Before you build poultry coops or henhouses......

Water Location
Henhouses should be as close as possible to water source as chickens need free access for water all day. A large waterer will keep them supplied all day but is heavy to carry a long way and water will spill in a barrow or cart. So run a hose if possible to the henhouses.

Electricity
The poultry coops should have electricity to run light to the coop in the winter to give 14 hours of light to keep the hens laying year round. Also in colder climates a source of electricity to heat water in the winter make life much easier so you are not replacing the water multiple times in the day as it freezes.

Feeders
If automatic or self filling you will save a lot of work while the birds get free access to feed. You can fill once a week or so, taking you less time a day for care. Weather and pest proof feeders are a great idea if the henhouses space is limited. The feeder can go out in the run but don't need moving inside and out daily.

Wind protection
The henhouses windows need to be covered to eliminate drafts in Winter to cut down on drafts. Chickens have an insulating layer of downy feathers that keep them warm as long as they trap the warmed air over the chickens skin. A cold wind or draft replaces the warm layer with cold air and the chickens get chilled.

Food Storage bins
Build or place close to the poultry coops. If possible have them where you can drive to the henhouses for transfer and storage as feed bags are heavy. If this is not possible use a dolly cart to save your back. Make sure the storage bins are waterproof and pest proof. A simple wheeled garbage pail with pest proof lid works very well for us.

Size
Big henhouses will not only allow lots of space for your hens but will save you rebuilding if you get more chickens. Chickens are endearing pets and people always want more!

Predator Safe
In locations with large predators or neighbourhood dogs, it is false economy to use hexagonal chicken wire on your chickens coops or runs. It will not keep them out and keep your birds safe. You will eventually replace it with welded wire or hardware cloth (we use 1'') when something gets to your birds. The only thing harder than building the run is taking all that wire off. We have done it and it will cut up your hands! Also predators dig so any area where the chickens are at night need a wire floor or buried wire in the perimeter.

Feeder height
Having your henhouses feeders at the right height, will make the hens more comfortable and give less wasted spoiled food. Level with the back or breast of the birds will be more comfortable. You will be happier with less mess and spilled feed and rodents looking for it.

Roosts
Chickens prefer roosts wider than 2 inches. In cold weather they can fluff-up to cover and insulate their feet when roosting. Roosts can be flat 2 by 4s or even wider tree branches. Make sure they will not be roosting over feeders, waterers or nest boxes and have at least a foot of distance from any walls.

Watch your Poultry Coops Budget
Check around for supplies, Habitat for humanity, Freecycle, Craigslist, Kijiji. Well built is more important than brand new as you can see in the You tube video. Having the better wire to keep the birds safe is way more important than new wood.

Click here for Building Chickens Coops Information. They are easily built by non-handymen!

Full color step-by-step scale plans

--How to build large premium henhouses that are easy to clean, automatically collect eggs and allow you to maintain up to 50 laying hens
--The 6 critical things you must have before you even think about starting to build poultry coops
--Simple tips on how to set-up your building site and select your materials that will make building quick, easy and affordable.

Blueprints for Chickens Coops