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.
