Allow 8 to 12 inches of roosting space per chicken along perches and bars. “If you are raising hens, nesting boxes are necessary,” Stoltzfus says. Chickens prefer to lay their eggs in quiet ...

As a baseline, it’s key that a coop is sturdy so it can keep your hens protected from harsh weather and potential predators. From there, you can deck it out with extra features and even get creative ...