This resource has been fully reviewed and updatedA member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s staff has given this resource a full review and provided updates where necessary. by a member of The Open Sanctuary Project’s staff as of August 20, 2026. It was originally published on January 7, 2020.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Given the increased risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in recent years, chicken living spaces should be designed with HPAI protection in mind. Be sure to learn about how this disease is transmitted and take steps to create living spaces that include protective measures. As the risk in your area changes, your residents’ living spaceThe indoor or outdoor area where an animal resident lives, eats, and rests. may need to provide more protection than it currently does. Planning ahead and considering how you would increase the level of protection the living space provides, should you need to enact enhanced biosecurityMerck Veterinary Manual defines biosecurity as ”the implementation of measures that reduce the risk of the introduction and spread of disease agents [pathogens].” measures, can help you respond quickly to an outbreak in your area. Please check out our detailed resource on HPAI for more information about transmission and how the living spaces you provide can reduce your residents’ risk of exposure.

Like most animals, chickens need an indoor shelter to keep them safe and comfortable, as well as ample outdoor space in which to roam, relax in the sun, and dust bathe. One sanctuary’s chicken living spaces might look quite different from another’s, but there are some important things to keep in mind when considering chicken resident housing. Also note that differences in the care large breedDomesticated animal breeds that have been selectively bred by humans to grow as large as possible, as quickly as possible, to the detriment of their health. and non-large breedA domesticated animal breed that has not been specifically engineered to grow as quickly as possible for the purpose of human consumption. In resources at The Open Sanctuary Project, "Heritage" breeds of turkeys, for instance, are "non-large breed", even if they are physically quite big. chickens need can impact the type of housing they require. You can read more about the unique needs of large breed chickens here.

Who Are We Talking About When We Say “Large Breed Chickens?”
We use the term “large breed” to refer to Cornish crosses and other chickens who have been bred to grow quickly – not as quickly as Cornish crosses, but quicker than other breeds – and are typically marketed as “free-range broilers.”  As a group, they are often called “colored hybrid broilers” but include many different Trade names such as Freedom Ranger, Red Ranger, and Kosher King. Though other breeds of chickens, such as Orpingtons and Jersey Giants, are sometimes raised for their flesh, they do not face the same inherent challenges as Cornish crosses and chickens who fall into the category of “free-range broilers,” and are not who we are referring to when we say “large breed.”

While predators can be a concern for mammalian residents, chickens and other bird species are particularly vulnerable to predation, making it crucial to keep predator-proofing at the forefront when designing both indoor and outdoor spaces. 

In addition to the considerations discussed below, we recommend checking out our resource on animal-centered design and finding ways to incorporate this into your design process!

Keep It Safe!
If you are bringing new chickens into your life, you also need to ensure that you have an appropriate quarantine space to keep you and your existing residents safe!

Indoor Living Spaces For Chickens

Sharing Your Home With Chickens
This section is geared toward settings where chicken residents have their own housing that is separate from their human caregiver’s dwelling. While some of the information in this resource can certainly be applied to settings where chickens spend time in their caregiver’s home, that living arrangement involves additional considerations not covered below. For more information on caring for chickens inside of your home, check out our resource Sharing Your Home With Chickens. 

Chickens require access to indoor living spaces to ensure their comfort and safety. A barn, shed, garage, or similar structure can make a suitable indoor living space for chickens so long as certain guidelines are followed.  

The indoor space must:

• Provide robust protection from predators
• Provide enough space for normal activity and healthy social dynamics
• Be able to maintain a safe temperature and provide proper ventilation year-round
• Provide opportunities to exhibit natural behaviors
• And particularly for large breed chickens, provide appropriate traction and be easy on the feet and joints

Up next, we’ll look at some of the various components and considerations for indoor living spaces.

Predator-Proofing

Chickens are prey animals and are very vulnerable to predation, especially overnight. Therefore, a critical aspect of chicken care involves protecting them from predators, and the housing you provide plays a major role in accomplishing this. To provide your residents with robust predator protection, it’s important to start by considering the predators in your area so you can ensure you are taking appropriate measures to protect your residents. No matter where you live, predation is a real concern that must be taken seriously – just because you have not seen or heard about predators in your area does not mean they are not there. If you care for chickens, you absolutely must work under the assumption that there are predators in your area. 

