DIY-Build a Chicken Coop In Three Days

You should make sure you are happy with the design and that it will suit the needs of your chickens and the number you end up with. There must be a perch for them to sleep on and a nesting box. These are the basics. Very importantly, ensure that your security is good and that you have all entrances in and out covered. If there's a way in, a crafty fox will work it out. Rats and badgers can also be a problem.

Ventilation is also imperative with the best place being at the top of the house. Remember, chickens aren't happy with wet and windy conditions. And good ventilation will prevent future problems with any ammonia build-up caused by the chickens' droppings.

You will need about one nesting box per 4 chickens as they will take it in turns to lay. NEVER use hay on the floor of the nesting box as this can cause serious health problems if mould occurs. Dust-free wood shavings, shredded paper, etc will be fine. Although it's a real chore cleaning the chickens' droppings out from the chicken house, this must be done regularly. TIP. Whether building or buying a chicken house, try and get one that allows you to take the inside of the house apart so that you can remove the inner fittings for ease of use and constant cleaning. Regular upkeep of the chicken house will be so beneficial in the long run. If you follow this easy to use guide, it is more than possible to have your chicken house built within 3 days.DIY-ChickenHouse In 3 Days

IF YOU HAVE A LOW BUDGET- NO PROBLEM, NO FANCY TOOLS REQUIRED

HOW TO EASILY TURN YOUR COOP INTO A FREE-RANGE STYLE ENCLOSURE

HOW TO BUILD THE RIGHT SIZED CHICKEN COOP TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS

HOW TO EASILY BREED CHICKENS AND LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE BABY CHICKS SO YOU HAVE A SELF-SUSTAINING FLOCK

HOW TO CHOOSE THE CORRECT BREED OF CHICKEN DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE

HOW TO MAKE A NESTING BOX FROM FOOD PACKAGING YOU WOULD NORMALLY THROW AWAY

AND SO MUCH MORE

DIY-ChickenHouse In 3 Days

Sky News presenter Kay Burley, who has more than 30 years' experience in journalism, has confirmed a growing trend by joining the green set. She admits that it's tough, but, to accompany her vegetable patch, she has now added a chicken run. After carrying out the obligatory Google search for some real information, Kay approached her local council which advised against having a cockerel. Fair play really as she considered her neighbours' likely reaction to being woken up early every morning.

Undoubtedly, that wouldn't have gone down too well even if she'd taken a little tip from a gentleman from Environmental Health who recommended that dropping off a few freshly laid eggs to the neighbours every now and again might stand her in good stead. Kay confesses she found it hard to watch the hens sort out their pecking order and had an even more unpleasant ordeal when she added six former battery hens to her existing brood. It just wasn't nice. She says the "new additions looked more like oven-ready birds than Rhode Island Reds and were shell-shocked by their experience." It seems they were totally "overwhelmed" when seeing the sky and feeling the rain for the first time as she introduced them to their new way of life. Kay is still learning in her bid for a greener lifestyle, but she's loving every moment of it.

All groups of chickens will have a pecking order. This will establish who is going to boss the group. If there is a single cockerel, he will automatically be at the top of the list with all the females following behind him in an orderly queue. The chickens themselves will sort out their own order in what can only be described at times as vicious squabbling and pecking. If there is a large group of chickens, the longer the squabbling will go on. It's wise not to get involved and not to take any chickens out that you may feel sorry for as this can disturb the process and cause the squabbling to go on much longer. A few days is usually all it takes to sort out their natural pecking order, enabling them to live in harmony with each other.

Chickens are not very fond of water. So, instead of taking a bath in water, they like to take dust baths. They like to keep their feathers in good condition so they also stroke themselves with their beaks. When chickens aren't feeding or exercising, they enjoy taking a nap by perching above the ground on a branch or pole. Most times the chickens stand on one leg. The muscles lock into place so, when they are resting, they won't fall off the perch. DIY-ChickenHouse In 3 Days

If you run your chicken house with a cockerel, then your chickens will lay fertilised eggs. The hen will probably go broody in the spring or summer and lay some eggs; around 9-15 is normal, after which she will spend the next 21 days sitting on them. A broody hen should be kept in a separate house from the rest of the chickens. During this incubation period, she will be regularly turning her eggs, making sure each one has an equal amount of heat. She will most likely only leave her nest for about half an hour a day to feed, drink and have a dust bath.

If you decide not to have a cockerel, then fertilised eggs can still be bought quite cheaply. You can choose whether you want to lay them under a broody hen or use an incubator. If you use an incubator, the eggs might take just a little longer to hatch. DIY-ChickenHouse In 3 Days

Variety is important for chickens. They are instinctively good at foraging; in fact they are expert foragers. Given the right environment, they will eat insects, worms, grass and other greenery. It is important, however, that you make sure your laying hens are given the right balance of vitamins and minerals, protein and carbohydrates. Food for fully grown laying chickens is called layers pellets or layers mash. And a fully-grown laying hen will need about 130grms of feed a day. This food is a mixture of maize, oats, barley and wheat. Good quality food will also contain other kinds of protein and soya.

It is very important that your chickens have a supply of fresh clean water. You should refill their container every day and, in especially hot or cold weather, check it at least twice daily to ensure the hens have water to drink. On a hot day a single chicken can drink around 500mls of water. You can use either plastic or metal containers - look for ones that prevent the chickens from being able to tip the water out or stand in it. And make sure they are durable and easy to clean.

Chickens' claws help also help them pick out their food from the ground. They tear out weeds and gently dig for something to eat. Many farmers take advantage of this and make sure the birds tear out weeds that are in the way of what the landowner needs to get to.

Chickens aren't very picky when choosing what to eat so just giving them some leftovers from lunch is a very nice treat. It's very important for chickens to get enough calcium which helps to form a harder eggshell. A good amount of calcium for a hen will lead to healthy newborn chicks or yummy eggs which, in turn, lead to a happy farmer. DIY-ChickenHouse In 3 Days

Try For 60 Days 100% Risk-Free Guaranteed

If for any reason whatsoever you feel that Building a Chicken Coop is not a worthwhile investment, there is a FULL 60-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE So you can be 100% assured your purchase is risk-free. DIY-ChickenHouse In 3 Days

"If you are considering keeping chickens in
your back yard, you must read this book..."

"...If you are considering keeping chickens in your back yard, you must read this book. Whether you have a tiny courtyard or acres to play with, Keene's advice will stand you in good stead and help you build the right chicken coop. The focus of the book is on being well-prepared for your flock before they even arrive. Keene ensures that you consider every issue before you spend a cent on birds, feed or equipment. He discusses which species is appropriate for your garden, what they should eat and, as the title suggests, how you should house them. Anyone with basic do-it-yourself tools and a patch of land could follow his instructions. The drawings and diagrams are easy to interpret and the lists of materials and tools needed are very helpful. Keene also appreciates that the value of using recycled materials in your chicken coop - cheap and environmentally friendly. Keene encourages responsible husbandry - his reminder of tasks to be completed weekly, monthly and sixth monthly should be replicated onto the calendar of any careful poultry keeper. The level of detail is just right, from a list of the color of the egg you might expect from you hen to a description of healthy hen's poop! If you follow his tips, your happy hens will be very productive. Next we need a cookbook for ideas to use up all the spare eggs..." Tracyann - Amateur Chicken Farmer - Devon, United Kingdom

If you're interested in learning more on how to care for, and raise Baby Chicks CLICK HERE Caring For Baby Chicks

If you're interested in reading and learning more on the basics of Erecting a Chicken House CLICK HERE How To Erect A Chicken House