Chicken Coop Buying Guide

In New Zealand, more and more people are getting wise to the fact that owning chickens isn't just the cheapest way to get eggs; it also provides the freshest, best-quality eggs in the most humane way.

Keeping chickens is easy and rewarding. It's also a fun way to bring the family together. Chickens make excellent pets, being the curious, quirky creatures that they are. They do a great job of generating high-grade compost and fertiliser, and can even weed your lawn or your vegetable patches.

Even though keeping chickens is a relaxing, low-maintenance activity, there are a few simple things to bear in mind. This guide will cover all the basics to make sure you do right by your chooks. They'll be sure to notice, and you'll be rewarded with lots of fresh, delicious eggs.

The chicken coop

The best chicken coops provide a spacious environment for chickens to sleep, lay eggs, feed, and generally feel at home.

Trade Tested offers chicken coops in two different, durable materials. Our wooden coops are made from high-grade, treated Russian fir that has been kiln dried for 72 hours, while our EcoFlex coops are made with a recycled polymer and timber composite. With sturdy materials, raised floors, and ample ventilation, you can ensure your flock is kept warm, dry, and protected from both the elements and from predators.

The run areas are contained within corrosion-free mesh walls, giving extra protection from pests and hungry intruders. All wooden Trade Tested coops have elevated henhouses with nesting boxes, which maximise the run space and offer chooks a shady outdoor area to escape the sun. Our coop designs focus on easy access to eggs and hassle-free maintenance.

Having enough floor space is important to a chicken. The SPCA recommends that you allow for a minimum of 2ft² per chicken. But if you want to make sure that you have the healthiest and happiest chickens, we strongly suggest that you leave a comfortable 3ft² for each bird.

The run

Consider where the chickens will strut around. Smaller coops are not designed to be 24-hour living spaces for chickens. Trade Tested's larger coops, however, have big enough runs to keep chooks happy and comfortable without feeling trapped.

If you want to give your chickens more space to explore, set up your own run with chicken netting or a poultry fence kit. A well-planned run can reap a lot of benefits. Roaming chooks will fertilise your lawn and garden by scratching and turning the soil, keeping it aerated. And they'll do an excellent job of keeping weeds under control.

The chooks

There are two main choices in choosing poultry as pets.

If your main reason for getting chickens is eggs, go for the brown shavers. These chooks are productive egg-laying machines; hens will lay an egg a day if properly cared for. They also have a gentle temperament and make great pets for kids.

Heritage breeds are a good choice for people whose priority is more chicken than egg. They won't lay eggs year-round and can be less tame than brown shavers, but they're big on personality.

Feed

It's best to feed your chooks a mix of kitchen scraps and commercial layer pellets. You should also feed them a small amount of finely crushed oyster shells, which provide calcium for strong eggshells and help them digest their food. Chickens don't overfeed, so if you make sure there's always a ready supply of food, they'll take care of the portions themselves. As a rule of thumb, we recommend feeding chickens 200 grams of feed per day.

A Chooketeria allows the chickens to feed at any time without assistance. The feeder closes when the chicken is done, keeping the food dry from rain and safe from rodents. Remember, the more chooks you have, the more competition they face when eating. Consider using the Chooketeria All-Rounder or more than one feeder to make sure that they all have a reliable and healthy food source.

Chickens also drink a lot of water, so it's really important to make sure they always have a fresh supply. This should be changed daily.

Maintenance

Trade Tested's chicken coops are easy to clean. Nesting boxes are fitted with a removable tray that should be taken out and cleaned several times a year. The run areas can be cleaned less frequently. Sweep the chicken coop out, wash it with a high-power hose, leave it to dry, and put in some clean shavings. You should never let your coop get smelly.

Mite-killing sprays such as Poultry Shield are excellent for maintaining a healthy chicken coop. A red mite infestation can be a real pain. It's best avoided by spraying your coop each time you clean it.

New hens and pecking order

Chickens are conservative creatures of habit and live by a strict pecking order. They get stressed out when the pecking order gets disturbed, which happens when new chickens are introduced to the brood. A certain amount of conflict is necessary to establish a functioning chicken society, but you want to make sure things don't get out of hand.

When introducing new chickens to the flock, it's best to introduce more than one at a time. Introduce new chooks to the existing brood in stages. Start by putting the new hens within sight of the old ones, but keep them physically separated with a mesh fence or a different enclosure. When you first put the new hens in the chicken coop, do it at night (they don't like to fight at night) and put them directly amongst the original hens.

Don't interfere with a moderate amount of argy bargy, but if blood gets drawn, remove the injured hen and try again after the wound has healed. It's sometimes a good move to isolate the most aggressive original hen, then reintroduce her once all the other hens, old and new, have established a new pecking order.

Shop high-quality chicken coops at Trade Tested

A secure, spacious shelter is essential for a happy and productive flock. Give your pet chickens the safety and space they need with a comfortable chicken coop from Trade Tested. Our budget-friendly chicken coops are suitable for all backyard chicken owners; explore our full range of sizes today!

Either send us an emaill or give us a bell during office hours on 0800 800 880.

Our customer testimonials

“A well-thought-out, easy-to-build chicken house! The girls look so comfortable and have plenty of space.”

“This coop is so well designed and just clicks together. Easy instructions to follow. Definitely recommend this coop.”

“Very happy with the coop, good size, very easy to clean, and our chicken is also happy with it.”

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to buy a chicken coop or build one?

Building a chicken coop can often be cheaper than buying one, especially if you’re reusing materials. However, it takes a lot more know-how and time to create a suitable coop that follows the requirements for housing poultry. You’ll need an enclosed rainproof chicken coop, at least 30cm of roost or perch per chicken, a roof height of at least 50cm, a pecking surface, and a secluded nesting area.

If you’re buying a chicken coop, you’ll usually still need to handle basic assembly, but the pre-set design and included manual make things a whole lot easier. Most Trade Tested chicken coops feature a built-in nesting box and chicken run, ensuring you stick to regulation and provide your chickens with the safe space they deserve, well worth the money if you’re looking for a quick and reliable setup!

How much should a chicken coop cost?

The price of a high-quality chicken coop can start from the hundreds, depending on the size. Trade Tested offers a wide variety of durable chicken coops, including smaller models for 2-3 chickens and more spacious shelters for up to 8 chickens. These chicken coops include a covered henhouse that offers protection from predators and poor weather, as well as an enclosed chicken run for secure outdoor roaming. They’re perfect for housing chickens as pets in busy residential areas.

Can I have chickens in my backyard in NZ?

Yes, if your home has a garden or a backyard, you’ll usually have enough space to keep your own flock! The exact requirements will vary depending on your local council. For instance, the Auckland Council allows you to keep up to six hens without permission, but you’ll need consent to keep more or any roosters. There are also requirements for how you should provide shelter suitable for your chickens. Check your local council’s site for more information.

Do chickens need a ramp to their nesting boxes?

This will depend on how high the henhouse is and the breed of your chickens, as some cannot fly as well as others. All of Trade Tested’s chicken coops include ramps for easy access, ensuring your chooks can rest well at night.

How far away from your house should you put a chicken coop?

Restrictions on where you place your chicken coop will depend on your local council. A flock of chickens can quickly get noisy, so it’s best to set up your chicken coop where it’s least likely to cause a nuisance to neighbours and yourself!