While diurnal predators certainly pose a threat to chicken residents, the period from dusk to dawn poses a particularly significant risk. Some predators are primarily nocturnal, but other species may adapt their behavior to avoid humans, coming out during the nighttime hours, which are often devoid of human presence. Additionally, chickens do not see well in the dark, making them much more vulnerable to predators overnight. For these reasons, chicken residents should be closed inside a fully predator-proof indoor space before dusk, and they should not be let out until it is light out. Please check out our resource Predator-Proofing For Bird Residents to learn how to create predator-proof living spaces and for tips on other measures you can implement to protect your residents. Gaps as small as a US quarter could allow certain predators to gain access to your residents, so careful construction and/or fortification of living spaces is imperative.

Rats
In addition to the typical predators that may come to mind, you also need to protect the chickens in your care from rats. Rats can mortally injure chickens by biting them as they sleep and are often one of the biggest risks to chicken residents, so be sure to take necessary precautions to deter them. Do not wait until you see rats to take steps to protect your residents! You can read about compassionate wildlife practices, including compassionate tips for deterring rats, here.

Check out this lovely visual starter guide on chicken predator-proofing topics from our friends at P.E.A.C.E. Canada!

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Size

It’s important to provide your chicken residents with enough space, but how much space is enough? There are many factors to consider when determining how much space individuals need, so unfortunately, there is no magic number we can offer. While there are plenty of recommendations out there about how much space chickens “need,” many of these recommendations are coming from people who, even if they genuinely enjoy caring for chickens, still view them as a commodity. And what does “need” even mean? At a sanctuary, we should consider what residents need to thrive, not just survive.

When considering how much space your residents need to thrive, you need to understand the species in general, as well as the unique individuals in your care. Depending on each individual and the dynamics of the flock, general recommendations offered online or even those offered by established sanctuaries may not be adequate. It’s also important to consider your climate and how much time you anticipate residents spending indoors. For example, in colder climates, particularly where residents may need to be restricted indoors for their safety, you’ll need to make sure they have enough indoor space for normal daytime activities. In this situation, chicken residents will likely require more indoor space than in settings where the climate is more temperate and residents are primarily using indoor spaces for sleeping. However, a very large space, especially one with a high ceiling, can be harder to keep warm in cold weather than a smaller one, so determining the most appropriate size can be a bit of a balancing act.

A few sanctuaries offer guidelines for the bare minimum amount of space chickens need, but keep in mind these are minimums and may not reflect the amount of space they strive to provide for their residents. It’s also important to note that, in addition to offering minimum size recommendations, these sanctuaries emphasize that you must take social dynamics, resident health, and other factors into consideration.

• Chicken Run Rescue’s Recommendations for Municipal Regulations for Urban Chickens (which is in the process of being revised) recommends a minimum of 4 square feet of floor space per bird. 
• Farm Sanctuary’s 2018 Farm AnimalA domesticated animal that is used by humans either for their body or what comes from their body. Farmed animals have fewer regulations governing their welfare than other species in many countries. Care Conference materials recommend a minimum of 5 square feet per bird for non-large breed chickens and a minimum of 8-10 square feet per large breed chicken.
• United Poultry Concerns’ Providing a Good Home For Chickens recommends at least 8 to 10 square feet per bird.

Use these as a starting point, but remember that there are many factors to consider when determining the amount of space needed to keep your residents comfortable and happy. An individual’s age, breed, health, and activity level can impact the amount of space they require, as can flock dynamics and your climate. 

Flooring And Bedding

When considering what type of flooring is best for your residents, keep in mind that flooring that is adequate for most non-large breed chickens may not be appropriate for large breed chickens, bigger non-large breed chickens, or individuals with mobility issues. For these individuals, you must ensure their flooring provides appropriate traction and is easy on the joints. 

Additionally, when considering flooring options for indoor living spaces, you must factor in the degree of predator protection they provide. Concrete, wood, and packed dirt are common types of flooring used in chicken living spaces. Each type of flooring comes with its own pros and cons and may require modifications to make it appropriate for your residents.

Also, Keep Cleaning In Mind
In addition to considering a flooring option’s ability to protect against predators and provide appropriate traction and cushioning, you should also think about how easily it can be cleaned and disinfected.

