If you want to know about how to build a chicken coop, then you are absolutely not the only one who wants to know about this. It is a fact that many people are interested in building chicken coops in their backyards these days. With a good plan and effective materials (don't have to be expensive as well), then you will be able to build a chicken coop by yourself and your chickens can be safe and happy inside that coop.
Your chickens must be well protected
Your chickens need to be well protected from hungry predators. Besides, they need to be well protected from any bad weather conditions as well, such as, snow, rain, or heat. This is the reason why selecting the location of the coop is considered to be very important. Normally, a high and well drained area is highly recommended for you to build a chicken coop. In addition, you need to make sure that the coop can receive the sunlight directly. So, the coop can dry faster when it does rain.
When it comes to the heat, then proper ventilation is considered to be the key to help your chickens from this problem. When you are thinking about building doors and windows to the coop, sliding doors and windows are considered to be your good option in this situation as well.
Do not forget about the maintenance
When you learn about how to build a chicken coop, just keep in mind that the coop you build should be easy for you to take care of since it is possible that your chickens may be attacked by some diseases and sickness. So, the coop should be big enough for you to easily access in order to be able to clean it more often. Actually, there are some tricks that you can follow, so cleaning the coop should be an easy job for you. First, when it comes to the doors of the coop, you should push it to open, not pull it to open. Second, the floor of the coop should slope towards the door. When you are cleaning the coop with water, then it will automatically flow outside the coop.
The coop should be bright and warm
When cold weather hits, your chickens should be warm inside the coop. Well, there are also a few techniques to do so. First, the walls of the building should be properly insulated. This way, your chickens will be warm in the cold weather, and they will be alright in wet seasons as well. As previously stated, the chicken coop should be able to directly receive the sunlight. This is considered to be an easiest way to keep them warm in the cold weather.
Installing an electrical lightning system is also recommended. This way, you can see your chickens at night. Besides, this is also considered to be the heat source that keeps your chickens warm as well.
If you want to know more about How To Build a Chicken Coop properly, or you are looking for more tips, then CLICK HERE to find everything you need at no cost!
Sunday, March 27, 2016
How to Build a Chicken Coop - Facts You Should Know
All across the country, people are rediscovering how to build a chicken coop, and learning how to beat the recession by raising chickens - at home.
Urban Chicken Movement
It's true - something called an "urban chicken movement" is taking place in cities including Indianapolis, St. Louis, San Francisco, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Madison, Wis. Folks are petitioning their city councils and zoning boards to allow them to keep chickens (and sometimes roosters) on their properties - in the city.
Why would you want to raise chickens in the city? Fresh eggs are better, and chickens at home are part of the "back to earth" movement that is becoming quite popular in recent years.
If you've become interested in raising chickens in your backyard, you'll need to build a coop for them to live in. Building a chicken coop can be easy and cheap, but there are a few guidelines that you should follow. I've researched a few basic facts you should know to build your own chicken coops.
Common Sense
Common sense will go a long way - especially true when you're designing your own chicken coop.
Make it easy to clean. Like any outdoor animals, chickens produce wastes that will need to be removed and surfaces cleaned and disinfected. Make sure you have easy and unobstructed access to the interior. Build floors that are easy to hose out. One trick experienced builders use is to slope the floor towards a door or access hatch. That way, when hosed out, all debris and water flows naturally out - no extra labor required!
Build with materials that can withstand harsh environments, water, extreme temperatures and repeated cleanings. Steel, concrete, aluminum and heavy-duty plastics will probably hold up much better that plain plywood, chip board and drywall. Inexpensive vinyl windows are great for chicken coops - they're easily cleaned, and come in a variety of sizes. Corrugated steel roofs are cheap, almost indestructible and install very quickly.
Design
Always plan ahead when building your chicken coop. Make sure your design is easy to read and to calculate materials from. You should be building from a sketch or set of plans at the very minimum.
Space requirements are important - how many chickens will you be providing for, and how much room do you have to keep the birds in?How many chickens are you allowed to keep on your property? You may want to get this information before the construction begins.
If you're building in the city, you must be considerate of your neighbors. While it may be tempting to build as cheaply as possible, the aesthetics of your coop may be a real standout - in the wrong way. The last thing you want to happen is to aggravate your neighbors with a "hick barnyard" scenario in your backyard. Plus, the nicer and neater your chicken coop is, the more apt you'll be to take care of it - and your chickens.
Protect From The Weather
No matter which part of the country you live in - you're probably going to get some weather extremes. From excessive heat in the desert Southwest, to frigid and snowy winters in the Northeast, your coop must protect your chickens from all of the likely weather that can happen in your part of the country.
Your building should have proper doors and windows - doors and windows that open and close, and seal as well. For good ventilation, you should have screens that will withstand the animals and weather conditions. If you live where the winters are cold, you may want to face the front of the coop towards the South - for the sun's warmth during the winter will be a welcome relief to your chickens.
Insulation in the walls and ceiling can be crucial in hot and cold climates. Insulation will keep the interior temperature moderate and avoid the extremes that can damage and kill your birds.
Ventilation is also a real need and should be a part of your building plans. Ammonia and dampness from chicken waste can accumulate to harmful levels if not properly ventilated. And, the ventilation that you provide should be draft - free, that is, you don't want excessive air movement that could chill the chickens during a cold night. But, you do need to effectively ventilate your coop.
Plan to build on well-drained soil. Puddles and permanent wet spots combined with wastes from the birds can contribute to a very un-healthy environment.
