Maintain a minimum indoor space of 3 to 4 square feet per adult bird, and 8 to 10 square feet in the outdoor run. Coops must have draft-free high vents positioned near the roof line to allow evaporated moisture and ammonia to escape, dry pine shavings or straw litter bedding (changed regularly), and elevated roosting bars (10-12 inches of bar space per bird).

Chicken wire is only suitable for keeping chickens in, not keeping predators out. Install 1/2-inch steel hardware cloth on all windows, vents, and runs. Dig a trench 12 inches deep around the coop perimeter and bury the wire mesh to prevent digging predators (foxes, raccoons, dogs) from breaching. Install heavy-duty sliding bolt latches to secure doors.

Backyard chickens require a balanced complete laying pellet (16-18% crude protein) for egg deposition. Supplementing with kitchen scraps and scratch grains (corn, wheat) should be limited to 10% of total daily feed intake to prevent obesity and shell softening. Provide free-choice calcium oyster shell and granite grit in separate feeders to assist mechanical ventriculus digestion.