Concrete provides good protection from predators but, without modifications, it may not provide enough traction for some individuals, particularly for large breed chickens or individuals with mobility issues. The amount of traction concrete flooring provides is affected by how smooth or textured it is. A smooth concrete floor will not provide much traction at all, and depending on the type of bedding used, it could be far too slippery for some residents to walk safely. While a textured concrete floor will provide more traction, heavily textured concrete can be abrasive and cause damage to foot pads, putting residents at risk of developing bumblefoot. Some non-large breed chickens may do fine with a slightly textured concrete floor so long as it is topped with an appropriate amount of bedding, but for large breed chickens, concrete flooring may be too hard on their feet and joints.

To make concrete flooring more appropriate for large breed chickens or other chicken residents who need more traction or cushioning, you can lay textured rubber stall mats or interlocking foam mats on top of the concrete. While concrete is typically fairly easy to clean and disinfect (especially when compared to other flooring options), the addition of stall mats can make the cleaning process more difficult and labor-intensive. 

Wood flooring is another common option, particularly thin wood flooring that comes with certain prefab structures. Wood floors do not provide the same degree of predator protection as concrete because they can be chewed through and may warp or rot over time, creating breaches that predators can enter through. Wood floors can be fortified with sheet metal or hardware cloth, but will require close observation and routine maintenance to ensure continued protection. In addition to concerns related to predator-proofing, wood floors may also come with traction issues depending on the type of bedding used. Traction can especially be an issue when wood floors become wet. Wood floors can also be more difficult to clean and disinfect than concrete.

Dirt flooring can provide good traction and can be easier on the feet and joints, but, on its own, will not provide any protection from digging threats. Therefore, it must be used in conjunction with other predator-proofing methods. Options include adding a thick layer of dirt on top of concrete flooring or another predator-proof barrier, or it can be used in conjunction with concrete trenching to prevent anyone from digging into the living space. Dirt floors are difficult to clean and disinfect, and the dirt will erode as the space is cleaned, so they require regular maintenance to keep floors even. The dirt can also become so firmly packed that it no longer provides much cushion. The regular addition of more dirt can help remedy this issue.

Regardless of the type of flooring used, chickens will also need ample amounts of dry bedding.  Straw, wood shavings, and hemp are common options. The use of straw carries an increased risk of aspergillosis, so it may not be appropriate depending on environmental factors and your residents’ overall health. If you opt for wood shavings, look for “low dust” or “dust extracted” types to promote healthy air quality. Aspen and pine wood shavings are popular options, but be aware that there is conflicting research regarding whether or not pine shavings are entirely safe to use around birds. Cedar wood shavings should never be used because they can cause severe respiratory issues.

Large Breed Chicken Bedding Challenges
In some instances, large breed chickens, particularly Cornish crosses, will obsessively eat their bedding. This tends to be more common with younger large breed chickens, and they often grow out of the behavior, but it can lead to serious cropA crop is a pouched enlargement of the esophagus of many birds that serves as a receptacle for food and for its preliminary maceration. issues (which can have fatal consequences if left untreated), so you must make modifications until the behavior subsides. If you find that large breed chickens in your care are eating their bedding, swap out the bedding for sheets or non-woven blankets for a period of time (and regularly launder them). This behavior is usually temporary, but be sure to watch closely when they are reintroduced to straw or wood shavings to ensure that they are no longer eating their bedding.

Perching And Nesting Opportunities

Instinctively, chickens want to perch up off the ground to sleep because this is what their wild cousins do to help protect themselves from predators. Because perching is a natural behavior for them, you must offer ample perching options for your residents. However, the way you provide this opportunity will depend on the individuals you care for. Many non-large breed chickens will do just fine with rod- or board-style perches or even a properly secured, sturdy branch. There is debate over what style of perch is best, so you may want to try out multiple styles and see what your residents prefer. Make sure that any perches you offer are sturdy and are made of materials that will not cause injury to a chicken’s foot. You also need to offer enough perching spaces for everyone to safely fit and for those who may want to avoid certain members of the flock to be able to do so. While some individuals may do well with and prefer high perches, not all chickens will be able to fly up to a high perch, and jumping down from a high perch may not be safe for certain individuals. Therefore, you’ll need to be mindful of how high you place perches and may want to opt for a mix of heights when placing perches in the space. Angled, multi-tiered perches work well for larger flocks, giving options in terms of height and allowing chickens to hop from lower perches up to higher ones (and vice versa). Additionally, the angled layout ensures those on higher perches don’t poop on the chickens sleeping on lower perches. 