Even if you live in the city, you'll need to make your chicken area predator-proof. Dogs, cats, raccoons and other carnivorous animals will see your chickens and their eggs as tasty treats - and will attack them if allowed. That's why good doors and windows that seal are a definite must to protect your chickens.
Give them Light
As mentioned above, locate the coop with windows pointed towards the South, so that radiant energy from the sun can be absorbed and used to help heat the building. Even in cold climates, the chickens will generate their own heat, but the building must be well-sealed and free from drafts when windows and doors are closed and latched.
For maximum egg production, electric light bulbs are a must. As the days shorten during fall and winter, egg production tends to drop off as well. An electric light bulb or two can keep your chickens "inspired" to keep producing eggs at a summertime level.
Food And Water
Commercially manufactured feeding bowls and watering troughs can do a great job of keeping your chickens healthy - assuming that you place them properly in the coop. Chickens really are a mess when it comes to eating - many people throw feed on the floor (in a small area) of the yard in addition to the feeders. Why on the ground? Chickens have an instinct to "scratch" for food - and if you don't allow for this instinct to happen, you may have big problems with proper feedings. Most commercial food manufacturers will give you an ideal dimension at which to place their feed bowl, but a good rule of thumb is to mount the food bowl at a height roughly equal to that of a chicken's back. That way, they can't scratch and spill food everywhere.
Same goes for the height of the watering bowls - chickens, like most animals, need a good source of clean drinking water. If you just have one or two birds, then a plain water bowl might make the most sense. For more birds, you may want to consider some type of semi-automatic watering system, where you fill a bladder or tank, and the water levels in the bowls are automatically maintained throughout the day.
Really, building a chicken coop isn't difficult at all. You just need to keep in mind these main points, and you'll have a successful venture on your hands in no time.
Cost? While many factors can affect what you'll pay in materials for your chicken coop, I've built then for $20 way up to $400 for real fancy buildings with lots of extras. Some of the best coops I've build started out as other peoples old ones - then I rebuilt and adapted to save money and make a better building.
Join the "Urban Chicken Movement" and raise chickens in your backyard! I WANT TO LEARN HOW [http://tinyurl.com/FreeOfferToday] to build a chicken coop - and raise chickens myself!
Urban Chicken Movement
It's true - something called an "urban chicken movement" is taking place in cities including Indianapolis, St. Louis, San Francisco, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Madison, Wis. Folks are petitioning their city councils and zoning boards to allow them to keep chickens (and sometimes roosters) on their properties - in the city.
Why would you want to raise chickens in the city? Fresh eggs are better, and chickens at home are part of the "back to earth" movement that is becoming quite popular in recent years.
If you've become interested in raising chickens in your backyard, you'll need to build a coop for them to live in. Building a chicken coop can be easy and cheap, but there are a few guidelines that you should follow. I've researched a few basic facts you should know to build your own chicken coops.
Common Sense
Common sense will go a long way - especially true when you're designing your own chicken coop.
Make it easy to clean. Like any outdoor animals, chickens produce wastes that will need to be removed and surfaces cleaned and disinfected. Make sure you have easy and unobstructed access to the interior. Build floors that are easy to hose out. One trick experienced builders use is to slope the floor towards a door or access hatch. That way, when hosed out, all debris and water flows naturally out - no extra labor required!
Build with materials that can withstand harsh environments, water, extreme temperatures and repeated cleanings. Steel, concrete, aluminum and heavy-duty plastics will probably hold up much better that plain plywood, chip board and drywall. Inexpensive vinyl windows are great for chicken coops - they're easily cleaned, and come in a variety of sizes. Corrugated steel roofs are cheap, almost indestructible and install very quickly.
Design
Always plan ahead when building your chicken coop. Make sure your design is easy to read and to calculate materials from. You should be building from a sketch or set of plans at the very minimum.
Space requirements are important - how many chickens will you be providing for, and how much room do you have to keep the birds in?How many chickens are you allowed to keep on your property? You may want to get this information before the construction begins.
If you're building in the city, you must be considerate of your neighbors. While it may be tempting to build as cheaply as possible, the aesthetics of your coop may be a real standout - in the wrong way. The last thing you want to happen is to aggravate your neighbors with a "hick barnyard" scenario in your backyard. Plus, the nicer and neater your chicken coop is, the more apt you'll be to take care of it - and your chickens.
Protect From The Weather
No matter which part of the country you live in - you're probably going to get some weather extremes. From excessive heat in the desert Southwest, to frigid and snowy winters in the Northeast, your coop must protect your chickens from all of the likely weather that can happen in your part of the country.
Your building should have proper doors and windows - doors and windows that open and close, and seal as well. For good ventilation, you should have screens that will withstand the animals and weather conditions. If you live where the winters are cold, you may want to face the front of the coop towards the South - for the sun's warmth during the winter will be a welcome relief to your chickens.
Insulation in the walls and ceiling can be crucial in hot and cold climates. Insulation will keep the interior temperature moderate and avoid the extremes that can damage and kill your birds.
Ventilation is also a real need and should be a part of your building plans. Ammonia and dampness from chicken waste can accumulate to harmful levels if not properly ventilated. And, the ventilation that you provide should be draft - free, that is, you don't want excessive air movement that could chill the chickens during a cold night. But, you do need to effectively ventilate your coop.
Plan to build on well-drained soil. Puddles and permanent wet spots combined with wastes from the birds can contribute to a very un-healthy environment.
