How to Build a Chicken Coop
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.
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.
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
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
