How To Raise Baby Chicks

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How To Raise Baby Chicks

November 28, 2019   Comment  

It is a suprisingly easy task to raise your own chicks. As long as you have the right materials and the time to care for your little chicks, they will grow up healthy and happy. If you are a first time chicken owner or are considering buying your first flock of hatchlings there are a few things to take care of before you purchase them.

First of all, you will need to buy all of the right materials. The first thing you will need is a container to keep them in. Most plastic storage bins, found at most stores, seem to work the best. When looking for the proper size, consider at least half of a square foot of floor space per chick. For covering the bottom of the container, it is best to use straw or woodshavings. Newspaper is not recommended because it tends to get slippery when wet and this may result in one of the chicks slipping and possibly breaking it's little leg. Be sure to keep the bedding cleaned. Typically the older they get the more you will have to change the bedding out. You will start out changing it about once every one or two days. When the chicks are just beginning life, keep an eye out that there is no dried up poop on the vent area(rear end). If you do find some, simply peel it off, gently. If this is not done, it can stop them up and they could die from constipation. Also, you may not think to have toys for chickens, but you can also choose to put a few sticks or small blocks in there for them to play with and perch on.

Another item you will need is a simple thermometer. Pre-drill a hole through the side of the container so that you can attach the thermometer approximately two inches from the bottom. Or you can find some heavy duty double-sided tape or sticky foam to attach the thermometer with. Also, you will need to provide a heating lamp to keep the chicks warm. Hang it over the container in a fashion that allows you to lower or raise the lamp as needed to maintain a temperature of 95*F on the thermometer. Be sure to have the container 'pre-heated' before you place the chicks in it. The older the chicks get, the less heat they will need. A good way to adjust the temperature would be to drop it about five degrees per week until you reach 70*F. By then, the chicks should be feathered enough to keep themselves warm.

For feeding the hatchlings, you can purchase galvanized steel feeders and waterers that are made to attach to mason jars. You can usually find these at your local feed store. If you do not already own mason jars, they can be found at most grocery stores. These tend to work the best for chicks. The reason being is that they take up a little amount of space and tend to be less messy, because the chicks can not walk around in the food or water. When you first bring the hatchlings home you can start feeding them medicated, high protein chick starter. Do this for at least eight weeks. After that you can switch to a lower protein chick grower that is non-medicated. The reason for giving them medicated starter in the beginning is because it helps protect them from coccidiosis, a deadly poultry disease, which the baby chicks are not immune to until they are about eight weeks old. When they reach sixteen weeks of age you can then switch them to an even lower protein, complete layer feed. These types come in crumbles or pellets. Knowing which one to choose simply depends on your flock's preference. You can also choose to add special treats into their diet, such as, bread, fruit or vegetable scraps. At this point in their life, you can also move them to a regular coop that supplies at least two square feet per bird of floor space. By now, they are also ready to freely scratch and peck around your yard, for bugs, seeds and greenery, or if this is not an option, a fenced in area providing approximately four square feet per bird will do.

When you have placed them out in the coop, this means you have successfully raised your very own baby chicks. Now on to reaping the rewards that your flock will bring you for many years to come.

Source: buildchickencoopz.com/how-to-raise-chickens/23-how-to-raise-baby-chicks

The Benefits of Raising Chickens

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The Benefits of Raising Chickens

November 28, 2019   Comment  

If you have decided to raise your own chickens, you probably decided to based on the fact that you are aware that there can be many benefits associated with raising your own flock. Not only can chickens make good pets, they can also save you money in a numerous amount of ways and even teach the young ones discipline and the art and reward of completing chores.

The first and most obvious reason for raising your own chickens would be that you get your own free, fresh eggs right out of your back yard. Nearly every household uses eggs in one way or another. Whether it be for cooking or maybe even games or holidays. Most people are always looking for ways to obtain the freshest, most organic products. Harvesting your own eggs from your back yard is a great way to begin the process of going organic. On top of saving your money, you can even earn a little extra money, as well, by selling your extra eggs. Simply put up a sign in your front yard and let the customers and extra bucks pour in.

Another great way to save money would be to harvest your own chickens. Two ways to do this would be to hatch your own chicks and sell them or raise them up and reap them for meat. Some people may think the second option is a bit extreme and may not be able to handle this daunting task. If this is the case, you may be relieved to know that there are butchers that will do it for you for at a suprisingly low price. Even if you decide to take your chickens to a butcher, instead of doing it yourself, you will still save more money this way, versus buying pre-processed chicken from your local grocery store. Also, keep in mind that harvesting your own chickens is another way to add to your organic repertoire.

There are several other smaller, less obvious benefits of having your own chickens. One of those would be the fact that raising your own chickens requires a repetition of chores that can help your children gain responsibility and discipline by taking care of your flock. You will want to feed and water them every day and be sure that, if they are laying hens, to keep their eggs boxes clean. Also, having your own chickens means that you automatically have your own homemade fertilizer. Chicken feces produces a great fertilizer for your vegetable or flower garden. Something else that may not be as noticeable would be the fact that chickens make for great bug exterminators. Chickens peck continuously all day, searching and scratching for bugs and some greenery. Chickens can even be a great organic defense against bugs in your garden. Instead of using potentially harmful pest repellants, allowing your chickens to 'graze' around your garden is a great way to keep the bugs at bay. Be aware, though, that they may try to sneak a quick snack from your veggies as well.

Keeping all of these useful benefits in mind, if you weren't considering raising your own chickens before, you may have changed your mind by now.

Source: buildchickencoopz.com/how-to-raise-chickens/24-the-benefits-of-raising-chickens

How to Care For Chickens

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How to Care For Chickens

November 28, 2019   Comment  

Raising your own chickens comes with many rewards. Whether it be saving money, making money, eating healthier, or maybe just a sense of responsibility and accomplishment. Of course, with any reward or pay-off comes work. The better you care for your chickens, the more you get in return.

The first things you want to be sure of is that your chickens have a safe, predator-proof place to roost at night. After this has been taken care of, you will want to add some egg boxes, if you are raising your chickens for eggs. There are different materials you can use as cushion in your egg boxes. Probably the most efficient would be pine straw or dried grass clippings. If this is not obtainable, you may purchase straw or shavings. Also, provide a large limb or round, wooden pole at least four feet off of the ground for them to roost on at night. If they are not going to be free-range chickens, you want to be sure to provide a sufficient amount of fenced in area for them to scratch and feed on during the day.