Large breed chickens, as well as some bigger breeds or those with mobility issues, may not be able to use narrow board or rod-style perches and could be injured while coming down from a perch too high, but they will still need a way to sleep up off the ground. If you are comfortable using straw in your chicken living spaces, one option is to provide small, intact, rectangular straw bales as roosts. It is best to use straw that has been baled with twine rather than wire, as the wire can potentially cause injuries. Alternatively, you could provide a sturdy, slightly elevated platform or something similar. Whatever you use, make sure roosts are sturdy, offer appropriate traction and cushion, and do not have any sharp or abrasive elements that could cause injury or gaps where someone could get a foot or leg stuck. You also want to make sure the roosts are not so high that someone could be injured while jumping down from it. In addition to keeping roosts low, make sure the flooring and bedding combination around the roost offers plenty of traction and cushion for a safe landing. As with perches, be sure to provide enough elevated spaces for everyone to comfortably spend the night up off the ground, and keep in mind that these areas will become dirty quickly. Adding bedding to these surfaces can make daily cleanup easier.

Actively laying hens also need nesting areas – cozy nooks where they will feel safe laying and sitting on an egg. You can find nest boxes online or at your local feed store, or you can build your own. You want enough nest boxes so that hens do not have to fight over space, though you may find multiple hens choose to share a nesting box even if others are available. What works best will vary, but generally one nesting area per 2-4 hens is a good starting point. If you notice tension over nest box use, increase the nest box-to-hen ratio. Make sure nesting areas are free of any hazards that could cause injury and that they cannot be tipped over. Keep nest boxes filled with an ample amount of fresh bedding – this will keep hens comfy and help prevent eggs from breaking. 

Large breed hens may not be able to safely use nest boxes designed for other breeds of chickens. To provide nesting areas to these residents, some sanctuaries use straw bales to create ground-level nesting nooks (as shown in the graphic below). If straw isn’t a safe option for you, you could build nest boxes for your chicken residents, or you can convert a dog crate into a safe nesting space. Just keep in mind that nesting areas should provide a private and comfortable space for chickens, and must allow for easy movement in and out of the nook. They must be free of any materials that could cause injury, and must be secure and sturdy so that they cannot collapse or tip over if someone stands on top of them. To ensure residents are comfortable and will want to use them, fill these nooks with plenty of fresh bedding and clean them regularly.

Temperature Control And Ventilation

Ensuring the living spaces you provide keep your residents comfortable and protected from temperature-related illnesses is an important aspect of animal care. Experienced caregivers likely have a good idea of the temperatures in which their residents are comfortable, but it’s important to remember that some individuals may not be able to remain comfortable in the same conditions as other members of their species. An individual’s age, breed, feather condition, body condition, and overall health can affect their ability to tolerate certain temperatures. Therefore, you’ll need to frequently observe your residents for signs they may be too warm or too cold so you can make adjustments.

Insulated Living Spaces
In some cases, it may be difficult (or impossible) to keep living spaces comfortable if they are not insulated. Because insulated walls and ceilings can easily become rat habitats, insulation should be installed thoughtfully to prevent rats and other wildlife from gaining access to it (similarly, residents should not be able to access insulation). One way to do this is to sandwich foam board insulation between layers of galvanized hardware cloth (or a similarly impervious material) to keep rodents from chewing or accessing it. In a structure with wooden walls, this means each wall might consist of the following: the interior wooden wall, galvanized hardware cloth, foam board insulation, another layer of galvanized hardware cloth, and then the exterior wooden wall. Never leave insulation exposed. Especially in colder temperatures, rodents will create a cozy home inside your insulated walls if they can!

Warm Weather Considerations

While some individuals will have a lower threshold for how much heat they can handle, it’s important to note that chickens are more vulnerable to heat-related issues in temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.7 degrees Celsius) and that as humidity rises, the temperature at which a chicken is likely to develop heat-related illness lowers. Therefore, the most dangerous times for chickens are periods of high humidity and high temperatures. While any chicken can develop heat-related illness, large breed chickens tend to be especially sensitive. Be sure to watch residents closely for signs they are too warm, which include open-mouth breathing and holding their wings away from their bodies.

