How to Build a Chicken Coop - Successfully Building a Hen House

Do you know what these four important steps are? This article will give a complete understanding of what they are, and when you're through you will be ready to move onto the next step, getting the plans (a crucial element) and getting out the power tools.

First, you will want to make it clear in your mind how big you want to make your chicken coop. The size of a coop directly effects the number of chickens you can raise. And building a coop that is too small can have drastic effect on your birds happiness. From there you will be able to choose a style that you will be happy with and more importantly fits the location you have chosen for it.

Once you have this information, you will want to look at building both a healthy and safe chicken coop, which protects your hens from both predators and the elements. Safety is important and something you won't want to neglect. Step 3 goes into more detail about covering this part of building a chicken coop.

The final step will cover the importance of building an aesthetically pleasing chicken coop. I bet you will be surprised when you learn why this step is so important, and one you don't want to skip.

I see that you of you are already to get the plans and get building, so I had better get started!

Picking The Right Size

You may think that this is a given, that anyone building a chicken coop with know this without question. The reason is simple... You know where you want to put the chicken coop and you know how many chickens you want, isn't that enough? The answer is quite simply, no! Just because you have a spot picked out, that doesn't mean it is the most ideal. You may run into trouble if your desired hen house doesn't match the number of chickens you plan to get.

Every chicken that you plan on keeping needs at least 3 sq. ft. of room in the coop. Going by this you will now have a better idea of the actual coop size, and if it will fit where you originally planned to build it.

As you can imagine, if the chicken coop becomes too crowded, your hens will spend the majority of their time fighting for room rather than laying eggs. If you build a chicken coop don't waste your time and money trying to squeeze the most hens into the smallest space. Make sure your chickens have the space they deserve. So now you are in the perfect position, you can now decide how many chickens you really want to house and build the appropriate coop.

If you find out later that the chicken coop you've built it too big (Something that is very unlikely) you can add another hen or two to the house.


Choosing the Right Type of Chicken Coop

Maybe you already know this but there are two types of chicken coops to choose from. The first is portable, and is often referred to as a chicken tractor. The other is fixed and is usually built to hold more chickens. Lets explore these two types of chicken coop and find out which one works the best for you.

To get started we will take a few minutes and learn more about the chicken tractors. Portable chicken coops have several advantages over the fixed versions, let's take a look and see what those are. Maintenance is definitely much easier on the portable chicken coops. With that said it is also needs to be done more frequently. Instead of bringing the tools to the coop, you can bring the coop to your tools. As you can imagine this also make cleaning the coop out much easier.

Still with all good things there is a downside to this type of chicken coop and we will look at that now. Don't build a portable chicken coop and think that it will last forever, it won't. Chicken tractors are not constructed as rigidly as the fixed version, and it is only to be expected that transportation and movement will take its toll.

The fixed, or sometimes referred to as static chicken coop are more stable than their movable counterparts. And can last for many years with regular maintenance. Now it is very important to point out that you need to have a clear idea where you will be building this type of chicken coop. Once it is finished, moving it will be a very time consuming process.

Here are some things to consider when you build a static roost. The first thing is that sunlight is very important to your chicken's health and happiness. Make sure to build the chicken coop so that it gets as much sun as it can each day. With that said I should also mention you have to position the coop so it gets the most protection it can from the elements. If you have strong storms in your area you will need to build your chicken coop under a couple of trees or parallel to a bigger building.

One more thing to remember when you are learning how to build a chicken coop is never place it on low ground. I always recommend that you build the chicken coop on the highest spot in your yard. That way you can (usually) rest assured that you hens will stay dry. When not placed on high ground you run the risk of having your chicken coop flood. If this happens, you'll learn what the expression “madder than a wet hen” means.

Keeping Your Chickens In And The Predators Out

One of the most important aspects of learning how to build a chicken coop is keeping your birds safe.

There are many different types of predators that will prey upon your hens if you aren't careful. This can be anything from the neighborhood cats and dogs to less likely threats such as rats. Of course rats are one of the smaller threats, if you live in the country you might also have to contend with larger predators.

Foxes are well know for trying to break into chicken coops, but they aren't the only ones. Coyotes and badgers also have an appetite for chicken. The fencing you use plays a big part in how safe your chicken coop is. Don't use too weak of fencing or you will have to pay a big price later. Make sure to bury your fence deep enough in the ground to keep out animals that try to dig their way into the coop.