Once you have provided a secure place for your chickens to live, knowing what to feed them is next. If you have obtained hatchlings or chicks, you will want to start off by feeding them chick starter. The higher the protein count in the food, the better. Especially during their adolescent stage, in which they are doing all of their growing. A good way to feed them would be once early in the morning and once an hour or so before dark. Once the chickens have aged to approximately three months, you can consider adding random scraps to their everyday feed, such as, bread, fruit and vegetable scraps. If your chickens are free-range, they will have already begun searching for insects and a variety of greenery. If your chickens are caged, however, you may want to consider finding these things for them and throwing it in their pen. Once chickens reach the age of six months you can change their feed to pellets, if you would like, instead of the crushed up starter. If you are raising chickens for egg laying, they have feed made especially for that, as well. Also, be sure to allow them continual access to fresh water. Chickens can not swallow, so they have to lift their head back to allow the water to go down. Since this is the case, the best way to supply water for them would be in a specially made watering bucket, that can be placed up off of the ground approximately one foot high. Although it is not necessary to do so, it is recommended. If you do not have access to this type of watering device, a shallow pan will do; and it is still better to elevate it by setting it on top of a crate or box that is approximately one foot high.

A very important thing to remember is, since chickens do not have teeth, they need a way to grind up the food that they eat. The way free-range chickens do this is by eating small, crushed gravel or rocks. The rocks are a great way to grind up their food once they have ingested it. When raising caged chickens, you can purchase crushed oyster shells or rocks from your local feed store. Be sure to throw out a few handfuls every once in a while or when you notice there is no more left in their pen.

Depending on what breed of chicken you purchase, you may need to supply, either a fan or a heating lamp in their coop, if they are not able to tolerate extreme cold or hot weather conditions.

All in all, as with any pets, caring for them to the best of your ability is very important. Even chickens deserve a little love.

Source: buildchickencoopz.com/how-to-raise-chickens/25-how-to-care-for-chickens

Chicken Coop Location

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Chicken Coop Location

November 28, 2019   Comment  

It is very important to know in advance where you are going to place your chicken coop because this will directly influence how many eggs your chickens will lay, and obviously you want more eggs for your buck, so you need to pay attention to where you will place your chicken coop.

You need to spend some time over selecting the perfect spot in your backyard because once it is done, it cannot be removed from its location. Also the right location will impact a lot of things in the future.

Protecting your chicken from predators

There are plenty of animals who would be only happy to get their paws and other body parts on your chicken. One idea to keep in mind is that you need to place it as close as possible to the place you are going to be. This will ensure that you'll be able to watch out for your chicken.

Climate factor

Depending on you are living (in a hot area, humid area, one full of rain) you need to carefully consider where your coop will be placed. If you are living in an area where it constantly rains, you need to build the chicken coop in a more protected area. If you have some trees around you can place the coop nearby. This will reduce the rain that the chicken shed will be hit with.

If you are living in a windy area, again you need to build the chicken coop close to trees that will shild your chicken from the wind. Good ventilation is crucial in the coop, however you don't want the wind to take ownership of the coop.

Direct sunlight for your chicken

Your chicken will need a lot of direct natural sunlight to be able to lay the most eggs, so you need to build the coop in around a well lit place that faces the sun. Unless you do this, you will find youself getting expensive electrical lights to your coop, so your bill will be quite heavy to pay.

Keep all these factors in mind while you're planning to build your chicken coop. Once the coop is done, it can't be easily undone, and being happy with the coop will make sure that your chicken will be too.

So, keep these factors in mind as you go about deciding exactly where to place your chicken coop. If you do, you’ll be happy with it for the long term and you’ll definitely notice a big difference in the amount of fresh eggs you get daily.

Source: chickenshedfloral.com/chicken-coop-location.php

Chicken Coop Plans

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Chicken Coop Plans

November 22, 2019   Comment  

Chicken coop plans are widely available in your local building centers and online. Many chicken coop plans are available online for very low cost, and most contain a list of all the materials you need for completion. The best chicken coops are built by hand with your particular needs in mind.

When planning your chicken housing and runs, you should plan for your climate conditions and the number of chickens that you want to provide for. Each standard size chicken needs at least four square feet of space. This means that for every three chickens you plan to have, you will need 12 square feet of space.

Of course, the more space you provide, the happier and healthier the chickens will be. A larger space significantly cuts down on squabbling, gives your chickens more opportunity for exercise, and decreases the threats of illnesses that are prevalent in close quarters.

Chicken coop kits are readily available with all construction materials included. However, these are usually only meant for up to 3 chickens, and are cost prohibitive for larger units.

If you are only planning to keep a couple of chickens you can buy a coop and run ready made through online mail order. These units sit on the ground and are not secure against even medium sized predators. But they are easily moved from one part of your yard to another. They are a good consideration for a ‘day’ pen, as you can move to locations for fresh vegetation and bug intake.

When building your own chicken coop, be careful of building materials that can be a hazard to your birds and the eggs you plan to collect. Wood that has been pressure treated to prevent termites and rot can have traces of arsenic imbedded in it. Also be careful not to use paint that could contain lead. Remember that anything ingested by the chicken can end up in her eggs that can end up in your family.

If you are new to raising chickens, you may not know that chicken wire affords very little protection to chickens. Dogs, skunks, opossums, raccoons, fox, coyotes, and many other predators tear right through chicken wire.

When formulating your chicken coop plans, only use chicken wire for the bottom of the cage to keep predators from digging under. It is a great deterrent for that because the animal doesn’t have the leverage he needs to tear through from underneath. He will get discouraged and hunt elsewhere.

Use a heavier gauge wire mesh for the sides and top of your pen to protect your chickens. Even if your coop provides for lock down at night, predators will still try to get through to eat grain, drink from their water, and will try to get into the coop itself.

If you have raccoons in your area you may have to use a padlock to keep them out of the coop. A slide bolt or hasp is easily maneuvered by a chicken killing veteran raccoon. Your chicken coop plans should take into account the type of predators present around your location.

With some thought about your climate, the number of chickens you would like to have, and basic safety measures, your chicken coop plans can be the start of an enjoyable hobby for you and your family.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/chicken-coop-plans

What to Feed Chickens

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What to Feed Chickens

November 22, 2019   Comment  

When deciding what to feed chickens, you must take into account their age and your goal for your chickens. Feeding chickens that are going to be egg producers require a different feed than chickens that are for meat production.

Feeding Baby Chicks

Baby chicks should always start out on chick starter that is 20-22% protein for egg producers, and up to 24% protein for meat chickens. Chick starter should be used until the age of 6-9 weeks, depending on the breed of chicken and how quickly it matures. Meat chickens should then go on “broiler finish” grain until they are ready to slaughter.

