Roosts and coop climate
Hens sleep on a bar and like 8 to 10 inches each. Good airflow up high matters more than heat. Most healthy hens handle cold well if the coop is dry and free of drafts.
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Roost bars and ramps
- Best for eight to ten hensPETSFIT square roosting perch
A freestanding perch frame about 55 by 40 inches.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for mixed sizes of birdsCuffUp wooden perch 2 pack
A large and a small roost bar in one pack.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for chicks in a brooderTonGass 16 inch bamboo perch
A small freestanding perch for young birds.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a step up perch in the runVehomy roosting ladder
A wooden ladder style perch.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for bored hens in a runVehomy ladder with swing
A wood ladder with a swing and a perch.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for older or heavy hensMetal coop ramp 39 inch
An adjustable metal ramp for birds that struggle with steps.
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Vent fans
- Best for a coop with no powerMARBERO solar fan kit
A solar panel and fan to move hot air out in summer.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for more airflow off griderifyng solar fan with two fans
A solar kit with two waterproof 5 inch fans.
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Thermometers
- Best for checking the coop from anywhereGovee H5179 WiFi thermometer
A WiFi sensor that logs temperature and humidity to an app.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a screen plus a phone logGovee H5075 Bluetooth thermometer
A small display that also syncs over Bluetooth.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a tiny sensor near the roostGovee H5074 mini sensor
A small Bluetooth sensor with alerts.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for reading the coop from the houseThermoPro TempAir wireless thermometer
An indoor display with a wireless outdoor sensor.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a cheap humidity checkTempPro TP50 thermometer
A simple digital thermometer and humidity meter.
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Winter heat
- Best for very cold coops and weak birdsCozy Coop flat panel heater
A 150 watt flat panel that is safer than a heat lamp but still needs a careful install.
Check price on Amazon â - Best for a panel with a thermostatHOPOCO radiant coop heater
A 200 watt radiant panel with a built in thermostat.
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Guides that cover this gear
Chicken Coop Fans: Solar and Thermostat Ways to Cool a Hot CoopHow to cool a hot chicken coop with a fan. Solar kits for coops with no power, thermostat fans for coops with an outlet and what fans can't fix.
Photo: âChicken Coopâ by rebecca.shiraev@sbcglobal.net, CC BY 2.0
Chicken Roosting Bars: How High, How Long and What to BuyHow many inches of roost bar each hen needs, how high and far apart to mount the bars, which wood to use and the roost gear worth buying.
Photo: âThe approach of the chickenâ by benketaro, CC BY 2.0
Chicken Coop Ventilation: How Much Air Your Hens NeedWhy a coop needs more fresh air than you think. How big your vents should be, where to put them and how to keep air moving without a draft on the roost.
Photo: Shadowmeld Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0
How Much Space Do Chickens Need? Coop and Run SizesThe real square feet per hen inside the coop and in the run. Plus roost length, nest boxes and a simple way to check any coop before you buy it.
Photo: Living Off Grid, CC BY 2.0
How to Winterize a Chicken Coop: A Simple ChecklistGet your coop ready for cold weather. Keep it dry and free of drafts, stop the water freezing and decide if your hens really need heat.
Photo: Liamkw, CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to Put a Chicken Coop in Your YardHow to pick the right spot for a backyard coop. Look for dry ground, morning sun, shelter from the wind and a short walk from the back door.
Photo: furtwangl, CC BY 2.0