Chicken house is all about luxury. After all, that’s what chicken needs.Most people view a second chicken house as an indulgence, not a need. But there are certain circumstances where the second chicken house can quite literally be a lifesaver for your flock. Here are the top three reasons why you should have a second chicken house for your flocks:
1. Second chicken house as chicks house
If you’re having your hens hatch and raise chicks of their own, having a safe place to house the little new flock away from the rest of the flock can save a lot of heartache. Mingling mother and chicks together with the rest of the flock may bring you some trouble. Mother hen will do her utmost to protect her chicks. But occasionally another hen will regard the babies as unwelcome intruders–and will attack. Just imagine the heartache of having your new baby chicks injured or killed by some other flock members .Give them time and space in a second chicken house–until the chicks are a few weeks old and better able to withstand a peck or two or to run, if need be, can be a lifesaver.
2. Second chicken house as a hospital house
If you have an injured chicken, possessing a place to be able to keep her separated during recovery can mean all the difference. It’s instinctual for chickens to peck at things, particularly when those things are red in color. For that reason they’re often driven to peck at a bare spot or a wound on a flock mate. For obvious reasons, this is not good. Having a second house as a recovering house will allow your wounded chicken to recover. Additionally, having your injured chicken in a separate space will allow you to administer medication.
3. Second house as a quarantine space
If you bring new chickens, having a second quarantine house will save you a lot of trouble. It will help in keeping your new flock which could bring illnesses or infestations into your own beloved flock. The last thing you want is for your soft heart to lead to the death or suffering of the rest of your hens. Even if it’s just a matter of dealing with mites or lice, it’s much easier to treat one or a few of the new hens than to have to treat your entire flock.
If you have no second chicken house, Use your small, starter house as your second chicken house and upgrade to a larger one as your main house.