Even if you live in the city, you'll need to make your chicken area predator-proof. Dogs, cats, raccoons and other carnivorous animals will see your chickens and their eggs as tasty treats - and will attack them if allowed. That's why good doors and windows that seal are a definite must to protect your chickens.
Give them Light
As mentioned above, locate the coop with windows pointed towards the South, so that radiant energy from the sun can be absorbed and used to help heat the building. Even in cold climates, the chickens will generate their own heat, but the building must be well-sealed and free from drafts when windows and doors are closed and latched.
For maximum egg production, electric light bulbs are a must. As the days shorten during fall and winter, egg production tends to drop off as well. An electric light bulb or two can keep your chickens "inspired" to keep producing eggs at a summertime level.
Food And Water
Commercially manufactured feeding bowls and watering troughs can do a great job of keeping your chickens healthy - assuming that you place them properly in the coop. Chickens really are a mess when it comes to eating - many people throw feed on the floor (in a small area) of the yard in addition to the feeders. Why on the ground? Chickens have an instinct to "scratch" for food - and if you don't allow for this instinct to happen, you may have big problems with proper feedings. Most commercial food manufacturers will give you an ideal dimension at which to place their feed bowl, but a good rule of thumb is to mount the food bowl at a height roughly equal to that of a chicken's back. That way, they can't scratch and spill food everywhere.
Same goes for the height of the watering bowls - chickens, like most animals, need a good source of clean drinking water. If you just have one or two birds, then a plain water bowl might make the most sense. For more birds, you may want to consider some type of semi-automatic watering system, where you fill a bladder or tank, and the water levels in the bowls are automatically maintained throughout the day.
Really, building a chicken coop isn't difficult at all. You just need to keep in mind these main points, and you'll have a successful venture on your hands in no time.
Cost? While many factors can affect what you'll pay in materials for your chicken coop, I've built then for $20 way up to $400 for real fancy buildings with lots of extras. Some of the best coops I've build started out as other peoples old ones - then I rebuilt and adapted to save money and make a better building.
Join the "Urban Chicken Movement" and raise chickens in your backyard! I WANT TO LEARN HOW [http://tinyurl.com/FreeOfferToday] to build a chicken coop - and raise chickens myself!
How To Build a Chicken Coop - 7 Powerful Tips for Planning and Building The Ultimate Chicken House
It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or you already know how to build a chicken coop like an expert, you must plan before any building or construction of your new chicken coop begins. This is a vital step for you and your chickens.
You need to offer humane, comfortable conditions for your birds, whether you're keeping chickens to give you eggs for the family, for pleasure, or as a meat source.
Your chickens want comfort with their surroundings, have good feed, clean water, sunshine, ventilation, and enough room to move around comfortably.
All this fluff and comfort is not just for your birds sake, but for yours as well. If your birds are healthy, happy, and egg productivity is good, then it makes for an efficient venture for you and your family.
Laying out a plan for your new chicken house is a very important step you should not overlook. The health of your flock and egg laying productivity depends on you making the right decisions. Many people get so excited about the building process they tend to overlook the basic fundamentals for setting up a coop correctly. I've put together a handful of tips which will help guide you through the planning stage for your new chicken coop project.
Tip #1 - Shelter from the Wind and Rain
Your chickens need a house that keeps them dry in wet weather, warm in the winter, shaded from the burning sun, and protected from the wind.
If your chickens are wet, cold, or fearful, they will be unhappy, unhealthy, and your egg production will decrease.
Tip #2 - Decide How Many Birds You Plans To Have and Size Accordingly
This is an important decision. If you were to build your coop too small, or you decide to add more birds to an already full coop, you and your birds will suffer.
Always build a little larger than you think you will need. Too much room will not hurt you at all, but too little most certainly will.
Let's say you were thinking of starting out with 4 chickens, and maybe down the road adding a few more. You should size your coop according to the final outcome, not the starting number.
Allow for a minimum of 2-3 square feet per bird for inside the coop. For the run area, allow at least 4 square feet per bird. The more the better.
If your flock is confined inside a completely enclosed area, allow for at least 6-10 square feet per bird.
Cramped spaces will cause problems such as pecking and aggressiveness, or even poor egg laying.
Tip #3 - What Kind of Climate Do You Live In?
It's important in colder climates that you insulate your coop to protect your birds from cold temperatures and freezing to death.
Cold is not the only problem, if you live in a hot climate, you need to provide shade so your birds don't cook from the heat.
Tip #4 - Decide on Coop Size according To Your Yard Size
We already talked about sizing your chicken coop once you know how many birds you'll be raising, but how large your property is will obviously play a huge factor.
If you have plenty of room, then you have no worries. But, if you have a small property you may have to build according to your available room, and size your flock according to that.
Tip #5 - Let in Some Sunshine and Fresh air
It's important that your chickens have sunshine. Do not keep your birds in a constant shaded area or they will suffer from lack of sunshine.
Just like most creatures, chickens need sunshine for health and well-being. If you have a small property with limited choices for coop site, you may want to seriously consider having a mobile coop you can move around so your birds can catch some sun-rays.
Just like sunshine, you need to provide adequate ventilation as well.
Tip #6 - Give Your Chickens Exercise
Chickens need exercise! You can either let your chickens run free, or give a fenced in area they can run around in. Make it easy for them to access their coop at any time.
If you have predator problems you would be advised to keep the chickens in a fenced area to provide protection. Make sure to run the wire fencing across the top of the run area as well to protect against cats, hawks, owls, and other animals that could easily climb over your fence or fly in.
