Providing adequate housing and shelter for backyard animals
Ensuring backyard animals have safe, secure, and comfortable housing that protects them from weather extremes (heat, cold, rain, wind) and predators is crucial for their health and well-being. Inadequate housing can lead to stress, illness, injury, or loss of animals. Requirements vary depending on the species, breed, number of animals, and local climate.
- Ensure proper ventilation without drafts4
Incorporate vents near the roofline of the shelter, ensuring they don't create direct drafts on the animals, especially where they roost or sleep.
📌 diy4/16/2025, 10:32:54 PM
🛠️ Hardware cloth, vents (optional), tools
- Build or buy a predator-proof coop/hutch/barn5
Construct or purchase housing specifically designed for the animal type, focusing on predator security.
📌 diy/commercial4/16/2025, 10:32:54 PM
🛠️ Lumber, hardware cloth, screws/nails, latches, tools (saw, drill, wire cutters)
- Provide adequate space per animal5
Calculate the required square footage inside the shelter and in any attached runs based on the species, breed, and number of animals.
📌 planning4/16/2025, 10:32:54 PM
🛠️ Measuring tape, Species requirement data
- Protect from extreme temperatures (heat and cold)4
Design the shelter to mitigate local climate extremes. Provide shade and airflow for heat; offer draft-free shelter and deep bedding for cold.
📌 diy/planning4/16/2025, 10:32:54 PM
🛠️ Insulation (optional), Deep bedding (straw), Heated waterer (optional), Shade cloth (optional)
- Include necessary features: Roosts, Nesting Boxes, Hay Racks4
Equip the shelter with species-specific furniture like roosting bars for chickens, nesting boxes for hens, and hay racks for goats or rabbits.
📌 diy4/16/2025, 10:32:54 PM
🛠️ Lumber, screws/nails, tools
- Ensure easy access for cleaning5
Design housing with doors, roofs, or panels that allow easy access for regular cleaning and removal of bedding/manure.
📌 design/planning4/16/2025, 10:32:54 PM
🛠️ None during planning; hinges, latches for construction