If you have some extra backyard space, raising your own poultry comes with numerous benefits. One of them is having fresh natural eggs every day, which is similar to growing your own produce. These are far healthier for you than the eggs you can buy from the supermarket.
On top of this, having a few adorable chicks running around in your backyard can instantly brighten up your mood. However, if you want to raise chickens properly, you need to provide them with a safe and well-made home.
Why are Steel Chicken Coops Good?
While there are various types available, I recommend getting a chicken coop made of steel. The all-steel design is intended to be a low-maintenance, durable, fixed structure that is easy to clean and more sanitary for your poultry. The steel of these coops is UV protected and powder coated, while the mesh is wide enough for you to easily watch over your chickens. They have the SNAPTiTE assembly system, so they’re extremely easy to assemble, and come with a lifetime warranty. Read on to find out more about the benefits of these sturdy coops.
They’re Durable
While it is true that wood coops are inexpensive, they also don’t last long when exposed to the elements outdoors. The average timber coop has one to two years of useful life and requires coating and recoating to avoid damage. The metal chicken coop designs, on the other hand, can last for many years. If you want something to last, metal is the way to go.
They Don’t Rot
When left outside, all wooden coops will start to rot eventually. The only method to prevent this is to use chemicals such as paint, varnish, or preservatives. A decaying wooden coop is difficult to clean, relocate, and gives vermin access. If you ask me, this is not a favourable option. A powder-coated steel coop, on the other hand, leaves off no debris that flakes off for your fowl to ingest.
They’re Easy to Maintain
It’s important to frequently clean the chicken house. Otherwise, germs, dirt, and debris can pile up and get your poultry sick. Luckily, a metal coop is extremely easy to clean. The easiest approach to clean the metal is with a high-pressure hose because it does not retain moisture. After you clean it, leave it to air dry for an hour in the sun and you’re done.
They Repel Mites
One of the biggest worries for any chicken keeper is a mite infestation. Mites are extremely tough to eradicate and pose a health risk to your chickens. Mites reside in the little nooks and crannies that are found in wooden coops. Naturally, mites can’t prevail in steel chicken coops, thus your steel coop will be free of mites at all times.
They Have High Resale Value
A metal coop has a considerably better resale value than a timber coop since metal is far more durable. When you finish using a wooden coop, you will rarely be able to sell it, whereas steel coops look as good as new even after years of use, so if you ever decide to sell your chickens, you can sell the coop along with them for a good price.
How to Clean and Disinfect a Chicken Coop?
When cleaning chicken coops and nesting boxes, there are certain steps that you need to follow. You should clean thoroughly and only with natural cleaning products that won’t warm the hens. Here are five steps that I recommend you follow when cleaning your chickens’ coop:
- Clean all the debris, feathers, nesting materials, and bird droppings from the enclosure. This can take some time, depending on the coop’s size. Scrape off as much of the bird droppings as you can because they will not soften with water or a cleansing solution.
- Thoroughly clean the enclosure with a hose. Any dust and debris left over from scraping and shovelling should be cleaned up.
- Use a natural cleaning solution to disinfect the enclosure. Bleach is too harsh for animals to bear, and if it hasn’t dried entirely, it can be harmful to the chickens. Vinegar, on the other hand, provides similar cleaning characteristics without abrasiveness. Make a cleaning solution with equal parts vinegar and water and mop up the area for an all-natural clean.
- Thoroughly rinse the enclosure.
- Sweep away any standing water, but leave the coop and nest boxes to dry off naturally. The fresh air and sun will help to remove the remaining vinegar odour.
What are Other Types of Chicken Coops?
Chicken coops are made from a variety of materials. Apart from metal and wood, plastic is another popular option. All of these coop materials have their own pros and cons. Plastic coops are low-maintenance and easily portable, unlike the high-maintenance wood.
However, they absorb a lot of heat which makes the chickens feel uncomfortable, so they too pale in comparison with the advanced steel designs. If you’re looking for a coop that’s convenient for both you and your hens, don’t rush into purchasing before you consider the advantages and downsides of the chosen material!