When the weather is warm, steps should be taken to ensure residents can stay comfortably cool indoors. This may be accomplished by doing the following:

• Encourage airflow. Depending on your climate and cooling system, opening doors and windows to allow a breeze to come in can help keep the space cool. However, be sure to keep predator-proofing in mind. A simple screen is not enough to keep predators out. Unless windows are covered with hardware cloth, they cannot stay open overnight (you can read more about this here). Installing industrial exhaust and circulating fans can also help keep living spaces cool and keep air flowing (electrical devices should be used with care – you can read more about electrical safety for animal sanctuaries here). 
• In dry climates, promote evaporative cooling. Using water misters in conjunction with circulating fans can help keep indoor spaces cool. Basic mister kits can be attached to hoses connected to a nearby spigot, but there are also more serious systems that can be permanently installed. When using water misters, keep an eye out for resident spaces getting too wet. You may need to spot-clean areas near the mister more regularly. Similarly, an evaporative cooler (sometimes called a swamp cooler) can help cool the space. Please note that these options might not be appropriate in all climates.
• Provide lots of cool drinking water. Depending on how you are providing water, you may need to change it out more often to avoid water becoming warm, which could result in residents drinking less. Be sure to have lots of water available in the area(s) where residents spend most of their time.
• Block direct sunlight as much as possible. If the indoor space has doors on multiple sides, you might want to adjust them throughout the day so that direct sun is blocked, while still allowing for airflow. Similarly, you may want to install shutters or shades on windows to keep the hot sun out. 

Cold Weather Considerations 

While hot and humid weather is particularly dangerous for chickens, they are also vulnerable to cold temperatures (you can read more about caring for chickens in extreme cold weather here). Some chickens will be more sensitive to the cold than others, so it will be important to pay close attention to your residents to determine what temperatures keep them comfortable. Signs a chicken is cold include puffed-up feathers and shivering. In addition to considering their comfort, you also need to consider the risk of frostbite and hypothermia in temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius).

Adequate Ventilation Is Key!
Proper ventilation is imperative year-round, but maintaining appropriate ventilation can be challenging in the winter, when spaces are typically more closed up to keep residents warm. Without proper ventilation, spaces can become too humid and wet, and ammonia levels can rise, putting residents at risk of dangerous respiratory infections. Humid indoor conditions can also put residents at an increased risk of developing frostbite. The key is to allow for ventilation without creating a draft (cold air blowing directly on residents). The use of an appropriately sized exhaust fan(s) placed high in the space can help achieve this. You can even use a humidistat so it turns on and off as needed. If you notice that the ceiling or walls are developing condensation, this is a serious sign that the space is too humid!

When the weather is cold, steps should be taken to keep indoor spaces warm, which may include the following: 

• Eliminate drafts in the living space (while still allowing for ventilation). Before the cold weather hits, it’s a good idea to check out resident living spaces, looking for gaps that would create a draft. During cold weather, keeping doors fully or partially shut (ideally, closing doors that face the prevailing wind) will also help keep the space warmer and prevent a draft. To allow residents to come and go as they please while still reducing a draft, some folks use thick plastic strip curtains (like those used in warehouses or walk-in coolers) to block the wind. The use of Dutch doors or smaller chicken-sized doors can also allow residents to come and go while cutting down on drafts.
• Provide lots of clean, dry bedding. A thick layer of bedding can help protect residents from the cold floor, but make sure they can still walk with ease.
• Add a safe heat source, but keep electrical safety and fire safety in mind. If temperatures dip below freezing or are chilly and damp, you’ll likely need to add a heat source to keep residents comfortable, but this must be done thoughtfully. For folks in the design phase of creating chicken living spaces, consider if you can install radiant floor heating. If you must add heating devices to the space, ceramic wall heat panels or carefully installed, fully sealed, oil-filled portable electric radiators tend to be safer options. Heating devices must be used carefully, and you must ensure you do not overload your electrical infrastructure. If you have not already done so, please read our resource on electrical safety. If you opt for the electric radiator, make sure it is set up so that residents cannot come into direct contact with the unit. You must also ensure that the radiator is kept clear of any bedding and cannot tip over. Consider fully enclosing the radiator in a framed box, and possibly also elevating the system onto a sturdy platform, to ensure safety.