If you are raising meat chickens you should choose chicken feed that has antibiotics to prevent Coccidiosis. This is also a good idea for any chicken unless you are planning to sell products that are “free range” or “organic”.

Raising your own meat chickens may not be the most pleasant thing about raising chickens, but it prevents your family from ingesting the hormone load given to commercial chickens to increase the growth rate and size.

Adult Chickens

Once the chickens are ready to go on adult feed, you should choose feed that is 14 % protein. Calcium is super important in laying hens and in extra-large breeds like Jersey Giants that need strong bones to hold their weight.

Adult chicken feed comes in pellets, crumbles, mash and scratch. The way to get the most balanced diet in the chickens is to mix some scratch in with pellets or crumbles, and supplement with vegetables and calcium.

You can supplement your chicken’s calcium intake by using clean, crushed egg shells in their feed. They will eat what they need if it is available.

Veggies and Peelings

Leftover veggies like spinach, Romain, carrot peels, apple peelings, and whole grains like oatmeal, barley, and small amounts of fruit make your chickens healthier and happier. Just remember this is a supplement to chicken feed, not a replacement. They must have the protein and other nutrients provided by the chicken feed unless they are totally free range in a very nutritious environment.

Just remember that as long as it is fresh it can go to your chickens instead of down the garbage disposal, as long as it is not a meat product.

Chicken Mobiles

A chicken tractor gives you the versatility to move your flock from place to place in your yard. This keeps the vegetation, available bugs, and grit fresh and the chickens interested. This is a good method if you don’t have the room for free range, or need to protect your chickens from daytime predators.

This also keeps your yard from getting brown areas where the chickens scratch to find morsels.

Hazards

Beware of using pesticides and fertilizers in any area where your chickens might feed. They are not picky when pecking at granules on the ground and can easily poison themselves and your eggs.

They can also become poisoned from grass and plants where you have used weed killers or spray (water soluble) fertilizers. Remember that whatever goes into your chickens will go into your eggs. Pesticides and chemicals can show up in your eggs before the chicken shows any sign of illness.

If done properly, your home grown chickens and eggs will provide wonderful nutrition for you and your family. When you feed chickens well they will provide you with years of fresh eggs every day.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/what-to-feed-chickens

Raising Backyard Chickens

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Raising Backyard Chickens

November 22, 2019   Comment  

Raising backyard chickens has become very popular both as a hobby and a small business for many. It is both fun and profitable, takes up little time once you get everything set up, and is a great family hobby.

If you begin with day old baby chicks from a hatchery, you will need to provide constant warmth until they feather out. This usually takes a few weeks. Their ambient temperature should begin at 99 degrees Fahrenheit the first week and decrease by 5 degrees each week until the temps reach 75 degrees.

This can be accomplished with a simple light bulb or a heat lamp hung from a height that the chicks can’t touch. You can use a box, aquarium, or plastic storage container for housing, with newspaper in the bottom, until the chicks are feathered out.

Once the chickens are fully feathered, or if you begin with adults, they can live in a chicken coop with an exercise run. They will need four square feet of space per chicken at a minimum.

You can house any number of hens together as long as there is sufficient space available, but there can be only one rooster per pen once they become adults.

When raising backyard chickens you can expect your hens to begin laying eggs by the time they are six months old, unless they mature to this age in the winter. If you are in a cold climate, they may wait until spring to begin laying eggs.

Young hens may lay outside of the nest boxes. One remedy for this is to place a wooden or plastic egg in each nest box to encourage laying in the right place, and make your egg gathering much easier.

If you are raising chicken for meat, you will need to buy breeds that are will be a good size by the time they are 16 weeks old. Cornish crosses are often used for this purpose. They utilize their chicken feed efficiently and grow rapidly.

For the best egg production many people choose White leghorns or Rhode Island Reds. They lay an egg nearly every day. However, many of the more personable and friendly chickens lay almost as well, such as Standard Cochins, and they make great pets for kids.

If you want to raise baby chicks from your adults, you will need a breed that goes “broody” (sits on the eggs) once she has a full nest, or you will need an incubator. Some chicken breeders keep broody hens such as Silkies to sit on the eggs of their other livestock.

For selling fertile eggs or day old chicks, look into the rare and endangered species. The fertile eggs and chicks will sell for a larger profit, and the adults don’t cost any more to keep than a normal barnyard chicken. These include some beautiful heritage breeds and flamboyant exotics.

When choosing your chicken breeds, choose breeds that will adapt easily to your climate. Cochins are good cold climate chickens with their full, fluffy feathering that reaches to their toes, while some like the Silkies, need warm weather.

Silkies have to be kept dry because their feathers have fur like qualities. This is an attribute that makes them unusual and endearing to their owner, but they get soggy quickly in rain and the chill can kill them.

Before beginning your hobby of raising backyard chickens, research all the various types of chicken and make your selections wisely.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/raising-backyard-chickens

How to Build a Chicken Coop

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How to Build a Chicken Coop

November 22, 2019   Comment  

When deciding how to build a chicken coop, think about the structures you may already have access to. An old wood shed, a potting shed, or outdoor tool shed can make good starter structures without investing a lot of time and money. They also would be considered “green”, since you are salvaging old wood.

These starter structures should be wood, as metal can quickly become too hot inside for your chickens to survive in the warmer months.

Starting from Scratch

Of course you can always start from scratch and design your own plans. If you are good with a hammer and this is how you decide to go there are some things to keep in mind.

Never use wood that has been treated to withstand termites and weather rot. This wood has been chemically treated and can contain poisons. Remember that whatever goes into your chickens while they are scratching and pecking at everything will end up in you by way of their eggs.

Also beware of lead based paint. You can still run across it from time to time, and it could have been used on an old structure you are considering as a starter coop. Any old paint on this type of building should be removed.

Don’t expect chicken wire to keep your poultry safe. It easily gives way to determined predators like coyotes, raccoons, opossums, and your neighbor’s dog. The best place for chicken wire is as a “floor” for your run area. Predators can’t get in by digging under, but the chickens still have access to the ground, grass, and bugs.

Size Planning
Plan your space to accommodate the number of chickens you are planning to keep. A standard Cochin, for example, needs 4 feet of space. If you are going to keep 3 chickens, you will need 12 feet of space. If you want more than one rooster, you will need multiple pens.

Roosters do not co-exist well. They will fight – usually to the death. Fighting will stress the hens and may cause them to cease laying eggs.

