A free range chicken house is almost exactly the same as standard chicken house. The one difference is that in a free range chicken house the chickens must have easy access to the outside. Usually the chicken house has free range flap – or series of free range flaps that run along the long length of the house – both sides.

These can be closed in bad whether and at night. The chicken house will obviously have a sturdy fence around it – at least 2 meter high – unless you plan on clipping your chickens wings – which is a real job if you have thousands of chickens. The fence should be dug in at least 40cm so as to stop snakes and rats coming in. The wire mesh should be small enough to stop rodenst and snakes. The poultry equipment that you need is no different – just remember that you cannot use chicken layer cages at all. The chicken breeds that are used for free range are also the same – although if there were African chicken breeds these would fair better! Small chicken houses in south africa are usually steel houses or steel structures. We are ofeten asked “who can build me a chicken house?” – my answer – google Chicken Shack Agencies – they make the best chicken house in Africa.