Tip #7: Build According To Your Budget
Finally, the last tip is about cost. The larger the coop size, the larger the cost. If you are on a fairly tight budget, you'll need to consider how big of a coop and flock you can realistically afford.
There are many things you can do to cut down the costs when building your chicken coop. Building with used material you already have lying around, or maybe a friend or neighbor has lumber they would like to give you and that would certainly cut the costs of building materials down. Also, building the housing yourself from a good set of chicken coop plans could save you as much as 50% off the price of buying a coop in kit form or already built.
Planning and building your chicken coop should not be difficult or even take a lot of time. Just a few hours of planning will go a long way in keeping the process smooth.
Let's do a quick recap.
Provide shelter from the environment and predators, build according to your projected flock size and how much property you have to work with, give your chickens enough room to exercise, place your chicken coop so they get plenty of sunshine and fresh air, and finally, size according to your projected budget.
Keep these building tips in mind and your chickens will be happy, you'll be happy, and your building costs will stay reasonable with proper planning and building the coop correctly the first time.
Even if you don't know how to build a chicken coop yourself, knowing how to plan the coop construction is an absolute must.
Mark P. Cooper is a seasoned expert builder who excels at planning, constructing and building long-lasting chicken coops with an obsession on delivering quality. With over 30 years experience with farm animals and chicken coop construction, Mark has some powerful insight to share that will help you plan and build your chicken housing like an expert.
You need to offer humane, comfortable conditions for your birds, whether you're keeping chickens to give you eggs for the family, for pleasure, or as a meat source.
Your chickens want comfort with their surroundings, have good feed, clean water, sunshine, ventilation, and enough room to move around comfortably.
All this fluff and comfort is not just for your birds sake, but for yours as well. If your birds are healthy, happy, and egg productivity is good, then it makes for an efficient venture for you and your family.
Laying out a plan for your new chicken house is a very important step you should not overlook. The health of your flock and egg laying productivity depends on you making the right decisions. Many people get so excited about the building process they tend to overlook the basic fundamentals for setting up a coop correctly. I've put together a handful of tips which will help guide you through the planning stage for your new chicken coop project.
Tip #1 - Shelter from the Wind and Rain
Your chickens need a house that keeps them dry in wet weather, warm in the winter, shaded from the burning sun, and protected from the wind.
If your chickens are wet, cold, or fearful, they will be unhappy, unhealthy, and your egg production will decrease.
Tip #2 - Decide How Many Birds You Plans To Have and Size Accordingly
This is an important decision. If you were to build your coop too small, or you decide to add more birds to an already full coop, you and your birds will suffer.
Always build a little larger than you think you will need. Too much room will not hurt you at all, but too little most certainly will.
Let's say you were thinking of starting out with 4 chickens, and maybe down the road adding a few more. You should size your coop according to the final outcome, not the starting number.
Allow for a minimum of 2-3 square feet per bird for inside the coop. For the run area, allow at least 4 square feet per bird. The more the better.
If your flock is confined inside a completely enclosed area, allow for at least 6-10 square feet per bird.
Cramped spaces will cause problems such as pecking and aggressiveness, or even poor egg laying.
Tip #3 - What Kind of Climate Do You Live In?
It's important in colder climates that you insulate your coop to protect your birds from cold temperatures and freezing to death.
Cold is not the only problem, if you live in a hot climate, you need to provide shade so your birds don't cook from the heat.
Tip #4 - Decide on Coop Size according To Your Yard Size
We already talked about sizing your chicken coop once you know how many birds you'll be raising, but how large your property is will obviously play a huge factor.
If you have plenty of room, then you have no worries. But, if you have a small property you may have to build according to your available room, and size your flock according to that.
Tip #5 - Let in Some Sunshine and Fresh air
It's important that your chickens have sunshine. Do not keep your birds in a constant shaded area or they will suffer from lack of sunshine.
Just like most creatures, chickens need sunshine for health and well-being. If you have a small property with limited choices for coop site, you may want to seriously consider having a mobile coop you can move around so your birds can catch some sun-rays.
Just like sunshine, you need to provide adequate ventilation as well.
Tip #6 - Give Your Chickens Exercise
Chickens need exercise! You can either let your chickens run free, or give a fenced in area they can run around in. Make it easy for them to access their coop at any time.
If you have predator problems you would be advised to keep the chickens in a fenced area to provide protection. Make sure to run the wire fencing across the top of the run area as well to protect against cats, hawks, owls, and other animals that could easily climb over your fence or fly in.
Tip #7: Build According To Your Budget
Finally, the last tip is about cost. The larger the coop size, the larger the cost. If you are on a fairly tight budget, you'll need to consider how big of a coop and flock you can realistically afford.
There are many things you can do to cut down the costs when building your chicken coop. Building with used material you already have lying around, or maybe a friend or neighbor has lumber they would like to give you and that would certainly cut the costs of building materials down. Also, building the housing yourself from a good set of chicken coop plans could save you as much as 50% off the price of buying a coop in kit form or already built.
Planning and building your chicken coop should not be difficult or even take a lot of time. Just a few hours of planning will go a long way in keeping the process smooth.
Let's do a quick recap.
Provide shelter from the environment and predators, build according to your projected flock size and how much property you have to work with, give your chickens enough room to exercise, place your chicken coop so they get plenty of sunshine and fresh air, and finally, size according to your projected budget.