A Warning About Heat Lamps
According to Rutgers, heating equipment is the leading cause of barn fires and, of all heating equipment, heat lamps are the most common cause. As if that weren’t reason enough not to use heat lamps, some glass bulbs release polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as they heat up, which is highly toxic to birds when inhaled.

When temperatures are below freezing, you’ll also have to ensure your residents continue to have access to fresh, clean, unfrozen drinking water. You can read more about how to do this here.

Outdoor Living Spaces For Chickens

In addition to indoor spaces, chickens require access to outdoor spaces that can keep them safe while still providing the freedom to explore and perform natural chicken behaviors. 

When designing outdoor spaces for chickens, be sure to…

• Create a physical infrastructure that keeps residents safely contained and protected from predators
• Ensure residents have enough space to promote healthy flock dynamics
• Provide spaces that allow residents to engage in natural behaviors such as exploring, foraging, and dust bathing
• Provide ample opportunities for residents to cool off during warm weather

Another Reminder About HPAI
While we recommend designing living spaces with HPAI protection in mind, during HPAI outbreaks in your region (or during times when experts anticipate an uptick in cases associated with migration in your area), you’ll need to take additional measures to protect your residents. Because wild birds can transmit this (and other) diseases, sometimes the only way to properly protect your residents will be to fully exclude wild birds, as well as their feathers and droppings, from your residents’ living space. If your outdoor spaces do not already do this, be sure to plan for how you would accomplish this. Otherwise, you may need to restrict your residents to their indoor space for extended periods during times of high risk. Again, please check out our resource on HPAI for more information about steps you can take to protect residents from exposure to HPAI.

Up next, we’ll discuss important considerations for outdoor living spaces.

Predator Protection In Outdoor Spaces

It is important to keep predator protection in mind when creating an outdoor space and to consider the types of predators in your area. A fully enclosed aviary will protect against a wide variety of predators, including aerial predators and those who climb or jump, and the inclusion of a buried footer can help deter digging threats. If you opt to simply fence in the space, keep in mind that some predators, such as coyotes and foxes, may be able to jump or climb over fences depending on their height and construction, and residents will also be vulnerable to aerial threats. Be sure to take this into consideration when determining the most appropriate outdoor infrastructure to use. You can read more about providing safe outdoor spaces for avian residents here. 

Size And Type Of Space

Just as we don’t have a set recommendation for the amount of indoor space chicken need, we also cannot provide a specific recommendation for outdoor space that is guaranteed to work universally. While the old adage “more is better” generally applies here, the type of space provided is also very important. A large barren space will not have the same positive impact on your residents’ well-being and flock dynamics as one that is perhaps smaller but offers lots of variety and ample opportunities to express natural behaviors. Chickens like to explore, scratch in the dirt, dust bathe, relax in the sun, and forage, so their outdoor space should accommodate these desires.

Though many people picture chickens living in open pastures, they are descendants of red junglefowl who, as their name suggests, live in the jungle. Keep this in mind when designing the outdoor space. Ideally, the outdoor space will provide both sunny and shady areas, as well as areas with tall vegetation to hide in and explore, and dirt areas to scratch in. Familiarize yourself with plants that are toxic to chickens, and be sure to remove them from the outdoor space. You can read more about plants that are toxic to chickens here. Get creative with the space and add chicken-friendly plants that will add to a jungle-like environment. Certain varieties of bamboo, roses, evergreens, herbs, and fruit trees can be great additions to the space, as can the addition of logs, boulders, and other climbing structures.

Remember that in addition to creating a dynamic space, you must also be committed to maintaining it. Through their natural scratching and foraging, chickens can turn grassy areas into barren patches of dirt over time, and this is especially true if the space is small. Be prepared to reseed/replant as needed.

