Building
A small building makes a fine chicken home. A good size is 10' x 12' as this is high enough for someone to be able to walk comfortably inside. The shelter must be waterproof, predator proof (most commonly from tunnel snakes), and well ventilated. Plenty of clean dry straw should always be provided for bedding, and wet and soiled bedding should be removed on a daily basis. Cleaning the entire building on a sevenday basis is recommended (i.e. scrub floors, walls, etc.). For protection from predators, chickens must be kept safely in their shelter at night. The shelter should be equipped with a chicken perch, as it will keep your birds healthier and cleaner. Chickens enjoy perching and will generally perch on the highest point possible, including large shelves or feed containers. Place the nest boxes in a draft-free area in back of the shelter, or wherever they are least likely to be disturbed. The boxes should be 14 inches square, one foot deep, and filled with an adequate amount of straw bedding. Nest boxes may be built from wood. Regardless of whether or not the chicken eggs are eaten, they must be collected on a regular basis. Eggs will eventually crack or spoil in the nest box, leading to unhealthy conditions for chickens.

Fencing
Fencing is necessary to keep predators out and chickens in. A five foot high fence is recommended, but a four foot fence will generally keep chickens in.

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