If you are keeping chicken for egg production, the amount of eggs laid will depend on the breed of chicken. Most any chicken will lay an egg every one to three days, but some, like the Plymouth Rock will lay an egg a day – every day – for about 3 years.

If you just want enough eggs for your family and a good pet in the deal, you could use Cochins. They will lay nearly everyday and they make great pets for children . So with 3 Cochin hens you can expect about 1.5 dozen eggs a week.

If you plan to have extra eggs to sell, you can generally plan for one hen to lay 5 eggs per week . Divide the number of eggs you want per week by 5, and that will give you the approximate number of chickens you will need to house to attain your egg goal. This will give you a good idea of how much space you’ll need for your chickens.

The 12 feet of space you need for 3 chickens is the minimum. The more space you provide, the healthier the chickens will be. Cramped space will stress the hens, make them more prone to disease, and shorten their lifespan.

Designing Your Chicken Coop

When you are deciding how you want your chicken coop to look remember to plan for access. You will need a way to clean it out regularly, and you will need a way to gather the eggs easily.

You will also need to provide a run so that the chickens can come out and exercise each day. This should attach to the coop so that you just open a door to let them come out. If the coop is up off the ground, the door can latch from the top. This will allow it to drop down and become a bridge for the chickens to walk down to the ground.

There are a lot of chicken coop plans on the internet that are downloadable. Some are better than others. Check out the reviews on this site to make sure you get the best one.

Whether you want a rustic, charming, country chicken coop, or one that compliments your homes architecture, building your own chicken coop is fun and satisfying.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/how-to-build-a-chicken-coop

Guide to Raising Chickens

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Guide to Raising Chickens

November 22, 2019   Comment  

Raising chickens has become a popular and profitable pastime for many families today. Not just for rural or country dwellers anymore, small chicken endeavors can be found in many towns and even cities.

Starting Baby Chicks

If you order day old chicks from a hatchery to be shipped to you, the first care they receive is important to their development. Most post offices require that you pick them up since their vehicles for delivery are not climate controlled . As soon as you get them home open the box and hydrate them. Use Pedialyte for the first day to give them the best start.

Feeding is less important at this point. The first 3 days of a chick’s life it is still digesting the yolk. This is nature’s way of giving the chick time to learn to eat.

When raising chickens you must have a warm place for them to stay until they feather out. This can be a plastic storage container, a large aquarium, or a cardboard box. Use newspaper to line the bottom for easy and regular cleaning. They will need to be kept at 99 – 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week. Then you can decrease the temperature by 5 degrees weekly until you get down to 80 degrees.

Feed them a good grade of chick starter, which is ground corn and grains with vitamins and calcium, until they feather out and become big enough to eat regular chicken feed or pellets.

Housing and Safety

If you get more than one rooster in your batch of baby chicken you will have to separate them before they become adults. Just because they don’t fight when they are young doesn’t mean it is safe to keep them together later . Once they become sexually mature they will injure each other, and if not separated, they can kill each other.

Raising chickens requires space both in a coop and in an outdoor pen. Each standard sized adult chicken will need at least four square feet of space. More is preferable. Cramped quarters lead to illness, squabbling, and nervous hens who won’t lay eggs well.

You may not realize how much wildlife you have around your home until the smell of fresh chickens you’re raising brings them out. Opossums, raccoons, skunks, rats, snakes, coyotes, and many other predators would love to feast on your lovely flock of chickens.

Keep your chickens safe from predators by:

• Lock them up tight in the coop at night. A slide lock will not keep an experienced raccoon out. You may have to use a padlock.
• Even if the chickens are safe inside a coop at night, predators can dig under to eat their feed and contaminate it with infections. Worse, they may not be able to get back out and be waiting for you in morning. Using wire for a floor in the outdoor or run area of the chicken pen to discourage digging predators will keep your chickens and you safer.
• There are some LED lights on the market now that mimic the shining eyes of a dog or coyote at night that have been proven to reduce vermin.
• You local feed store may carry “fox pee” that you can sprinkle around the cage and coop to keep vermin away. It must be reapplied regularly.

Whether you are raising chickens for eggs, a small business, or a fun family project you will find it a rewarding experience.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/guide-to-raising-chickens

DIY Chicken Coop

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DIY Chicken Coop

November 21, 2019   Comment  

For a DIY chicken coop the amount of success is directly related to the amount of planning . The first tools you need are pencil and paper. Use it to answer these questions:

• How many chickens do you plan to keep? Each standard sized chicken needs 4 square feet of space. Bantam breeds need 2 square feet per chicken, and the giant breeds, such as the Jersey Giants, need 6 square feet of space per chicken. The more space you can provide, the happier and healthier your chickens will be. More space means less squabbling, and cramped quarters make your chickens more prone to illness.
• What types of predators do you have to guard against in your area? Skunks and opossums will dig under fencing, hawks swoop from above, and raccoons can open any device short of a padlock. Your diy chicken coop must provide security from these dangers.
• What type of climate do you have? Very cold climates necessitate a snug, waterproof coop; hot climates demand good ventilation in the coop, although you still need to keep rain from coming in. You climate will also come into play when deciding what breed of chickens you choose. There are literally hundreds of breeds, some do better in hot climates, some in cold and others are great for tropical weather. Breed research is important when deciding which breeds will be best for you.
• No matter what your climate is like you will need to provide a run for your chickens. They need fresh air and sunshine as often as possible. The run gives them opportunity for exercise, bug hunting and snacking on surrounding vegetation or grass. This is part of keeping your chickens healthy.
• Do you want your diy chicken coop to be mobile, or is it going to stay in one spot? A chicken tractor, made to move around the yard to different spots is a great idea for small flocks. It enables the chickens to have fresh vegetation to explore daily.

One you have formulated a plan, it’s time to thing about your building materials. Treated lumber can be toxic, so it’s better to use wood that has not been treated to withstand rot or termites. Lead based paint is still available in many salvage building supplies. Chickens peck at everything – don’t use lead based paint – they will peck it and it will end up in your eggs.

Chicken wire is not a good choice for chicken pens. It can be ripped apart by determined predators. The only good place to use chicken wire is on the bottom of the pen. It absolutely halts predators that try to dig under to get in.

The fun part of your diy chicken coop is the design process. Decide whether you want a rustic look, or a coop that mimics the look of your home. You can design a chicken coop that is reminiscent of an urban apartment house, or that looks like a gingerbread house. The diy chicken coop designer is limited only by his imagination.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/diy-chicken-coop

Chicken Health

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Chicken Health

November 21, 2019   Comment  

Your chicken’s health is dependant on several factors. The healthier your chickens are the better quality eggs they will lay and the longer laying season they will have. Chickens in poor health are stressed and do not lay eggs nearly as often as their healthy counterparts.

