Planning for a Small Chicken Coop

Proper housing for your flock of backyard chickens requires space in your yard for a coop and fenced-in area called the 'run'. Chickens need a small shed-like structure for protection against the rain, cold and predators.

Locate a small chicken coop and run in a protected area, out of direct sun and windy drafts. Select a building site that is also away from neighbors; chickens are noisy, especially early in the morning before feeding time, and even a clean chicken coop gives off a distinct odor.

Consider access when planning the site -- the chicken coop needs to be accessible at all times of the year and in all kinds of weather for daily care and feeding, and for collecting the fresh eggs.

Chickens can comfortably withstand the cold of winter and the heat of summer, but they need protection from the wind, rain and predators.

Housing can be as simple as a plywood boxes surrounded by study fencing, or an elaborate architectural expression of whimsy. Just make sure the structure is sturdy enough to withstand dogs, foxes or the occasional coyote. Plan on a minimum of two square feet per bird, and install perches for roosting and nest boxes for egg production. The size of the coop dictates how many chickens can be included in the flock.

Our first chicken coop was sized for six grown chickens. The small coop is essentially a plywood box, 4' x 4' square and 4' tall at the front, and made from T-11 exterior grade plywood. The roof slopes down toward the back of the coop to help shed rain and snow.

Attach an outdoor run to the chicken coop. The run is a fenced in and protected area, secured on all sides (including overhead). The run allows the flock to get outside and scratch around in the dirt, safe from hawks, fox, dogs and other predators. Fencing must be strong and tightly meshed to prevent raccoons and weasels from getting in.

Many backyard chicken farmers also let their flock roam free during the day, allowing the birds to pick through the grass and mulch for seeds and small bugs. Chickens will happily scratch through flowerbeds in search of insects and other bits to eat.

Our outdoor chicken run approximately 6'wide by 12' long and made from 2x4 framing lumber assembled into modular sections that are covered in plastic coated chicken wire. Since the chicken wire comes in 24" wide rolls, each modular frame section is 4' wide by 7' tall.

The base of the run is framed with pressure treated landscape timbers. After cutting and screwing the framing sections together with weather-resistant decking screws, staple the chicken wire to the outside of the frame. Then, stand the finished section upright onto the landscape timber frame, and secure it in place with more weather-resistant screws.

Assemble the next section, and attach it to the first section. The process continues all of the way around the outdoor run, creating a fenced-in and secure area for the chickens to scratch around in the dirt.

The last section includes a doorway, for entering the chicken run and for letting the chickens out to roam in the back yard.

The top of the outdoor run is covered with more chicken wire. To further protect the chickens from the snow and rain, we added a lightweight plastic roof.

Planning for a small chicken coop and site preparation is crucial before purchasing those cute and irresistible baby chicks. Raising backyard chickens is a popular and growing hobby, from just three or four hens to flocks with several dozen birds. Choose from the many interesting breeds, some with striking contrasting feather patterns and colorful plumage.

With a little research and a bit of planning, keeping a small flock of backyard chickens can be a very rewarding experience for the entire family.

But providing housing, feeding and caring for chickens is not for everyone, and not every town allows homeowners to keep a flock of backyard chickens. Check with the town officials before investing in chicks or building a coop. Chickens are livestock, and are subject to local zoning ordinances.

Rather than building a coop with a walk-in design, we opted for a raised coop with doorways on the front and back for cleaning and egg collection. The coops is elevated approximately 20" off the ground, providing a sheltered area in the run area and under the coop that is shaded from the sun and protected from the rain. To gather the eggs, we simply open the door and reach into the nest boxes. No dirty shoes!

Cleaning the chicken coop is easy, too. The front and rear doors are 28" wide, making it easy to reach every inside corner of the nest box. The inside of the chicken coop is layered with pine shavings, available from feed stores and garden centers in cubic bales. As the shavings become soiled, we open the rear coop door and park a wheelbarrow underneath. The, we open the front door and using a snow shovel, push the dirty shavings into the waiting wheelbarrow, then dump the contents into our compost pile.

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