Don't forget the threat from above. Hawks will also prey upon chickens, so it might be necessary to cover your chicken's run with a roof or fencing.

Looks Really Do Matter With Chicken Coops

Learning how to build a chicken coop can be a really fun experience which also makes a great family project.

A chicken coop is more than simply a comfortable safe home for your chickens. It should also add an element to your yard that few others share. That means you should take the time and make it also look nice. Even if you think the chicken coop you've built is the cutest thing you've ever seen take a step back, what would other people say? Many people, especially when they've learned how to build a chicken coop for the first time, are blind to how their coop really looks. Is the coop really as nice as you think?

This would be a shame, since a chicken coop can add a unique element to your yard's landscaping. One that will have your neighbors talking for all of the right reason, and your family supplied with fresh eggs every morning for breakfast.

If you build your chicken coop in the city, you will want to check your city ordnances for any that regulate if and how you can build your coop.

Building a chicken coop requires the will to see the project through to the end. But it also requires something else. Plans. If you set out to build a chicken coop with out a real set, you are setting yourself up for a head ache. Ready to get your hands on a set? Click here to learn how to build a chicken coop and get your hands on some plans! You can also read more in this article.

How to Build a Chicken Coop Without Getting Egg on Your Face

Are you ready to learn how to build a chicken coop? Good, because learning how to do it right will save you and your chickens a lot of trouble.

First it is important to sit down and decide how many chickens you are planning to take care of. You may have a rough idea, but now you need to decide on the exact number.

You see, each chicken needs at least 3 square feet of space inside the chicken coop. This is the bare minimum and it never hurts to actually calculate more space per chicken for the coop. If the coop is too big, there is always the option to add another chicken or two. But crowding them will be detrimental to the birds' wellbeing, as well as their ability to produce eggs.

Next you need to think about what you want from the chicken coop, do you plan on moving it around or do you want one that is fixed to the ground. There are two styles of coop, one is portable the other is as you guessed fixed.

Both of these have their advantages and disadvantages.

The portable chicken coop allows you to choose where the birds will be in the yard. This is naturally practical if you want to move them around and keep them close to you. They are also easy to clean. You can move them to one spot clean them, and move them back to it original location without flooding the ground around the coop.

But they are often limited in size, so if you plan on keeping more than a couple of chickens you will want to use a fixed chicken coop. This type of coop is sturdier and is more resistant to wear and tear.

No matter which type of chicken coop you plan on building, you will need to put the right amount of effort into keeping your birds safe. This includes using the proper strength of building materials and fencing.

There are many predatory animals that are all too happy to break into your hen house and reek havoc. This is a thought that you will have to overcome when you raise chickens. Some of the animals you might have to detour are the neighborhood cats and dogs. But rats can also pose a threat to your pet chickens. Larger animals such as badgers, coyotes and foxes can be a threat, though these are more common in the country.

The last thing you'll want to keep in mind when you are learning how to build a chicken coop is the appearance. This might seem like a small thing. But nobody likes to look at an unattractive chicken coop. This is often a misconception people have of them when you build a chicken coop in the city.

But this is a great opportunity for you to show how nice they can look and how great a pet chickens make. Besides that, they are the only pet that can provide you with company and breakfast!

Now that you've gotten the tricky part of learning how to build a chicken coop out of the way, it time for the fun part. There are many different styles and types to choose from. And as long as you can hold a hammer, you should be able to handle building a coop. Click here to get started!

Read a similar article at: How to Build a Chicken Coop Without Getting Egg on Your Face

Do You Know How to Build a Chicken Coop?

If you think you merely need to throw up four walls and a roof, enclose it in a fence and you have a chicken coop, we need to talk. It isn't hard to build a chicken coop, but there are a couple of things you need to keep in mind.

The first one is to have a clear idea how many chickens you're building your coop for. Did you know that you need at least three square feet of space for a chicken to feel comfortable? More living space is always better but never go below that figure. This will ensure that your chickens are happy and healthy.

Remember, you can never build a chick coop too big for your chickens, if you do you can always add more. Building one that is too small can be a problem. The reason you don't want to squeeze too many chickens into a coop is because it will effect their ability to lay eggs. It will also cause social problems when the chickens begin to compete for space in the coop.

Another aspect that is very important when you are learning how to build a chicken coop is realizing how important protection is. Many people that are new to raising chicken will have to learn the hard way how relentless other animals will be when they smell an easy meal.