Vaccines

If you order your chicks from a commercial hatchery you can pay a nominal fee to have them vaccinated against some common fowl maladies. This is usually only a few cents per chick and is well worth the extra cost. You van also vaccinate your chickens at home. Some vaccines to consider are:

• Marek’s Disease is a highly contagious virus that causes tumors in chickens . Most hatcheries offer the vaccine for this disease. The virus is shed through dander and is then inhaled by the rest of the flock. There is no cure for this disease, and the only prevention once exposed is early vaccination. Give vaccine to one day old chicks.
• Newcastle Disease is a virus spread through infected chicken droppings and secretions from their mouth, nostrils, and eyes. Symptoms include respiratory difficulty, tremors, neck twisting, and death. Can cause flu symptoms and conjunctivitis in exposed humans. Vaccinate day old chicks to prevent this disease.
• Infectious Bronchitis vaccine should be given to 10 – 35 days of age. It can be given in their drinking water with Newcastle vaccine at this stage, or as an injection at 14-18 weeks.

Other vaccines are available but are only given if a problem arises in your flock.

Cleanliness

Your chickens coop and pens should be completely cleaned at least once a week. This will cut down on bacteria and other causes of illness significantly. Always make sure the food and water dishes are cleaned daily, and remove any unused food. Keep chicken feed in airtight, waterproof containers that rats can’t get in. If your chicken feed gets wet, replace it.

Using a movable coop or cage for your chickens is convenient and cuts down on the buildup of droppings. It also gives chickens fresh areas to forage for plant material, insects, and small pieces of grit. The bonus for chicken owners is that moving the pen around eliminates the bare, brown spots in the yard that are sure to occur with a non-movable pen.

Quality Food

Be sure to give your chickens the proper food for their age. Protein and carbohydrate needs vary with age. Supplement commercial chicken feed with greens and vegetables.

The healthiest chickens get to eat a wide variety of grains, seeds, and vegetables. They can have scraps from your salads and peelings from fruits and vegetables.
Don’t give them any meat products, or leftover salad that has dressing on it.

Signs of Illness

If one of your chickens has diarrhea, is sneezing, won’t get up to eat, or has drainage from its mouth, eyes, or nostrils, remove it from the rest of the flock and have it checked out. A chicken, like people, can get a cold. But until you know it’s safe, keep it separated.

Many chicken diseases can go through a flock quickly, and the first signs of illness are the same for many diseases. To know for sure whether or not you have a problem can be a simple look under the microscope, but many illnesses require a blood test.

Taking precautions to prevent illness is always easier and cheaper than having to diagnosis and find a cure for a sick flock.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/chicken-disease

Chicken Disease

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Chicken Disease

November 21, 2019   Comment  

If you suspect that one of your chickens is ill, immediately remove it from the vicinity of the flock. This is to help prevent any disease from spreading.

Each day when you feed and water your chickens do a visual inspection. Make sure there aren’t any chickens with dirty feathers around the anus that may signal diarrhea, and that their eyes and nostrils are clear with no drainage. Be aware of chickens that are reluctant to get up and walk. Decreased food and water intake or a slowdown in egg production can also be symptoms of illness.

Prevention

In order to prevent sickness in poultry there are four major considerations.

• Have your day old chicks vaccinated before they are shipped. In most hatcheries this is a nominal charge per chick and well worth the extra change. The vaccinations can save you a search for an avian veterinarian and exorbitant costs.
• Keep cages, food and water containers, and nesting areas clean. Regular cleaning keeps illness at bay, and can save a flocks demise from one ill chicken.
• Use chicken feed that contains low dose antibiotics for continuous protection against many bacterial infections.
• Use variety in feeding your flock to make sure they get a balance of vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates. When you are supplementing with veggies, don’t forget peelings from citrus fruits for vitamin C.

The combination of these preventions won’t guarantee a healthy flock, but it will go a long way in making sure your chickens immunity is at its best when disease comes along.

Some Common Chicken Diseases

Bronchitis symptoms are difficulty breathing (gasping), discharge from eyes and nares, avoidance of food and water. Increase the chicken’s ambient temperature by 5 degrees Fahrenheit, and give antibiotics.

Avian Flu symptoms are respiratory distress, diarrhea, and lack of interest in food, decreased egg laying. This disease goes through a flock quickly. Antibiotics, rest, and hope for the best is about all you can do. Broad spectrum antibiotic do sometimes work if the chickens immune system is strong before acquiring the disease. There is a vaccine available for chickens, but it is limited to qualifying flocks.

Infectious Sinusitis is a sinus infection that is considered chronic. The chickens present with sneezing, swollen nares, discharge from the nares and eyes. Antibiotics given through their food and water are very effective for this condition.

Bird Pox is sometimes called Chicken Pox but it is not the same as the human version. The chickens have congestion along with flesh that may look raw with warty type bumps. The most obvious appearance is on the legs. The vaccine for this disease is effective, but once the chickens have the disease there is no available treatment.

Eye Worms is a species of roundworm that your chickens can get from earthworms, crickets, flies or anything that has eaten the larva. Symptoms are swollen eyes with white discharge from the eyes and mouth. The white chunks are the larva of the mature worm. Worm your chickens at least every 6 months with a good broad spectrum wormer. If the larval symptom appears, clean and disinfect coop and pens. If you don’t kill the larva the cycle will keep repeating itself.

This is just a short selection of the more common chicken diseases, but prevention is always easier than the cure. Keep your chicken pens clean, provide vaccines, and pay special attention to nutritious food and clean water.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/chicken-disease

Chicken Coop Kits

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Chicken Coop Kits

November 21, 2019   Comment  

Chicken coop kits can be a great way to begin your backyard chicken farm if you are short on time or insecure about your ability with a hammer. The kits come complete with wood cut to specs, all hardware needed, and a set of plans. Some companies include everything down to a paintbrush.

Choosing your Kit

The size of the kit you buy should be directly related to the number of chickens you plan to house. A standard 4’x4’ coop will house 3-4 standard size hens comfortably. Each adult needs 4 square feet of space, and the 4’x4’ coop provides 16 square feet.

Of course you will need to provide some exercise area for the chickens to be able to get fresh air and sunshine, and to give them a chance to scratch around and just be “chickens”. This will require a chicken run be attached to the coop.