Keep these building tips in mind and your chickens will be happy, you'll be happy, and your building costs will stay reasonable with proper planning and building the coop correctly the first time.
Even if you don't know how to build a chicken coop yourself, knowing how to plan the coop construction is an absolute must.
Mark P. Cooper is a seasoned expert builder who excels at planning, constructing and building long-lasting chicken coops with an obsession on delivering quality. With over 30 years experience with farm animals and chicken coop construction, Mark has some powerful insight to share that will help you plan and build your chicken housing like an expert.
How to Build a Chicken Coop - 6 Crucial Elements on Building a Chicken House
When building a chicken coop, it is suggested that you follow the guidelines below for a successful endeavor.
Element #1. - Appearance and Design:
Sketch out your design on a sheet of paper before you do anything else. Think of the colors you will paint the roof and chicken coop walls. Always keep in mind that if your chicken coop is clearly visible to your neighbors, (unless you live in a farm it will most likely be visible to your entire neighborhood,) it shouldn't ever serve as a distraction or defacement of its utmost surroundings. So make sure to design an aesthetically looking chicken coop so that your neighbors do not complain of its detracting appearance. Once finished, always remember to remove and dispose of any types of garbage or weeds from around your chicken coop. Try to maintain an appealing landscape around it to enhance its overall appearance.
Element #2. - Using Sound Judgment:
When designing your chicken coop structure, you must use sound judgment in almost every aspect of the way.
For instance, you want to use building materials in which the cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be quick and easy. The doors you install should open inwards, not outwards. You don't want your chickens roosting on your windows, so it is best to install sliding windows.
A question many people ask is how to build a chicken coop who's floors are easy to hose and spray down without much puddling? Well the secret to that is to slightly slope the flooring toward the door. This way, when you spray out the chicken coop, the water will flow out, hence solving your puddling problem.
Element # 3. - Protection from Hazardous Elements:
So you want to learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum protection?
Then listen up.
As you may know, a well built chicken coop will protect your chickens from hazardous elements such as bad weather (heavy rain, wind, hale, snow, cold climates, etc,) but they will also protect them from hungry predators, theft and injury.
So how do we accomplish that?
Easy. You want to build a draft free chicken house with windows and doors that can be opened and closed as needed. Make sure the windows and doors both have proper screening systems installed in them such as a heavy gage mesh wire. Building the chicken coop on a high yet well drained area with ensure the least amount of dampness of the coop. Be sure to build your chicken coop in an area that faces the sun which will help warm and dry the soil and coop itself after it rains.
To protect your chickens from predators, the best thing to do is to bury your outside runs with chicken wire all around the coop about 1 foot deep. This will prevent some very hungry predators such as raccoons, cats and even dogs from digging underneath it.
Strategy # 4. - Coop Ventilation:
You may be wondering how to build a chicken coop that will not only keep your chickens locked up and protected from bad weather and predators yet receive the proper ventilation it requires. If so, then you already understand the importance of draft free air movement from within the coop. Chickens, much like humans, need fresh air and oxygen. The same goes for the removal of unwanted excessive moisture and carbon dioxide. A chicken coop with ample air movement and proper ventilation will help remove the ammonia build up and dampness that may grow inside its walls.
Speaking of walls, the chicken coop walls should have proper insulation installed which will help keep the chickens dry. As long as chickens are dry, they can handle cold climates very well, but humidity plus cold weather will cause health issues for your poultry. Therefore, insulated walls are a must!
Strategy # 5. - Light Source:
If you want a good source of light and warmth for your chickens during the cold months of the year and a solid source of ventilation during the hot months, then be sure to install the chicken coop windows facing the southside where they will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
On another note, if your goal is to raise chickens that will produce great eggs all year round, then you should look into an electrical source of light. You should be able to easily install an electrical light at the height of the chicken coop's ceiling which will help keep your chickens warm and help them lay better chicken eggs throughout the year. One ceiling light should be enough for a small scale chicken coop, for larger chicken coops though, try to install one electrical ceiling light per every 30 - 40 feet.
Strategy # 6. - Conveniently placed Wateres and Chicken Feeders:
Chicken feeders and waterers should be placed where your flock will have easy access to them. However, you have to becareful where you place them because chickens like to make a mess of everything they eat due to their chicken scratching instincts. I'm sure you don't want to see your chicken feed mix all over the coop floors so, to avoid this, place the chicken feeders at the height of the chicken's back. This way they will have to stretch their necks up to eat but won't reach the feeders with their feet. Same goes for the waterers. Just make sure to keep the waterers full of fresh clean water throughout the day.
There you have it folks. 6 quick and easy strategies that will show you how to build a chicken coop fast and efficiently. Whether you're building a large scale chicken coop or a small one, these tips should get you moving in the right direction.
Folks, did you know that the average american spends about $300 to build a chicken coop? Some even invest over 2 months of work trying to assemble the darn structure and in the end aren't even fully contempt with their product. Not very enticing is it? A great chicken coop plan can cut your time and efforts in half while saving you a vast amount money on building materials. To learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum benefits for your flock without investing a magnitude of your time and money , click here:
how to build a chicken coop.