There are many predators that will be hungry for your feathered friends. They will dig under the fence and try anything else they think will help them get into your hen house - And if you fail to take the necessary steps to keep them safe, you will wake up one morning to a depressing sight.

Predators include the neighborhood cats and dogs, but this can also include rats, badgers, foxes and coyotes. There may be other predators depending on where you live, so you need to keep that in mind when you are learning how to build a chicken coop. The appearance of your coop is as important as all of the other elements. If your hen house turns into an eye sore, you are running the risk of turning once cordial neighbors into disgruntled ones.

There is no reason why you shouldn't build a chicken coop that adds a unique aspect to your backyard. Coops can be a very pleasant addition to the landscaping that gives you a great conversation starter. This is better than the alternative - giving the neighborhood something to talk about. As you can imagine, there are many different ways to build a chicken coop, and there are as many styles as there are tastes. Picking one that will fit your needs and the needs of your chickens is important.

Do you know how to build a chicken coop? You do now! Click here to get access to excellent plans for many different styles of chicken coop by visiting: http://Build-A-Chicken-Coop.iqbanq.com.

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How to Build a Chicken Coop That Lives Up to Its Name

Now that you are about to build a chicken coop, there are several things that you need to think about.

As you can imagine, there are more than a couple of types you can easily build yourself. But before you rush out and get the material ask yourself these questions:

How Many Chickens?

How many chicken do you plan on holding? If you're going to build a chicken coop, you need to ask yourself this question first. This is a very important element of a hen house, and one that many beginners fail to answer.

The number of chickens is directly responsible for the size of the coop. If you plan on raising 10 chickens, your coop would need to be at least 30 square feet. Each bird requires a minimum of 3 square feet of living space. It is always a good idea to build the chicken coop larger than you actually need. This allows you add more chickens in the future, but more importantly it gives your chickens more living space.

Failure to give the chickens enough space will result in poor egg production and produce other problems in the coop.

The Two Types of Chicken Coops

There are two types of hen houses for you to learn how to build. The first one is portable. There are several reasons why you might choose to build a portable chicken coop. One of them is ease of maintenance and cleaning. Another is the flexibility to take the chickens with you. If you plan to raise the chickens as pets, a portable hen house is a good option.

If you prefer durability, a transportable version might not be what you are looking for. In that case you would want to look at a fixed coop. It provides you with a stable steadfast construction that both you and your chickens will appreciate.

Don't worry, if you can build a portable chicken coop, you can build a fixed hen house just as easily.

The Protection Factor

This is also a very important part of learning how to build a chicken coop. And one that shouldn't be overlooked. If you are building a chicken coop for the city, you will be up against just as many predators as in the country. Several common dangers are: dogs, cats, rats, badgers, foxes and coyotes.

Make sure to use a fencing that matches your needs, and meets the size requirements for your hen house.

And while I run the risk of sounding like a broken record, don't neglect your coops security. There is nothing more heartbreaking than looking your children in the eyes and explaining to them that a predator dug under or broke through the fence and killed the chickens.

Looks Matter

Don't neglect the appearance of your coop. Anyone can find out how to build a chicken coop, but there is more to it than that. And it is common that people don't put enough effort into its visual aspect.

You need to build a pleasant looking home for your feathered pets or run the risk of ruffling some feathers with the neighbors. Of course you don't want that, nobody likes an eye sore, but with a little effort your hen house can become the envy of the neighborhood.

Build a Chicken Coop Now!

Read more on this topic at: How to Build a Chicken Coop That Lives Up to Its Name

How to Build a Chicken Coop That Will Withstand Time

There are several different factors that determine how long your home-made chicken coop will last. To make the most out of your money and effort, pick only high quality hen house plans to build from and keep the following tips in mind.

Depending on where you have planned on building a chicken coop, you will either have a location that is already landscaped, or you will have to landscape the area first. What you will need is a level ground that properly supports your hen house. If you are doing this right in the beginning, your coop will last a lot longer and as such be a lot more cost effective than if you save on landscaping the area before you build.

For some situations building a portable chicken coop may be of advantage to you. In any case, only use quality hen house plans when you learn how to build a chicken coop, no matter if portable or static.

Learn what materials are cost effective and at the same time withstand the weather. When you learn how to build a chicken coop you will save a lot of money. However, take the suggestions serious and don't save too much on the coop's foundation. A quality structural base will give your hen house the strength to last a lot longer and save you even more money and effort in return.

