HOW TO BUILD A BACKYARD CHICKEN COOP ~ EASY CHICKEN COOP PLANS, TIPS, HEN HOUSE PHOTOS AND MORE!

There are a variety of different chicken coops that you can build, but understanding which one is going to best fit your needs is important for getting optimal results. If you spend the money on a chicken house, it only makes sense that it needs to match your individual needs, so getting started on the right foot is important.

There are some main factors that you should take into consideration before deciding what type of coop to build. The following guidelines will lead you down the right path to choosing wisely and being fully satisfied with your new chicken coop once it's built.

Size

Possibly one of the most important factors that will need to be looked at is the size of chicken coop you want to build. There's small, medium, and large plans for the chicken coops, each which accommodates a certain number of chickens.

The biggest mistake you can make is trying to cram too many chickens into your coop. Because each chicken requires so much area to feel comfortable and lay eggs properly, you'll really want to make sure you're choosing your size wisely.

It's always better to error on the size of being too big than being too small, plus then you can always add more birds to the chicken coop if you want later on.

Portable Versus Fixed

The next question you should ask yourself is whether you want your chicken coop to be portable or if you preferred one that's fixed instead. Portable chicken coops give you the advantage of being able to move it around to wherever you are, so if you're someone who likes to keep the chickens as pets, this makes for a very attractive option.

Also, having a mobile chicken coop allows for easier maintenance since you can simply move the chicken coop to wherever you need to clean it.

On the other hand, if you're looking for something with a little more structural integrity than you'll likely be better off choosing a fixed chicken house since these will be built sturdier so that they are able to withstand wear and tear.

Protection

Factor in protection from predators as you make your decision what type of chicken coop to make as well. Ideally you should have a very solid fencing system to keep all varieties of predators out. This will have to be built to match the size of the coop you're building as well.

Appearance

Finally, think about the overall appearance of what you want your chicken coop to look like. There are a number of different ways you can build the chicken coop which will impact the overall design of the chicken coop. This will also likely influence the cost of the building process, so it's something to think about and work within your budget.

There are definitely cheaper methods to build your chicken coop so understanding the different things that will influence the cost is the first step to making a smart decision.

So, be sure you're factoring these points in as you decide which type of chicken coop you wish to build. Getting the information up front before you start to build will help save you hundreds of dollars over the long run.

I'd like to talk a little more specifically about the building materials for your chicken coop. This is going to make a big impact on how much money you spend on the chicken coop in total so understanding the different types of materials will be vital to making an informed decision.

Many individuals do have a tendency to think you need a lot of expensive materials to successfully build a chicken coop, however this is not the case at all. Chicken coops can be made from a variety of different materials including such things as an old shed, scrap lumber, PVC pipes, 50 gallon barrels, or other recycled materials you may have around the house already.

Usually wood is the most common material used to build the chicken coop however it's also the priciest, so you'll have to weight the pros versus the cons. If you want your chicken coop to last for years and years to come, it may be a good idea to invest in a wooden coop to ensure that it does withstand various climate changes.

Keep in mind with this though that wood varieties will also vary in price and that will influence your decision, so looking at the different types of wood is also important.

If you are thinking about just building a smaller coop, you might even be able to get away with using recycled timber instead. Asking around for scrap pieces of wood can also be one way to locate some materials to use, but bear in mind if you're going to go this route there is a higher chance you'll have to pull some nails and may wind up with a chicken coop that isn't exactly matching. If you're really looking for the absolute most cost effective method though, then it's likely something that you will want to think about and consider.

So, before you rush out to buy whatever you think you need for building supplies, give some careful consideration to this first. It's important that you have a firm understanding about building materials for your chicken house before you even get going. In some cases it can get hard to start with a certain type of material and then switch over halfway through, even between the different types of woods, therefore getting it all figured out before you begin will be your best bet.

After you've figured out the basics for constructing your actual chicken coop, then comes thinking about the accessories you can add to the coop to increase the chances of a high amount of fresh eggs every morning and enhance your chicken's comfort level.

There are a number of different accessories you can add to your chicken coop, and the decision of which you will add will be a personal preference. It's important to get the basics covered however since they will be vital for your coop's health.

Here are some of the main ones to consider.

Feeders

Choosing a good chicken feeder to include in your chicken coop will give them easy access to food to ensure they're eating properly. This will be important for their overall growth and egg development, so make sure you're building a good quality feeder.

Also look at the specific height you place the feeder in the house as this too can influence how comfortably their able to get at their food.

Nesting Boxes

You can get chicken nesting boxes in a variety of different shapes and sizes and can build them out of many common materials you have around the house such as a large plastic pale or an old wooden box. You should use one nesting box for 2-4 hens that you have and they should be relatively dark inside.

It's also smart to build the top of the nesting box on a bit of an angle to discourage them from sleeping on top of the box.

Waterer

Having a good chicken waterier inside the coop will help ensure your chickens have a good supply of fresh water on a regular basis. With this again you can use many items you have right around the house to help cut down on the cost and make it more convenient for you.

If you are building a larger sized chicken coop it will be a good idea to include two wateriers if you can to give your chickens a bit more access to fresh water when they need it.

Perches

Finally, the last thing you should think about is adding a good chicken perch to your coop. This will help ensure your chickens are getting a comfortable night's sleep so they are better able to lay their eggs.

Like the waterier, be sure you're providing enough perches for the chickens so they don't have to fight for room. Also make sure your perches are wide enough to comfortably fit the chickens since as they grow they will likely need a bit more room to sleep comfortably.

So, keep these accessories in mind. You always want to make sure you're building your chicken house with enough room to add these accessories while still allowing for plenty of space to move around. Having an overcrowded chicken coop will severely limit the total eggs you produce so this isn't something to take lightly.

Since you've put in a good effort getting your coop up and running, it would be a shame to let it start to disintegrate over time due to lack of care. Fortunately, maintaining and repairing a chicken coop isn't all that difficult provided you stay on top of things regularly.

Here are some of the main things you should know about.

Pay Attention To The Door

Since the door is one area of the coop that's going to be constantly moving as you go in and out to feed the chickens, it's something you'll want to watch and maintain regularly. If the latch is becoming loose, be sure you fix this immediately so your chickens don't find a way to escape.

If you find that you're regularly having issues with it, you may want to consider either replacing the door altogether or else just finding a more secure latch and being sure it's bolted to the door properly.

Each farmer will have their own preference when it comes to the opening door so figure out what works best for you.

Regularly Check Your Fence

Another aspect of the chicken house that should be monitored at least once a month is the structure of the fence. If you do have predators that come around frequently, they may attempt to get in which can impact the stableness of your fence, calling for some rebuilding if necessary.

Some fences are also quite prone to falling over after so much time, so walk around and test various areas of the fence to see how well it's standing up still.

Check The Feeders

Keeping a close eye on the feeders located in the chicken coop is also vital since these will be used on a daily basis. In some cases if the feeders are very beat up it could be a signal you should consider installing another one into the coop as the chickens may be constantly fighting over food and picking at the feeder.

You also want to watch how your chickens are responding to the feeder height. In some cases you'll get chickens who prefer a feeder to be slightly lower or higher than how you placed it, so adjusting this as time goes in is important for the overall comport of your chickens.

Usually it just needs to be adjusted an inch or two, but this makes a huge difference in how easily they can access their food.

So, don't neglect the maintenance of your backyard chicken coop.