How to Make Your Chicken Coop Smarter

Upgrade your chicken coop with “smart” technology to save time and simplify care of your feathered family! Similar to labor saving Smart Home tech options for humans, there are “smart” technology products available to make your chicken coops “smarter” resulting in quicker and easier care of your poultry.

Tech enabled devices abound to streamline daily chicken chores. Make-your-chicken-care-easier options include AI-enabled systems to monitor chicken health and egg laying, weather sensitive automatic chicken coop door openers, remote cameras to monitor your run and coop, smart lighting options that replicate natural daylight patterns, and programmable automatic waterers and feeders.

1. Automatic Watering and Feeding “Systems”

Use remote controlled waterers and feeders to assure error-free watering and feeding 24/7.

2. Weather-Sensitive Chicken Coop Doors 

Save multiple treks to your poultry coop by installing automatic chicken doors that close and open depending on weather and temperature, letting chickens in and out of the coop at specific times during the day.

The Manna Pro Harris Farms™ Automated Chicken Coop Door gives you peace of mind your flock will be let out and in the coop at optimal times daily enhancing their security and well being.

You can configure the door to operate on a light sensor, built-in timer, or a combination of both! The programmed coop door also saves you time and hassle in that you don’t have to be home at a certain time to manually close and open the coop. Hello sleeping in on the weekends and uninterrupted evenings! 

And that’s not all… The automated door offers:

• Easy installation
• 2 power options - by 4 AA batteries or by an electrical cord adaptor
  (cord and batteries are not included)
• Instant coop door “low battery” notifications so can immediately install new batteries
• Compatible for coop entrances 9 ⅞” tall and 8 ⅝ wide or smaller
• All components needed for quick installation: control box, aluminum door, door frame, and screws
• Weather flexible use spanning cold winters to hot summers
  Limited 1-year warranty
   

3. Automated Smart Lighting

Install LED lighting on sensors or timers to replicate normal daylight patterns that impact egg laying patterns and supply light for evening coop checks.

4. Nest Box Surveillance

Enjoy efficient fresh egg collection using nest box sensors giving instant notifications when eggs are laid.

5. Security Camera

Utilize cameras for predator identification and checking in on your chickens 24/7 even when you’re away at work or on vacation.

Smart Coop Checklist:

1. Electricity Source

A reliable electricity source is essential to power your coop smart devices.

2. WiFi Connectivity

Select Wi-Fi friendly devices compatible with your home network. 

3. Chickens’ Privacy

When placing coop cameras, be mindful of chickens’ preference for privacy to lay eggs in a quiet and dark place.

What is a chicken coop? 

A chicken coop is a building specifically created to give protection and shelter to chickens. The structure design functions to provide chickens safe haven from inclement weather and predator threats like hawks and snakes. Additionally, the coop is used by poultry to lay eggs and roost.

An ideal chicken coop supports a flock’s security, health, and productivity.

The coop can be a simple sturdy structure or the human equivalent of a mini mega mansion. For chicken coop ideas for small backyards, enjoy this YouTube episode on YolkTube by City Yolks. 

What do chickens need in their coop?

Chickens need a variety of coop elements to ensure their safety, optimal egg production, health, and well being. Basics include but are not limited to roosting bars, adequate ventilation, safe runs, nesting boxes, and absorbent bedding.

• Space. Chickens need adequate space to comfortably move about particularly during egg laying and feeding times.
   
• Ventilation. Optimal coop ventilation is critical for consistent fresh air quality, to prevent moisture accumulation, and to support keeping chickens healthy.
   
• Roosting Bars. Chickens habitually roost during nighttime, and the bars give a safe area for snoozing.
   
• Nesting Boxes. Individual boxes provide a comfortable and private space for hens to lay eggs.
   
• Protected Run. A protected run detours chicken predators and encourages chickens’ natural behaviors like foraging and scratching.
   
• Water and Feed. Clean water and nutritious mineral balanced feed is essential to support chickens’ health and egg productions.
   
• Temperature Control. Temperature regulation is needed to keep the coop comfortable for your flock. For example, in cold weather a safe heat source may be required or conversely in extremely hot weather a cooling option may need to be installed. 
   
• Cleanliness. A clean run and coop for your flock is vital for preserving a healthy environment and preventing disease.
   
• Lighting. Appropriate lighting is needed to support chickens’ egg production. Lighting can be a combination of coop windows for natural light and an automatic lighting system for additional light when needed.
   
• Enrichment Toys. Providing enriching toys are great boredom busters to help to keep your chickens entertained and happy.
   
• Bedding. Absorbent bedding aids in keeping the coop dry and clean.
   
• Secure Run. A protected run deters predators and encourages chickens’ natural behaviors like foraging and scratching.

Some excellent choices for lining a chicken coop to promote easy cleaning, absorbency, and a pleasant environment include hemp bedding, sand, and wood shavings.

• Hemp. Hemp is favored as a top bedding choice as it’s antibacterial, compostable, and exceptionally absorbent.
   
• Sand. Sand is a great choice for the coop run and dust bathing areas as it provides excellent drainage and is easy to clean. Wood chips and gravel can also be used to cover the run area to assist in drainage and deter mud accumulation.
   
• Wood Shavings. Wood shavings are particularly absorbent and an effective choice for a deep litter method. 

What is the Best Thing to Put in the Bottom of a Chicken Coop? 

Options for the chicken coop’s bottom can include simple to clean options like wood, linoleum, and concrete layered with absorbent bedding including hemp and wood shavings.

• Plywood. Commonly used for a raised floor coop that promotes air circulation to avert moisture accumulation.
   
• Concrete. Deters predators from digging underneath and is easy to maintain.
   
• Linoleum. An easy care waterproof choice that’s simple to clean and can be sealed to stave off moisture from leaking into the wood below.
   
• Rubber. A long-lasting option that’s easy to clean and protects the wood floor from moisture.
   
• Solid Wood Planks. A sturdy choice that is best used in a raised floor to prevent rot.

At Manna Pro we offer a full line of chicken coop essentials, supplements, and nutritionally balanced feeds to nurture all life stages of your flock. Manna Pro products are available at local farm and feed stores and online.

You’re invited to join Manna Pro on social media at @cityyolks, @YolkTubeByCityYolks, @mannaprohomestead, and @MannaProHomestead. We look forward to hearing from you and your flock!