Windows are an important part when you learn how to build a chicken coop. They are necessary to provide your chickens with the much needed sunlight. If your chickens do not get enough natural sunlight the egg production will definitely suffer. It is mandatory though for you to understand where to place windows in your construction to ensure that the coop itself stays sturdy. Again, a good quality hen house plan will show you how to properly place windows for the best results.

The position and design of the feeders is also something you should keep in mind. Besides the fact that you need to allot enough space, how high or low they are positioned will have an effect on how durable your hen house is. If the feeder is not easy to reach for your chickens, food may eventually get scattered on the floor.

Besides the space allowed for the feeders and waterer you will need to calculate a minimum of 3 square feet per chicken. More space is always better, but never go below 3 feet. This is often a mistake people make when they are learning how to make a chicken coop. When you miscalculate your chicken's living space egg production will suffer.

Don't break out the hammer and nails until you've fully informed yourself on what to expect when raising chickens. It is very important to choose the proper building plans that suite your location and needs. Click here for more information! Raising chickens is a fun and rewarding activity, get the full scoop by visit my website: http://Build-A-Chicken-Coop.iqbanq.com.

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Why You Should Learn How to Build a Chicken Coop

Have you thought about building a chicken coop but weren't sure whether your time and money spent would pay off? Then let me tell you that there are a lot of advantages to having your own backyard hen house, and you will save a lot of money in the long run. After all, with the right chicken coop plans you will be able to build a durable coop for a fraction of the cost compared to buying one.

First, you will never have to buy eggs again. While a single egg may not be expensive, think about how much you can save in the long run. Finding the right plans and material for building a chicken coop practically pays for itself once the egg production has started. Also, by building the coop yourself you save a lot of money upfront. A good quality hen house from the store can easily cost $500 or more. The funny thing is, you usually have to put these together yourself, too, so you are not saving much effort but rather are paying more for the overpriced materials.

Next, you will know what your eggs are coming from. No matter if you are environmentally conscious or simply a practical person, knowing that the eggs you are eating come from your own hens gives you a good feeling. After all, with your loving care you are doing a lot for the chickens themselves - just think about the conditions most commercial egg-laying hens are raised under with intensive farming techniques.

You can use the chicken manure as an organic fertilizer. The chicken droppings are toxic to plants, but small scale manure collection from domestic animals such as chickens, horses, goats etc., mixed with vegetable and garden wastes can make a great backyard compost. Once the the manure as been composted, it makes a very good fertilizer that can be used on your garden plants and vegetables.

Furthermore, building your own chicken coop gives you the freedom to choose the design and work with your given circumstances. You may for example rather want to build a portable chicken coop if this is of advantage to you.

=> Get the chicken coop plans here! I will leave the task of picking up the building materials to you.

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Building a Chicken Coop - Use Durable But Cost-Effective Materials

Building a chicken coop made out of wood may not be the absolute cheapest solution, but it will most likely pay off providing you with a coop that features a longer life expectancy and enhanced durability. If you are very tight on money, you may want to look for scrap wood. Smaller coops may also be built from recycled timber.

If you are looking at building a chicken coop out of scrap wood, you may not be able to find the fitting pieces of wood. It is also quite likely that you will have to pull some nails. If you can't find the fitting pieces of wood when building a hen coop, may have to make compromises in the construction. In that case you will have to make the decision what is more important to you, a certain kind of design or the the limit of your budget. However you decide, make sure to pick the fitting construction plan. If you can't afford to build a large coop, you will need to cut back on the number of chickens your coop is supposed to house.

In any case, if you look carefully for potential building material, you can save a lot of money when you are building a chicken coop. It is always better to build a durable coop and go with a smaller sized housing than using poor quality material for a larger building.

It is important to remember that each chicken needs at least 3-4 square feet inside the coop. Make sure you build your hen house with this in mind. If you squeeze too many chickens into a cramped hen house you will be forcing the hens to fight over brooding space.

The cost of building a hen coop also comes down to the climate in your area. Cooler, rainier areas will require more insulation than warmer climates. On the other hand, hot weather calls for more windows to provide the necessary ventilation in your hen house. Good chicken coop plans will give you a clear idea on what is needed to keep your chickens healthy.

Also don't go too cheap when you pick out the material for the coop's foundation. The stronger your chicken coop's base, the more durable the overall structure will be. In the end it's a win-win situation for both you and your chickens. By picking the right material, you invest in a long term coop that can withstand the weather, which will result in happier and healthier chickens. Which means more eggs!

