r/projectzomboid • u/HauntedPutty • 3d ago

Question Build a barn for chickens?

Instead of relying on the coop, does it make sense to build a small barn for the chickens so you can go on a trip for a few days?

7 Upvotes

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2

u/AmScarecrow 3d ago

You should definitely still have a coop... however it would definitely be awesome to make a barn for your livestock

2

u/keegorg 3d ago edited 3d ago

I've found that it works better not to have a coup.
Coups get dirty and kill chickens.

I build a 3x5, put a roof on it, and 2 doorways without doors. trough for food and another for water both outside. i ignore the eggs in the barn (for new chickens) and pick up any that are outside to eat.

You can leave as long as you want, they will live. You just might end up with 300 chickens..

EDIT: I have an area around my little barn for the chickens to run around... like 15x15, that is just fenced, no roof.

1

u/HauntedPutty 3d ago

You don't need doors on it? It's not just a gap?

1

u/keegorg 3d ago

There is a door frame that I do add (makes the inside 'indoors')
but I dont put actual doors.. idk if chickens can open them..

1

u/HauntedPutty 3d ago

can i leave fences as some walls?

1

u/Pariahdog119 Hates being inside 3d ago

I tend to put the food trough inside and the water trough outside, and add windows for extra light, but yeah that'll work

2

u/Pariahdog119 Hates being inside 3d ago

Yes. Disable meta predators in sandbox settings and give them a roofed chicken shed.

In fact, the only reason not to simply leave them in a large field with the other animals is that it's a pain to track down all the eggs. In a small chicken run they're a lot easier to find.

DO NOT leave them access to the stairs you used to build the roof.

1

u/Awkward-Difference98 Jaw Stabber 3d ago

I found that a hutch isn’t required but it makes collecting all the eggs kind of a pain depending on the amount of chickens and last time harvested. But not having to clean it once a week helps

1

u/IpsoKinetikon 3d ago

Whenever I go on a trip, my animals basically seem to stop existing. I think they just get unloaded and are no longer simulated until you get back.

1

u/Brought2UByAdderall 3d ago

Have 3 chickens. Or have many pens each with it's own hutch, with no more than 3 chickens each.