. Ensuring your poultry house is well ventilated and well lit will help keep your chickens happy and productive.