The plans make all of the difference in building a functioning chicken coop, so make sure to use plans that work. Get chicken coop plans here by visiting my website: http://build-a-chicken-coop.iqbanq.com/

Additional information here: Building a Chicken Coop - Use Durable But Cost-Effective Materials

An Egg a Day - How to Build a Chicken Coop

Do you know how rewarding it is to raise chickens? It's true, holding chickens in your backyard, either on a farm or in the city, can be very relaxing. And these pets have the added benefit of giving you a tasty treat for your breakfast table.

But what is required to raise chickens? If you are just starting out, it is important to learn how to build a chicken coop. As you can easily guess, doing it the wrong way will be a torture for the chickens and make the entire experience disastrous.

When done correctly though, building your own chicken coop can be cheaper, healthier and a lot more satisfying.

The first question you should ask yourself is how many birds do you plan to raise. This will be directly connected to the size of the chicken coop you're going to need to build.

Just remember that you will need to give each of your chickens at least 3 square feet of space to live comfortably with the other chickens in the colony. More space is always better, and if you happen to build too big of a chicken coop, you can always add more birds.

Want a tip that will make your job of cleaning the coop easier? You should put tiles down on the floor. Also by slanting the floor so it tilts slightly towards the door you are making it easier when you spray it clean. This will allow the water to run out the door. These are two things that high quality chicken coop plans will share with you, but not all of them do.

Just like your home, the chicken coop needs to be properly protected from unwanted intruders. These predators will be more than happy to take advantage of weak fencing or other Achilles heals.

Don't underestimate the dogs and cats in your neighborhood, they can be a threat to the safety of your chickens. But your chickens can also be at risk of being attacked by other animals. Rats can also pose a threat to your chickens, but so can foxes and coyotes, and depending on your location badgers might be a problem.

Take the predatory animals you have in your specific area and factor them in when you build the chicken coop.

Lastly, the importance of your chicken coops appearance cannot be over looked. A chicken coop can be a wonderful addition to almost any yard, when well built it will add an optical element that will wow family and friends. But if you fail to properly take the time to follow well written plans, or let the finishing touches fall on the wayside... You're running the risk of giving your neighbors an excuse to complain.

Chicken coops can be a fun and exciting way for you to enjoy a fresh egg every morning, but if they aren't handled properly they can turn into an eye sore. Just remember to put yourself in the shoes of those that live around you and ask yourself if you would like the coop. If the answer is no, then go over it and make any corrections.

Now that you know what is required for you to build a chicken coop, there is one final step. This is getting the plans and the materials. This is the exciting part, and one that anyone can handle no matter their experience level with the toolbox.

=> Get the coop plans here! I will leave the task of picking up the building materials to you.

More articles here: An Egg a Day - How to Build a Chicken Coop

Tour of the Chicken Coop

Do you need to see inside another chicken coop? Then watch this video. It will give you an idea of what a smaller portable chicken coop can look like. If the other chicken coop tour I posted looked like it was more than you could handle this chicken coop might be more manageable.

How to Build a Chicken Coop - An Introduction

Do you want to learn how to build your own chicken coop? Let's take a look what you should think about before you get started. With a little bit of help, you can save a lot of money by building your own hen house. Also, of course you will be able to individually build a coop that is pleasing to you and your neighbors.

The first thing to remember is, keep your neighbors in mind! Unless nobody but yourself will see your chicken coop, make sure that it's not an eye sore, and that your neighbors can live with it, too! This will save you a lot of frustration in the long term. Make sure to keep your hen house nice and clean, both for hygiene and aesthetics reasons.

The next thing we need to think about is how much space you will need. Plan for at least 3 square feet for each animal. Don't cram too many birds into a too small coop. This will only do damage to your chickens' health and hurt the egg production. Also consider that you will need some space for a waterer and chicken feeder.

Build your chicken coop with hygiene in mind. The more thoroughly you plan early on in the process, the less work you will be faced with afterwards. For example, it's a good idea to build your coop with a tilted floor, so that it will be easier to clean the coop. If you slope the floor towards the door, the water can collect and flow outside when you spray out the coop.

Your chicken coop needs to be weather and predator safe! Don't underestimate the will power of predatory pets such as your neighbors' cats or dogs - they may very well dig their way through. Badgers, raccoons, foxes and rats are a common threat to your chickens, too.

Click here to learn how to build the best chicken coops and save a lot of money!

Article originally published here: How to Build a Chicken Coop - An Introduction