How to Build a Chicken Coop

Building chicken coops has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. One reason being it is not difficult at all to setup and to maintain. Before anyone begin building chicken coops, size is very crucial element to consider as you're about to find out.

For beginners, how to build a chicken coop is no small task. It is a good idea to start small. Aside from being easier and faster to build, it is also cheaper and easier to maintain. Not to mention easier to clean! When you are more experienced, you can build bigger ones. Beginning with a smaller coop prevents you from being overwhelmed.

In deciding the size of the coop, another important consideration is your available yard space. Make sure it allows for a decent sized coop. Also, make sure there is adequate space surrounding the chicken coop as to allow you to build a fence around it to prevent predators from breaking into the coop and harming your precious chickens.

If you definitely must start with a bigger chicken coop, it is very important to have a well thought out plan and be prepared to put in the necessary effort and time. If you're not prepared then the resulting coop will most definitely be of poor quality.

When building chicken coops, size is one of the most crucial element. You should decide based on the size of the yard, the number of the chickens, and your budget. Smaller sized coops are cheaper and easier to manage and clean.

The quantity of chickens you have or plan to have is a big consideration in building your chicken coop. A rule of thumb is a bare minimum of four square feet per chicken. That way, your chickens will be well-fed and comfortable. If you have a large space for your coop, seven to nine square feet per chicken would be optimal. If you only have two to four chickens, a small-sized coop will do. Six to eight chickens, a medium-sized coop. Ten or more chickens, a big-sized coop. A typical, big-sized coop is approximately 145 square feet.

As the size of your flock grows, you should increase the size of your coop accordingly. A small, constricted space is not healthy for your chickens. They should have enough space to move about. If they are crowded, cannibalism can be an issue.

One more thing, the size of your coop should not only be proportional to the number of chickens, but also on the size of the chickens. Small coops for smaller chickens. Medium coops for medium sized chickens. And big coops for the big chickens.

As to the size of the individual nesting boxes, 18 - 24 inches in diameter is enough. About three to five nests for 18 - 20 chickens. A rule of thumb is about five chickens per nest. A space of 35 square feet is plenty.

Want to learn how to build a chicken coop for the first time? It's important to have a sound, solid plan. Two of the most important things to consider when building a chicken coop are easy maintenance and safe for chickens. Read on to find out more.

While building a chicken coop is no simple attainment for a newbie, it is strongly recommended to begin with a smaller sized coop. Not merely will it be simpler to build with less resources, but it also will be better to maintain and clean. When you gain experience, you can always build a larger coop while adding additional chickens. Beginning with a little chicken coop will basically stop you from getting overwhelmed too fast.

Easy Maintenance Is Best

One of the obligatory evils of owning a chicken coop is the requirement for it to be cleaned continually. Illness and diseases can spell disaster to coop bound chickens. Cleaning your chicken coop should be as simple as feasible, particularly if you intend to clean it a lot. This will save you time and cash in the long term. These are some design elements you can include into your coop to make it simple to maintain and clean. Slope the bottom floor downwards, toward the front door. When cleaning the floor, the water will speedily run out of the coop rather than puddling in the middle. Confirm doors and windows are straightforward to open and close, unpolluted air will help quicken the drying process - and allows for less complicated cleaning.

You need to also position the coop so that it hits the sun constantly. This can not only help in cold seasons, but help in the drying process.

Safety Of The Chickens

Best Locations

Depending on the dimensions of your property, the best location for building your chicken coop is away from your house. The most evident reason is smell, however other things like contamination of water, attraction of bugs and low stress areas are other points to consider. Keeping your flock away from water sources like outdoor taps and sprinkler heads serve a dual purpose. First keeping your chicken coop and pen free from moisture minimizes chances for illness. Diseases can happen where moisture and unsanitary living setup are present. Moisture increases these opportunities particularly in nesting areas where salmonella can form on eggs. Moisture may also be displaced from the local area of your pen to other areas of your property thru seepage or draining.

This will expose other pets and even humans from waste from your flock. Excess moisture can also attract bugs and inspire breakouts of bugs like lice and mites. Reducing exposure to excess moisture offers a cleaner living space which ultimately will maintain continuous egg production.

Protection From Predators

Aside from diseases, your chickens also need protection from predators. These predators can be rats, racoons, dogs, cats, wild birds, etc.. In choosing the materials in building the coop, only use quality and sturdy materials. Solid wood and thick wire mesh comes to mind. Make sure the door and windows are properly and securely installed to keep the predators away.

There you go, tips on how to build a chicken coop that is easy to maintain and safe for your chicks.