All our timber housing is made to order. We will book your order into production on confirmation and payment of order. Prompt payment avoids manufacturing delays.

Depending on workshop capacity orders can take 5 to 15 working days to manufacture. All our timber housing is built to kitset specifications for more cost-effective freighting. All kitsets are flat-packed and shrink-wrapped prior to dispatch. Each timber house is individually made and no two will be identical due to materials available at the time and small changes the workshop team might make over time. If you are wanting two identical houses, it's best to order them at the same time for a matching look. 

To keep our timber house pricing affordable and realistic, we use 12mm C-D grade structural plywood and rough sawn timber. The nature of this grade ply is that one side is high grade and the reverse side has possible minor blemishes. These can be knots, tiny splits, filler etc, and do not affect or compromise the functionality of the hen house in any way. The treatment process can also leave marks which will wear off over time. The high-grade side is put to the outside, so your hen house looks smart. Please have a look at our photos of our hen houses and you will see what the plywood and timber we use looks like. If you would like us to use A or B grade plywood, we can certainly look at this option for you, but it will add substantial cost (double/triple) to your hen house. We need to be mindful we are manufacturing hen and animal housing and need to keep these at an affordable price. Our workshop team build all our timber housing to a high standard within the limits of the materials used. If you require a super smooth finish to the interior of your hen house we recommend applying several coats of paint once you receive it or talk to us about an upgrade using dressed timbers and A or B grade plywood. We are happy to supply a thicker plywood floor but this will be at additional cost.

All timber is H4 treated and H3.2 for the plywood so your hen house can sit outside in our NZ weather. Our timber housing if maintained will last 15+ years or more.

Over time there is going to be wear and tear on all products that are placed outdoors and exposed 24/7 to the elements. Environmental factors play a huge part in reducing the life expectancy of any product whether manufactured of timber, plastic or metal. In some parts of New Zealand especially in places where there is greater exposure to weather with a higher salt content corrosion/weathering is going to happen faster.
Coastal/marine environments, extreme changes in temperature or a wet/humid environment are the main three factors that will speed up corrosion. We recommend that if you live in an area or suburb that is coastal or prone to sea breezes or salty air you regularly wash your galvanised corrugated iron or coloursteel roof with potable water. 
All timber housing will weather and go silver-grey  over time and timber can also move and split. We recommend reducing this and getting longevity from your timber hen house or coop that you give it a coat or two of paint. Regular maintenance is important. Oil moving parts.

Yes you are most welcome to paint or stain your hen house. We have seen some great paint customisations from our customers over the years! 😊
All timber housing will weather and go silver-grey over time. If you are not keen on this look we recommend that you give it a coat or two of paint. This will also make a huge difference with ongoing red mite control especially if you apply a couple of coats of paint inside the hen house. Regular maintenance is important, so you may wish to repaint or restain at some stage.

Very easy!
1) Read our clear, easy to follow assembly instructions.
2) 2 persons are required for assembly
3) Make sure the ground is level.
4) Set up the 4 walls (front, back and two end panels) and fix together.
5) Add the pre-built roof.
6)Finally add the floor panels.
We have pre-built everything for you. 
Essentially this is a FLAT PACK and not a KITSET!

If you prefer to have untreated timbers, we can look at building out of untreated timber and plywood. This again will add substantially to the cost. Please note we still need to put treated skids on the base.

The position and orientation of your hen house is also key to having happy hens. Direct the solid back wall of the hen house towards prevailing winds and rain. Ventilation is important, good air flow will reduce ammonia smells and help reduce the temperature in the hen house on hot days. Remember drafts are not favourable either - keep pop-holes and ventilation on the same side if you can. Sunshine is also key for good health and fertility in your flock so face your hen house north-west to catch morning and all day sun.

Remember, one nest box for every 4 to 5 hens is recommended. The funny thing about hens is that they usually all choose to lay in the same nest box, often all sitting on top of each other when it is laying time.

We highly recommend adding an enclosed run to your hen house. Our timber and mesh panels make up a secure enclosure that can either be open at the top or fully enclosed (recommended option). This offers your hens a safe and secure area to be outside their hen house that they can access when they wish to stretch their wings, scratch and enjoy some sunshine. Best of all, it offers you peace of mind that your girls are safe from dogs and other predators that can instantly decimate your flock (usually when you are not home!) Movable chicken fencing can be used to contain your hens; however, it is not predator proof.
We now also offer enclosures that can have a secure, bird-proof covered roof, making them ideal for biosecurity.

Clean your hen house regularly - monthly, every six months, or annually - depending on the number of birds (chicks or layers) and factors such as deep litter and external environmental conditions (wet weather).
When should you clean thoroughly?
1. Before adding chicks or pullets to a coop previously used by older birds;
2. After a disease outbreak, such as scaly leg, red mite, infectious bronchitis, or several unexplained deaths;
3. When droppings accumulate and the floor becomes damp, smelly, and attractive to flies and rodents;
4. At least once a year.

Use Appletons Poultry Safeguard to clean and disinfect your hen house. Apply it at the higher dosage rate to eliminate red mites. For ongoing mite control, we highly recommend the two-pronged approach: spray with Poultry Safeguard and dust the hen house with Appletons De-Mite Powder for lasting residual control. Consider using Banshee as a natural mite deterrent.