Most chicken coop kits do not include the chicken run area. It can be purchased separately, or you can add one yourself with a simple wood frame and some good gauge wire.

When you are purchasing your chicken coop kit, pay close attention to the specs on the coop. Some manufacturers will include space in their measurement that is not useable space for the chickens. In your home the square footage does not usually include bathrooms and closet space, and in a chicken coop nest boxes and roosting space should not be included as living space.

Query the manufacturer as to the type of wood used in their structures. Wood that has been pressure treated to prevent rot and termites can contain arsenic. Also, if you order a run with your chicken coop kit, make sure it won’t be outfitted with chicken wire. Chicken wire is easily torn through by neighborhood dogs and other predators.

Beginning Your Project

Once your new chicken coop kit arrives, check and count all materials and check them against the shippers manifest. This may seem silly to bring up, but many people forget to do this and find out halfway through the project that there are parts missing.

If you check the list and contact the manufacturer for replacements first, your blood pressure doesn’t go up nearly as much as when you are in the midst of the project and have to wait.

Pick a place for your chicken coop in your yard. Unless you ordered a movable “chicken tractor”, you will need a spot that is going to provide protection from the elements.

The chickens, like all creatures, will need some sunshine, but also need shade in the summer heat. If you live in a cold climate, you will want to take into consideration placement that will give some protection from the north wind.

Also plan for protection from the known predators in your area. A slide bolt is no match for a raccoon that smells chickens. Raccoons are smart; you may need to consider a padlock on your coop at night to protect against them.

Have Fun

Keeping chickens is a fast growing hobby. People find that chickens are great pets and pay for their keep in eggs. It is a lot of fun for the whole family and can even turn into a small business.

First time chicken buyers are amazed at the variety of beautifully feathered and exotic birds available, and what started as a hobby has become an obsession.
So make your first chicken coop kit the largest that you can afford. Your first chickens will appreciate the extra space, and a few chickens later it may become really crowded.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/chicken-coop-kits

Best Laying Chickens

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Best Laying Chickens

November 21, 2019   Comment  

What are the best laying chickens for your backyard flock? All chickens lay eggs, but some breeds egg production is better than others. If you need chickens that lay an egg everyday and have a long production period, there are three varieties to choose from.

White Leghorn

The White Leghorn is one of the most popular chicken breeds all over the world with good reason. Each Leghorn hen lays about 300 eggs per year. They mature early and can begin laying eggs by 4-5 months of age.

Their eggs are large and slightly off-white in color. They are flighty and will avoid human contact if possible, so they are not good candidates for chickens you want as pets.

White Leghorns are one of the best laying chickens but rarely go broody, so if you want to hatch out some eggs you will need another breed to set them or an incubator.

These chickens do well in hot climates, and their combs get frostbite in cold weather.

Rhode Island Red

One of the best laying chickens for brown eggs, but are known to be aggressive, especially the roosters.

These chickens adapt well to confinement, and are hardy in hot or cold climates, but are prone to frostbite on their combs.

The Rhode Island Reds are usually laying by 5-6 months of age and are prolific producers of medium brown eggs.

Red Star and Black Star Sex linked

This breed that has earned the status of best laying chickens, are prolific layers of large brown eggs. They are also docile and make good pet that can interact with children.

The conversion rate from feed to eggs is excellent in these hens, and they continue laying through cold winter months when a lot of other breeds of hens don’t. If you raise them from chicks, you can expect to see your first eggs when they are about 4.5 months old. By 6 months old they will be producing eggs every day.

The sex linked gene makes these chickens easy to sex at first glance at hatching, but they do not carry that trait on to their future generations. However, this trait makes it easy to not buy unwanted roosters.

This is a good choice for family projects, or a small business endeavor for selling eggs.

Roosters or No Roosters?

If you are only interested in egg production it is not necessary to house and feed roosters with your hens. You only need roosters if you want, or may want, fertile eggs. If you don’t intend to hatch baby chicks to sell or increase your flock size, there is no reason to waste feed on a rooster.

Productivity Limits of Hens

Most hens are all done producing eggs by the time they are 3-4 years old. By the time they are 3 you will see a decline in the number of eggs produced, and the laying will become erratic at best. These chickens can then be slaughtered and put in a pot for stews or chicken and dumplings.

Of course if your best laying chickens have become your friends you may just put them out to pasture for the good service they have provided.

Source: chickencoopplansonline.com/best-laying-chickens

What You Ought To Know About Different Chicken Breed

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What You Ought To Know About Different Chicken Breed

November 18, 2019   Comment  

As a general principle those who wish to maintain any pet animals should ensure that they are easily domesticated and are properly controlled. The same principle holds good even for maintaining pet chickens.

As all chicken breeds are not alike, it is important to choose a breed that is submissive in preference to the aggressive type and those that are averse to captivity. A pet chicken may not in all instances prove to be a good layer of eggs or even give a high-quality meat.

Most chicken breeds are generally small. The Rhode Island reds or whites will yield good quality eggs and are useful as pets because of their affable nature towards humans. It is essential to be aware that their fowls are habitually very belligerent and therefore should be avoided unless one can tolerate their aggression.

Except for their roosters, this breed is the ideal option as they are large and highly productive in laying eggs and therefore will ensure a constant supply of eggs in addition to serving as nice pets.

The Sussex breed is another excellent breed to serve as pets, particularly among backyard groups. It is tough, can withstand hostile conditions and become accustomed to confined places quite easily. The other breed that likes confinement is the Silkie and children are fond of its feathery features.

Apart from this, they like being touched and also do not object to breeding other birds’ chickens. A few chickens may be very beautiful in appearance, but may not be so pleasant. Another breed in this category is Wyandotte, which lay brown eggs.

The Polish breed is very attractive to watch with their striking tuff of feathers on their head. They are very amiable breed and lay very white eggs. As this breed can easily adjust to confined locations, they can be quite suitable as pets.

Another admired breed is the Plymouth Rock, which are known to be very affable and have attractive features. They are black in color with white stripes and lay brown eggs. They can be easily domesticated. Jersey Giant is an exceptional breed that is most suitable as pet. Although very large, Jersey Giant is very quiet and makes very good mother.

Their large build is an indication of the size of the eggs they lay. They are the largest known chicken breed and lay the largest brown chicken eggs. Another variety of breed is Cochins, which is very attractive and lays large brown eggs. Like Jersey Giant, it is also mild-mannered and can be a good mother.

Not only that, it is widely used for bird shows. Most of the chickens are generally suitable as very good pets. However, for the sake of chicks who may like to be very near their mother birds, it is essential to select a few of the friendly breeds that do not repel if baby birds touch them.

