Building Chicken Coops
Practical Tips To Get Your Chicken House Project Started...
If you're interested in building chicken coops then let me tell you that it can be a fun and an easy project and here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Design
One thing to keep in mind is whether you want to have a fixed or a mobile chicken coop.
- Depending on your needs, whether you plan on moving or not.
- If you have lots of room in your backyard or not.
- And whether you'd like something that's really easy to put together.
Those are just a few of the things to consider when deciding between a mobile or a fixed design. There's actually a great article on what's better a fixed or a mobile design when choosing your chicken coop building plans, where you can get more specific pointers.
Location of the coop
Based on your available space in the backyard you'll need to choose a larger or smaller design. If you have less space, then a small chicken coop plan is what you need to get. On the other hand if there's plenty of space you'll have more plan options.
Location of the coop
Based on your available space in the backyard you'll need to choose a larger or smaller design. If you have less space, then a small chicken coop plan is what you need to get. On the other hand if there's plenty of space you'll have more plan options.
Number of chickens
When building chicken houses you have to consider the number of chickens you have and if you plan on having more.. The more you got, the larger your coop should be. You need to decide on your poultry size before you invest in a cage. A medium sized coop is enough for 6 to 8 birds. As building chicken coop plans is dependent on poultry size, the more chickens you have the bigger your coop will be.
Protection
Protecting your chickens from the outside environment and from predatory birds and animals is one of the main reasons for building a chicken coop.
Also providing enough sunlight and warmth is critical for laying hens. If you live in an area with lots of wild animals that could be a threat to your chickens. One thing you can do is cover the roof of the cage with nailed down wire to provide protection from all sorts of threats. I usually use quality materials while building chicken coops so I don't need reinvest in it for years to come and as well provide protection from other animals.
Building Materials
No matter what chicken coop building plans you select, the material remains same. The primary materials used are wood and chicken wire; both easily available near a local hardware store or right in your home. Using water resistant wood will prove helpful in damp and wet climate. I built my first coop which is based on small chicken house plan, as I had only 2 baby chickens. As the materials are readily available, I had my coop ready within hours. Of course, you also need your basic tools like hammer and nails.
There are plenty of resources out there available online in helping you with your chicken coop project.
