Chicken Coop Kits

A backyard flock of chickens can be easily begun with a chicken coop kit, especially if you're short on time. The kits are complete, with wood cut to specs, all hardware needed, and a set of building plans. Some companies even include everything right down to a paintbrush.

Choosing your Kit

How large your kit is will be determined by the number of hens you plan to house. A standard 4'x4' coop will house 3-4 hens of normal size. Each adult chicken needs about four square feet of space and you can figure square footage by multiplying the number of feet (4'x4' = sixteen square feet).

Of course you will need to provide an exercise area for the chickens so they can get fresh air and sunshine, and also to give them a chance to scratch around and just be "hens". This will mean a chicken run attached to the coop.

The run is not often included in the kit, however. The run can sometimes be purchased separately or you can add one yourself using a simple wood frame and good wire.

When purchasing a kit, be aware of its specs. Space not necessarily usable by the chickens may be included in the manufacturer's measurements. For instance, in your home, square feet of "living space" does not usually include bathrooms and closets. In a coop, nest boxes and roosting space should not be included as living area.

Ask the manufacturer about the type of wood used in their structures. Presure-treated wood that is proof against termites will often have arsenic in it. If your kit includes a run, be sure the walls of the run are not made of chicken wire. Chicken wire can easily be torn through by neighborhood dogs and other predators.

Beginning Your Project

Once your new chicken coop kit arrives, count all materials against the shippers manifest. It is better to catch a problem now than to find out halfway through your project that you are missing parts.

If you check the list and find something wrong before you begin building, your blood pressure does not go up nearly as much.

Be sure you consider the chicken coop's location in your yard carefully. Unless you are using a movable "chicken tractor", you will need a place that is going to provide protection from the elements.

Like all creatures, chickens need sunshine, but also shade in the summer heat. If your cliamte is cold, you'll want to take into consideration a coop placement that will give some protection from the north wind.

Think about protection from the known predators in your area as well. Slide bolts and simple locks are no match for a raccoon that smells chicken. Raccoons are intelligent, so you may need to use a padlock on your coop at night to keep them out.

Have Fun

Backyard chicken keeping is becoming a popular hobby. Chickens can be both great pets and a source of fresh eggs. It is a lot of fun for the entire family and can even turn into a great small business.

First-time chicken keepers are often surprised at the variety of birds available.

Make your first coop the largest you can afford (in cost and space). Your first hens will appreciate the extra space, and a few chickens later it may become really crowded.

If you are better with tools yourself, you could also try chicken coop plans.