All fowls will be very gentle till their hormones start functioning and once they begin fighting and become so aggressive that baby birds cannot handle them. Moreover, Rooster will crow at the top of its voice at the beginning of dawn every day and those who cannot withstand that shrill sounds should not opt for them as pet chickens.

Source: easy-chicken-coop-plans.com/blog/breeding-chicken/different-chicken-breed/

What Takes To Raise Chicken At Home

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What Takes To Raise Chicken At Home

November 18, 2019   Comment  

As there seems to be no let down from the economic downturn, people are looking for ways to save money and alternative source of income. One of the best options is starting raising free range chickens.

There are many reasons why people opt for raising free range chickens, the first reason is that chickens especially free raise chickens are a very good source of endless supply of food. The biggest advantage is that it is very easy to raise the chickens as it does not require much room.

A person who is ambitious and lives in apartment can purchase a portable chicken coop and raise several chickens simultaneously. The only thing which has to be done regularly is to take these chickens out several times for sunlight, food, exercise.

Now what actually is the meaning of free range, it simply means that the chickens are allowed to roam freely and consume food that are natural to their diet. Chickens normally eat many things in addition to their normal feed; it is insects, worms, and various types of greenery.

The high quality food ensures that the free chickens lay quality eggs which are high in nutritional value than the ones which are available in the stores. Free range chicken eggs contain twice the amount of Vitamin E, six times more of Vitamin A with less saturated fat and have four times more of omega-3 fatty acids.

The cholesterol level is also half as compared to the factory raised hens. The meat of free raised chickens is healthier than the factory raised chickens. The first important step to raise the free range chickens is to mark a place which can be used as home before the arrival of the chickens.

You will have to use coops to protect the chickens while they roost at night. You must buy a coop which provides sufficient space for the comfortable movement and also the number of chickens you want to raise.

You will also have to arrange additional feed if the natural feed is not available in your area. It would be as per the location of your home, whether you need any fencing or not, as you will have to arrange sufficient space for the free movement of chickens.

Once you have arranged the necessary equipment, you will have to buy some chicks from the dealer, ensure that you buy the best and proper chickens which are free from diseases. There are many varieties available, some are bred to produce more breast meat and others are bred for the laying the quality eggs.

It would be entirely your choice, what type of chickens you intend to raise, you need eggs or meat. Once you have brought some chicks, you will have to keep them in brooder until they have grown enough to go outside.

Raising free range chickens could also be a additional source of income, you will not be able to consume all the eggs and can sell surplus produce. The best quality hen lays eggs daily which are sufficient to feed one person. If you have four to five hens, you will have extra eggs which you can sell or give to your family or friends.

This is a lucrative business and a very good hobby also; you can get more information to raise free range chickens using many sources. These birds are really easy to raise them, you need minimum medical attention. All you need is your true dedication.

Source: easy-chicken-coop-plans.com/blog/breeding-chicken/what-takes-to-raise-chicken-at-home/

The Challenges Of Making Your Own Chicken Coop

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The Challenges Of Making Your Own Chicken Coop

November 18, 2019   Comment  

To build anything is a challenge, more so if what you’re contemplating to construct is a chicken coop. But that doesn’t mean that you’re not going to succeed in your sincere endeavors to build a chicken housing.

In fact, raising chickens is one of the best options you can try these days. While on one hand you can stop relying on outside sources for eggs when you have your own coop, you can also be sure that what you get are “healthy” eggs, on the other. Not to forget the fact that chickens also turn out to be terrific pets, enabling you to derive a lot of pleasure during your free time.

What is of utmost importance is the need to ensure that the chicken coop you plan to build works to a perfect plan so that you’ve a good home as the end product. It’s imperative to bear in mind that it is in the coop you build the chickens are going to do everything, from remaining healthy and safe to laying eggs.

If you think buying a coop that is already prefabricated is a better choice than building one, it means you’re thoroughly mistaken and carry a wrong notion. When you plan how to build your coop, you enjoy several advantages, primary among them being building it to suit your brood of chickens.

More than anything, you’re going to save a substantial amount of money when you build a chicken coop than preferring to purchase one. Having said that, you must also be sure that you don’t commit the common mistakes which many others generally come across when building a chicken coop.

A perfect plan, an ideal sketch on your proposed design, collection of right materials, selecting the proper place, and being patient are the five important factors that are going to determine if you’re going to emerge successful in your efforts to construct a chicken coop. Any failure on your part to strictly adhere to these conditions may destroy your plans, and lead to inaccuracy.

That’s why it’s very important to gain the right kind of tips and advice before you actually venture out with your ideas to build a chicken coop. To start with, make sure that you plan things well in advance so that you’re not found wanting in the critical moment.

For instance, you must know well in hand how many chickens are going to be accommodated in your coop, the size of the chickens, the number and size of nests you propose to have in the coop, and how you wish to feed your flock of friends.

Once you find answers to such vital questions you can set the process rolling toward building a coop that you dream about. Similarly, having a clear design to implement your thoughts will prove quite effective. You really don’t have to be a professional to draw the various angles of your coop in the first place.

Remember, it’s wise to have a simple design initially because that leaves you with the scope of improving your coop at a later stage through redesigning. Having all the materials required for the job at your disposal is critical to carrying on the construction of a chicken coop without any interruption.

Ensure that you select the best place available for building your coop. Remember, chickens require sufficient space to move around, which means you must locate the coop in a reasonably spacious area, where enough sunlight and shade can be guaranteed. Above all, it’s very important for you to remain patient from the word ‘go’ if you’re really keen to complete the project according to a plan.

Source: easy-chicken-coop-plans.com/blog/breeding-chicken/the-challenges-of-making-your-own-chicken-coop/

Raising Free Range Chickens – The Good & The Bad

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Raising Free Range Chickens – The Good & The Bad

November 18, 2019   Comment  

When you decide to raise free range chickens by allowing them to wander freely you must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of it. Then you should compare the advantages over the disadvantages.

By compelling forces if you allow chickens to roam freely and leave them to feed themselves it is just like permitting them to live in surroundings that is similar to their natural living. May be sometimes you do not even pick the eggs or kill and eat them, but still it is free range. The main reason for allowing free range chickens to roam freely is chickens living on vegetable matters are more healthy and having better eggs.

Comparatively the meat and eggs of free range chickens are better than that of factory raised chickens. The reason for this is particularly due to their natural living by which they feed on greens, worms and other bugs. So there is no chance of any kind of chemicals entering into their system.