Dale Higgins has been raising chickens and poultry for over 20 years and is an expert in building chicken coops. You can visit his website here: http://tinyurl.com/FreeOfferToday
Element #1. - Appearance and Design:
Sketch out your design on a sheet of paper before you do anything else. Think of the colors you will paint the roof and chicken coop walls. Always keep in mind that if your chicken coop is clearly visible to your neighbors, (unless you live in a farm it will most likely be visible to your entire neighborhood,) it shouldn't ever serve as a distraction or defacement of its utmost surroundings. So make sure to design an aesthetically looking chicken coop so that your neighbors do not complain of its detracting appearance. Once finished, always remember to remove and dispose of any types of garbage or weeds from around your chicken coop. Try to maintain an appealing landscape around it to enhance its overall appearance.
Element #2. - Using Sound Judgment:
When designing your chicken coop structure, you must use sound judgment in almost every aspect of the way.
For instance, you want to use building materials in which the cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be quick and easy. The doors you install should open inwards, not outwards. You don't want your chickens roosting on your windows, so it is best to install sliding windows.
A question many people ask is how to build a chicken coop who's floors are easy to hose and spray down without much puddling? Well the secret to that is to slightly slope the flooring toward the door. This way, when you spray out the chicken coop, the water will flow out, hence solving your puddling problem.
Element # 3. - Protection from Hazardous Elements:
So you want to learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum protection?
Then listen up.
As you may know, a well built chicken coop will protect your chickens from hazardous elements such as bad weather (heavy rain, wind, hale, snow, cold climates, etc,) but they will also protect them from hungry predators, theft and injury.
So how do we accomplish that?
Easy. You want to build a draft free chicken house with windows and doors that can be opened and closed as needed. Make sure the windows and doors both have proper screening systems installed in them such as a heavy gage mesh wire. Building the chicken coop on a high yet well drained area with ensure the least amount of dampness of the coop. Be sure to build your chicken coop in an area that faces the sun which will help warm and dry the soil and coop itself after it rains.
To protect your chickens from predators, the best thing to do is to bury your outside runs with chicken wire all around the coop about 1 foot deep. This will prevent some very hungry predators such as raccoons, cats and even dogs from digging underneath it.
Strategy # 4. - Coop Ventilation:
You may be wondering how to build a chicken coop that will not only keep your chickens locked up and protected from bad weather and predators yet receive the proper ventilation it requires. If so, then you already understand the importance of draft free air movement from within the coop. Chickens, much like humans, need fresh air and oxygen. The same goes for the removal of unwanted excessive moisture and carbon dioxide. A chicken coop with ample air movement and proper ventilation will help remove the ammonia build up and dampness that may grow inside its walls.
Speaking of walls, the chicken coop walls should have proper insulation installed which will help keep the chickens dry. As long as chickens are dry, they can handle cold climates very well, but humidity plus cold weather will cause health issues for your poultry. Therefore, insulated walls are a must!
Strategy # 5. - Light Source:
If you want a good source of light and warmth for your chickens during the cold months of the year and a solid source of ventilation during the hot months, then be sure to install the chicken coop windows facing the southside where they will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
On another note, if your goal is to raise chickens that will produce great eggs all year round, then you should look into an electrical source of light. You should be able to easily install an electrical light at the height of the chicken coop's ceiling which will help keep your chickens warm and help them lay better chicken eggs throughout the year. One ceiling light should be enough for a small scale chicken coop, for larger chicken coops though, try to install one electrical ceiling light per every 30 - 40 feet.
Strategy # 6. - Conveniently placed Wateres and Chicken Feeders:
Chicken feeders and waterers should be placed where your flock will have easy access to them. However, you have to becareful where you place them because chickens like to make a mess of everything they eat due to their chicken scratching instincts. I'm sure you don't want to see your chicken feed mix all over the coop floors so, to avoid this, place the chicken feeders at the height of the chicken's back. This way they will have to stretch their necks up to eat but won't reach the feeders with their feet. Same goes for the waterers. Just make sure to keep the waterers full of fresh clean water throughout the day.
There you have it folks. 6 quick and easy strategies that will show you how to build a chicken coop fast and efficiently. Whether you're building a large scale chicken coop or a small one, these tips should get you moving in the right direction.
Folks, did you know that the average american spends about $300 to build a chicken coop? Some even invest over 2 months of work trying to assemble the darn structure and in the end aren't even fully contempt with their product. Not very enticing is it? A great chicken coop plan can cut your time and efforts in half while saving you a vast amount money on building materials. To learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum benefits for your flock without investing a magnitude of your time and money , click here:
how to build a chicken coop.
Dale Higgins has been raising chickens and poultry for over 20 years and is an expert in building chicken coops. You can visit his website here: http://tinyurl.com/FreeOfferToday
How to Build a Chicken Coop - 7 Tips on Building a Chicken House
If you want to learn how to build a chicken coop, so it will meet expectations and needs of your chickens, this article is for you. Chickens aren't choosy animals, but they require few things in their life to stay happy, health and lay eggs regularly. However, this article isn't only about convenience of your chickens, by following tips I share below, you will be building a chicken coop that is easier and faster to clean as well as keep in good condition.
Light
Chicken are very dependent on light when it comes to their life cycle. They go to sleep when it is getting dark and wake up with sunrise. That is why you have to build windows in your chicken coop that will supply a lot of light.
You should place windows in your chicken coop in a way that will allow your flock to get as much sun as they only can. Especially in the mornings. Most of the windows in your chicken house should be in a direction of the sunrise.
Second use for windows is creating air circulation inside your chicken coop. They allow your chickens to breath with fresh air and save you from dealing with bad smells while you are cleaning the chicken coop.