Additional Considerations For Roosters
There are a great deal of misconceptions, stereotypes, and stigmas around roosters, which have caused them a great deal of harmThe infliction of mental, emotional, and/or physical pain, suffering, or loss. Harm can occur intentionally or unintentionally and directly or indirectly. Someone can intentionally cause direct harm (e.g., punitively cutting a sheep's skin while shearing them) or unintentionally cause direct harm (e.g., your hand slips while shearing a sheep, causing an accidental wound on their skin). Likewise, someone can intentionally cause indirect harm (e.g., selling socks made from a sanctuary resident's wool and encouraging folks who purchase them to buy more products made from the wool of farmed sheep) or unintentionally cause indirect harm (e.g., selling socks made from a sanctuary resident's wool, which inadvertently perpetuates the idea that it is ok to commodify sheep for their wool).. So if you are caring for roosters, it’s important to dismantle these false narratives and work to care for them in a way that accommodates who they truly are. You can learn more about dismantling rooster stigma here. Housing multiple roosters, depending on who they are and how they are housed, may involve some additional special considerations. For example, contrary to common belief, many roosters can coexist in rooster-only flocks, and you can read more about that subject here. If you house multiple roosters in separate flocks in close proximity, you may need to take additional measures to separate their living spaces and keep everyone safe. This includes potentially using visual barriers so that roosters do not fight each other through shared fencing, which can cause them substantial injury and stress.

Opportunities To Dust Bathe

Chickens need a place to dust bathe, as this is a natural behavior and one that helps keep them healthy by helping to prevent external parasites. Their outdoor space may naturally provide spaces to dust bathe, but during periods of rain or snow, you may need to provide a man-made dust bath. This can be something you build, or you can buy a shallow sandbox, kiddie pool, or something similar – just be sure it’s something your chicken residents can safely get in and out of and that it doesn’t have any sharp edges that could cause injury.

If possible, it’s helpful to keep dust baths in a covered outdoor spot or to use something that can be covered with a lid or tarp when needed to keep the contents dry. Due to potential issues with air quality, it’s usually best to keep dust bathing restricted to the outdoors. Depending on your soil type, you can fill the dust box with dirt from your yard (as long as disease transmission is not a concern) or store-bought topsoil. The contents should be loose – if your soil is more clay-like or overly hard, it may be best to purchase topsoil. Never fill dust boxes with anything that contains fertilizer. 

Opportunities To Cool Off In Warm Weather

In addition to making sure their indoor space stays comfortable during warm weather, you should also incorporate ways for them to cool off in their outdoor space. Chickens should have shady spots to spend time in if they choose. If the space does not naturally provide this during some or all of the day, you can install shade cloths, tarps, or other materials to create shady areas. You also want to make sure they have access to plenty of cool drinking water outdoors (ideally kept in a shady spot). In addition to their drinking water, you can provide shallow bowls/pools of water for chickens to stand in, which can help them cool off. Just make sure that whatever vessels you choose provide adequate traction and are easy for residents to step in and out of. Round, rubber feeder pans sold at farm supply stores can work well for this purpose. Make sure you provide enough of these water sources for residents to use without having to compete for space.

In some settings, installing circulating fans on the outside of the structure (perhaps under the cover of a porch roof or awning) can give chickens another way to cool off when temperatures are high. You may also want to attach a mister to these fans to create even more cooling opportunity.

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Once you’ve got your residents’ space set up, be sure to keep it clean and properly maintained to ensure their continued comfort, safety, and health!

Article Acknowledgements
This resource could not have been created without the pioneering work and shared knowledge of compassionate chicken advocates including Farm Sanctuary and Triangle Chicken Advocates.

Interested In Learning More About Chicken Housing And More?
If this resource inspires you to learn more about chicken care, check out our free Basic Chicken Care courses here! Basic Chicken Care Part 1 (both full length versions, large breed-focused and non-large breed-focused) covers housing considerations in much more detail, in addition to feeding, safe cohabitation, and enrichment!

SOURCES:

Recommendations For Municipal Regulations Of Urban Chickens | Chicken Run Rescue

Non–Cornish Chicken Care | Farm Sanctuary*

Large Breed Chicken Care | Farm Sanctuary *

Providing A Good Home For Chickens | United Poultry Concerns

Cedar Chips and Pine Shavings As Bedding | The Spruce Pets

Identifying 14 Common Chicken Predators | Morning Chores (Non-Compassionate Source)

Chicken Predators: Your Chicken’s Worst Nightmare (Non-Compassionate Source)

Make A Dust Box For Chickens In Just 5 Minutes | Pampered Chicken Mama (Non-Compassionate Source)

*As of the publishing of this resource, the online care guide does not reflect the updated information provided to 2018 FACC attendees.

Non-Compassionate Source?
If a source includes the (Non-Compassionate Source) tag, it means that we do not endorse that particular source’s views about animals, even if some of their insights are valuable from a care perspective. See a more detailed explanation here.