Chickens raised for business purposes usually grow fast within six weeks by feeding on rich food and produce large eggs. These types of chickens are raised in limited surroundings without getting proper exercises or even adequate sunlight. As a result their eggs and meat are tasteless and often become a subject of debate on their adverse effects on human body.

When you are raising free range chickens on vegetation you would have to consider many things. The prime thing is that you must feed them full of grains that are original without containing any chemical contents. Prior to feeding, you can prepare a mixed organic feed taking utmost care that it does not contain any impurities.

Another important factor for raising free range chickens is the amount of space provided for them to roam. They prefer to wander searching their own food instead of feeding on the whole grains or premixed organic feed you give them. So it is important to have a wide area for them to forage for sufficient food.

Unfortunately if you do not have enough space, but you are particular about raising free range chicks you keep only a few number of birds. For growing free range chickens, a space of 12 to 15 square feet is ideal for each chicken. Moreover a qualified free range bird should spend two hours or more outside every day. The more hours would be better.

Another important consideration you should take when raising chickens is not to expose them to any kind of danger. Danger means it can be any form of extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, high temperature etc.

Also beware of dangers from possibility of other animals which prey on the chickens such as foxes, snakes, raccoons and hawks. In order to protect them from the harsh weather conditions the chicken coop should have proper shielding to keep them indoors comfortably.

To keep them safe against predator, construct a boundary wall of the chicken run with wire mesh having at least one foot underground and the top also covered with wire mesh strongly.

Source: easy-chicken-coop-plans.com/blog/breeding-chicken/raising-free-range-chickens/

DIY Cheap Chicken Coops

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DIY Cheap Chicken Coops

November 15, 2019   Comment  

DIY Cheap Chicken Coops is aimed at the person who has an interest in undertaking the venture as a hands-on project and so save money. By involving the family, unity is created and an activity undertaken whereby the children benefit from the experience in a myriad of ways. The end result is not only the self satisfaction of building a worthwhile asset but the rewards for the entire household having Farm Fresh organic wholesome eggs on a regular basis is also not to be overlooked.

Having decided that you would like to build yourself a chicken coop, and, you don’t want to spend a lot of money, before you rush into this project a little prior investigation and research could be of huge benefit in the long run and save you many heart aches later. But you have already commenced on the initial investigation, as that is how you came to this site – so good on you!

Building a backyard chicken coop and doing the work your self has many benefits:

• The self satisfaction when the project is complete.
• The money you will save by Doing It Yourself.
• If the children are involved it becomes a family affair and it gets the kids outdoors, as well as teaching them about animal husbandry and something they can brag about to their friends and school mates.
• The ultimate prize – absolutely fresh wholesome eggs which are free of chemicals – a truly organic experience!

First, check with the local authorities to find out if you are permitted to keep chickens in your locality. Your neighbours may already have done this if there are others keeping chickens. Ask your immediate neighbours if they have any objections to you having a chicken coop, it is best to get this thing sorted out before you start spending time and money.

If all is in order to this stage decide on the type of chicken coop you would like and how many hens would suit your requirements for fresh eggs. You could start with a small very portable unit or a slightly bigger one with wheels – often called a chicken house tractor. And then there are the various sizes of permanently constructed chook houses. Obviously the size of your block and the area you can allocate is going to influence this aspect. Keep in mind that chickens naturally like to get out and scratch around in the dirt and at the same time they can assist in controlling some of the unwanted garden pests like various bugs and grasshoppers and even weeds. But be careful to not let them near your veggie patch or flower gardens as they will demolish these in a very short space of time!

Decide on the materials that are cheaply available in the area and are within the budget you have allocated to this project. As you do not want to build an eyesore you obviously need a plan. There are heaps of plans available on the internet, but I must admit I found this one – Chicken DIY Guide a very good deal as it not only provides plans for what ever size chicken coop you want to build, but gives excellent notes and instructions for keeping and feeding chickens, building to keep out predators and vermin, cleaning and maintenance and so on, so that you end up with happy healthy chickens which provide your household with fresh wholesome eggs on a regular basis. But the guide goes even further by providing information on rearing chickens and even incubating and associated chicken husbandry methods, should you wish to develop your hobby to the next level!

So get out have lots of fun, enjoy the experience and reap the superb benefits from your DIY Cheap Chicken Coops.

Source: diycheapchickencoops.com/diy-cheap-chicken-coops

Why Choose a Small Chicken Coop Over a Larger One?

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Why Choose a Small Chicken Coop Over a Larger One?

November 15, 2019   Comment  

The practice of using a small chicken coop rather than a larger one is becoming more popular. There are several reasons why these coops are gaining in popularity. One reason is because hectic, busy lifestyles are better suited for these kinds of coops.

The reason cited most often for having smaller coops is because they’re not as hard to keep in a sanitary condition as the larger coops are. With a smaller coop, once the chickens are out of it, the coop can be cleaned in a shorter amount of time. There won’t be much (if any) scrubbing to do after the coop is washed down with the garden hose.

Cost is another reason the smaller coop wins out over the bigger one. They’re not as expensive to build because there isn’t the need for all the lumber larger coops need in order to construct them.

There’s a smaller amount of hardware to be used and a smaller area needed for ventilation. A smaller coop can be put together in a day versus the length of time it takes to build a standard size coop.

Because of the size, smaller chicken coops can be kept in nearly any location where they’re allowed. Even a condominium with what’s commonly called a postage stamp backyard has room enough to support the existence of a small chicken coop. With a smaller coop, if you build it in one area of your yard but notice a problem with that area, a smaller coop is a lot easier to move than a larger one.

Small chicken coops are great for people who want to have chickens but don’t have the time or the space to give to larger coops. Not only are these scaled down versions of bigger coops easier to maintain, easier to repair when something needs to be fixes, but they also make it easier for the owners to provide food and water for the chickens.

For someone who wants to have more than four chickens, smaller coops are not a good option. These coops are specifically meant for no more than five or six chickens – maximum. If you want to have chickens specifically to make money from selling eggs, it’s better to go with the larger choice.

These coops are built with material just as sturdy as the bigger coops and are meant to last just as long. The small chicken coop is not an inferior version of the larger chicken coops, but rather a scaled down version.

The smaller coops operate much like the larger ones. They offer shelter, a place to nest and safety from natural enemies. If you’ve always wanted to have chickens but assumed you’d have to stick with the larger coops, now you know you don’t have to.

Source: diychickencoopsplans.com/why-choose-a-small-chicken-coop-over-a-larger-one/