Failing to supply your chickens with an appropriate source of light will decrease their performance and cause them to lay eggs less frequently or during weird hours. So if, for some reason, you can't supply them with natural light, try to substitute it with electrical. This, however, should be done under supervision of someone who knows how to build a chicken coop.
Electrical light is a great idea, but you have to make sure that the installation is well hidden and won't become a pecking target. The other thing you have to remember is that with electrical light, your bills can get really high, so my recommendation is to always search for natural solutions.
Size
You have to remember about creating a chicken house of the right size. You should estimate how many chickens you are going to keep and based on that choose an appropriate plan. Each chicken requires from 4 to 5 square feet to feel comfortable.
If you are unable to find a perfect fit for your flock, always choose bigger coop. Small chicken coops will force your birds to crowd on a very limited space and that can cause disease spreading and in some extreme cases cannibalism.
The next dramatic result of keeping your chickens in a small space is, aggression. Chickens that don't have enough room, can become aggressive towards you, other members of the flock and the chicken coop itself. They also tend to break their own eggs so, pay attention to the size of your chicken house.
What is your budget?
Budget is a very important factor you should consider while learning how to build a chicken coop. It can be the single reason that will kill your entire undertaking. That is why you should always establish how much you can spend before starting to build.
There are many ways you can cut the cost of construction. One of the most obvious ones is buying cheaper, but still usable materials. This, however, requires information on what kind of materials are chicken safe and, which aren't.
Another way you can decrease the money you will spend is, by finding free materials. Yes, it is possible. Just ask around if some of your neighbors don't have spare pieces of wood they don't plan to use. You will be surprised how much stuff you will receive.
However, if all the above methods don't work for you, I recommend to hold building your chicken coop for some time. It is better to wait until you save an appropriate amount of money, then rush into construction. This will insure you are building a chicken coop that will last long and not some low-quality dummy that will fall apart faster than you have built it.
How much time can you spare
Your time limitations are very important when you are discovering how to build a chicken house. If you have problems finding an hour every week to clean up your chicken coop, you have to give it some thinking.
Taking care of your chicken house is very important. So if you have problems finding enough time to clean it, forget about complicated chicken house designs. By creating a simpler construction that is easier to access and keep clean, you invest in happiness and health of your chickens.
Always build chicken houses that have plenty of well designed access points. They will make cleaning and collecting eggs' way easier. By simply making the floor of your chicken coop slightly tilted in the direction of the entrance, you will cut the cleaning time by more than half. This simple trick will allow you to hose down your chicken coops floor, helping you to save a lot of energy.
Land and climate
It is really important to choose the right place for your chicken house. It should stand on an even, hard ground in order to be durable and useful to your chickens. That is why, you should spend some time thinking about this issue.
What kind of a climate you are living in? Does it rain a lot? What kind of a soil is in your backyard? Is it cold for most of the year?
If you are living in a place, where the soil is very soft and it rains a lot, you should raise your chicken coop above the ground, or else it will drown with time. Especially if your chicken house is very large, and you own a large flock.
If it is cold in your area for most of the time you have to use thicker materials and insulation that will help your chicken to remain warm during harsher weather conditions. If the thicker walls alone don't do the trick, you may also want to install an artificial heather that will keep the right temperature when it is needed. For more specific advice on heathers ask a person who has experience in the area of how to build a chicken coop.
Do you want a mobile chicken coop?
The next thing you should ask yourself is, will you move your chicken coop a lot. If yes, you may think about building a mobile chicken house. It will allow you to change location of your flocks' home with ease.
The only disadvantage of such a solution is the size limitation. In order to create a mobile chicken coop, you will have to attach wheels to it. This, on the other hand, will force you to build a chicken coop which size allows you to carry it. The next thing you have to think about is the hardness of the ground in your backyard. If it is very soft you won't be able to pull your chicken coop through it, without getting stuck.
Protection from predators
Topic of predators is often missed by many people who learn how to build a chicken coop. But this issue is of utter importance and if neglected can lead to loss of your entire flock.
You should start from establishing what kind of predators are in your neighborhood. You can do it either by asking people near you or searching this information on the Internet. The thing you are after is the method they will try to attack your chicken coop.
If they will try to go from the top, you should cover the top of your chicken run with a fence. If you are dealing with really big animals that may try to destroy the fence of your run or chicken coop overall, use the most durable materials you can find. If you think they will try to dig their way to your chicken house, make sure you dig the fence at least a foot into the ground.
In addition to these tips, you should also remember to tweak the weakest link of nearly all chicken coops and runs, doors. Try to find ones that have a tight fit, multiple latches and overall there is no way to get in, for unwanted animals.
As you can see learning how to build a chicken coop requires a lot of time and experience on your part. That is why you shouldn't rush in to the building. Don't hope you will combat all the obstacles along the way. It is plain stupid and you will have to spend more time doing necessary modifications then, you would spend on the entire construction, only if you would invest more time into crucial preparations. So spend some more time learning how to build a chicken coop and plan your chicken house with confidence.
If you would like to discover best chicken house plans [http://tinyurl.com/FreeOfferToday], that will be convenient for you and your chickens, you have to visit my site. Aside from tips on creating a great chicken coop, you will also find a wealth of information about chicken housing.
Light
Chicken are very dependent on light when it comes to their life cycle. They go to sleep when it is getting dark and wake up with sunrise. That is why you have to build windows in your chicken coop that will supply a lot of light.
You should place windows in your chicken coop in a way that will allow your flock to get as much sun as they only can. Especially in the mornings. Most of the windows in your chicken house should be in a direction of the sunrise.
Second use for windows is creating air circulation inside your chicken coop. They allow your chickens to breath with fresh air and save you from dealing with bad smells while you are cleaning the chicken coop.
Failing to supply your chickens with an appropriate source of light will decrease their performance and cause them to lay eggs less frequently or during weird hours. So if, for some reason, you can't supply them with natural light, try to substitute it with electrical. This, however, should be done under supervision of someone who knows how to build a chicken coop.
Electrical light is a great idea, but you have to make sure that the installation is well hidden and won't become a pecking target. The other thing you have to remember is that with electrical light, your bills can get really high, so my recommendation is to always search for natural solutions.
Size
You have to remember about creating a chicken house of the right size. You should estimate how many chickens you are going to keep and based on that choose an appropriate plan. Each chicken requires from 4 to 5 square feet to feel comfortable.
If you are unable to find a perfect fit for your flock, always choose bigger coop. Small chicken coops will force your birds to crowd on a very limited space and that can cause disease spreading and in some extreme cases cannibalism.
The next dramatic result of keeping your chickens in a small space is, aggression. Chickens that don't have enough room, can become aggressive towards you, other members of the flock and the chicken coop itself. They also tend to break their own eggs so, pay attention to the size of your chicken house.
What is your budget?
Budget is a very important factor you should consider while learning how to build a chicken coop. It can be the single reason that will kill your entire undertaking. That is why you should always establish how much you can spend before starting to build.
There are many ways you can cut the cost of construction. One of the most obvious ones is buying cheaper, but still usable materials. This, however, requires information on what kind of materials are chicken safe and, which aren't.
Another way you can decrease the money you will spend is, by finding free materials. Yes, it is possible. Just ask around if some of your neighbors don't have spare pieces of wood they don't plan to use. You will be surprised how much stuff you will receive.
However, if all the above methods don't work for you, I recommend to hold building your chicken coop for some time. It is better to wait until you save an appropriate amount of money, then rush into construction. This will insure you are building a chicken coop that will last long and not some low-quality dummy that will fall apart faster than you have built it.
How much time can you spare
Your time limitations are very important when you are discovering how to build a chicken house. If you have problems finding an hour every week to clean up your chicken coop, you have to give it some thinking.
Taking care of your chicken house is very important. So if you have problems finding enough time to clean it, forget about complicated chicken house designs. By creating a simpler construction that is easier to access and keep clean, you invest in happiness and health of your chickens.
Always build chicken houses that have plenty of well designed access points. They will make cleaning and collecting eggs' way easier. By simply making the floor of your chicken coop slightly tilted in the direction of the entrance, you will cut the cleaning time by more than half. This simple trick will allow you to hose down your chicken coops floor, helping you to save a lot of energy.
Land and climate
It is really important to choose the right place for your chicken house. It should stand on an even, hard ground in order to be durable and useful to your chickens. That is why, you should spend some time thinking about this issue.
What kind of a climate you are living in? Does it rain a lot? What kind of a soil is in your backyard? Is it cold for most of the year?
If you are living in a place, where the soil is very soft and it rains a lot, you should raise your chicken coop above the ground, or else it will drown with time. Especially if your chicken house is very large, and you own a large flock.
If it is cold in your area for most of the time you have to use thicker materials and insulation that will help your chicken to remain warm during harsher weather conditions. If the thicker walls alone don't do the trick, you may also want to install an artificial heather that will keep the right temperature when it is needed. For more specific advice on heathers ask a person who has experience in the area of how to build a chicken coop.
Do you want a mobile chicken coop?
The next thing you should ask yourself is, will you move your chicken coop a lot. If yes, you may think about building a mobile chicken house. It will allow you to change location of your flocks' home with ease.
The only disadvantage of such a solution is the size limitation. In order to create a mobile chicken coop, you will have to attach wheels to it. This, on the other hand, will force you to build a chicken coop which size allows you to carry it. The next thing you have to think about is the hardness of the ground in your backyard. If it is very soft you won't be able to pull your chicken coop through it, without getting stuck.
Protection from predators
Topic of predators is often missed by many people who learn how to build a chicken coop. But this issue is of utter importance and if neglected can lead to loss of your entire flock.
You should start from establishing what kind of predators are in your neighborhood. You can do it either by asking people near you or searching this information on the Internet. The thing you are after is the method they will try to attack your chicken coop.
If they will try to go from the top, you should cover the top of your chicken run with a fence. If you are dealing with really big animals that may try to destroy the fence of your run or chicken coop overall, use the most durable materials you can find. If you think they will try to dig their way to your chicken house, make sure you dig the fence at least a foot into the ground.
In addition to these tips, you should also remember to tweak the weakest link of nearly all chicken coops and runs, doors. Try to find ones that have a tight fit, multiple latches and overall there is no way to get in, for unwanted animals.
As you can see learning how to build a chicken coop requires a lot of time and experience on your part. That is why you shouldn't rush in to the building. Don't hope you will combat all the obstacles along the way. It is plain stupid and you will have to spend more time doing necessary modifications then, you would spend on the entire construction, only if you would invest more time into crucial preparations. So spend some more time learning how to build a chicken coop and plan your chicken house with confidence.
If you would like to discover best chicken house plans [http://tinyurl.com/FreeOfferToday], that will be convenient for you and your chickens, you have to visit my site. Aside from tips on creating a great chicken coop, you will also find a wealth of information about chicken housing.
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