Review of Chicken Keeping Secrets

It started with a New Year’s resolution to be healthier, and progressed from there. My husband and I began researching the different kinds of organic foods we could eat, and found out just how dangerous store-purchased foods can be. Vegetables are laced with pesticides and meat is injected full of hormones. Soon we realized this wasn’t just a resolution, but a necessary change. The health of our children and ourselves were suddenly a priority.

That’s how we decided we were going to start raising chickens. I had no idea how old eggs were when you purchased them from the grocery store. I didn’t know that chicken had a ton of hormones injected for growth – and I didn’t know how these things could affect our health. Another very important thing I didn’t know was how to raise chickens. Still, determined, we set about researching to learn how to raise our own chickens. Soon, we found a website called ‘Chicken Keeping Secrets.’

We first started reading the information available on the website and learned a ton of stuff there. Deciding that anyone who was willing to give away so much information for free must have a goldmine of information in their actual product, we decided to go ahead and invest in the product. We were absolutely thrilled with the amount of information we received from ‘Chicken Keeping Secrets.’ We learned everything about how to keep chickens – from what to feed them to the kind of chicken coops we needed.

I had no idea that even the stuff you put on the ground for the chickens needed to be special to keep the chickens healthy and safe. We learned all of this from ‘Chicken Keeping Secrets.’ We literally referred to it as often as we refer to the bible in the first few months of owning chickens. I’m happy to say that it paid off. We have very happy, healthy chickens who provide us with all-natural, organic eggs every morning. (They taste incredible – have you ever had fresh eggs?) In addition, we do cook one of our chickens every once in a while and can be sure that the meat is absolutely hormone-free, and completely safe for our family to consume. I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants to skip the hormone-laden chickens and eggs at the supermarket. It’s a wonderful product and costs next to nothing.

Where to Find Cheap Chicken Coops

The trend today in food is to create your own environment where you can provide for some of your food needs, and chicken is a basic staple in the dinner table. If you are planning to start your own chicken coop, you are right on track. You will be taking care of two food item items you use regularly in the kitchen - chicken and eggs. Or, you could choose one. Chicken bred for eggs are called layers, while those you plan to use as meat source are called fryers.

If you don’t want to build your chicken coop, there are ways to find cheap chicken coops without going over the budget of creating one from scratch. The main difference would be having to settle for what is available and not being able to customize your chicken coop.

The first place you should to find a cheap chicken coop would be your local hardware store. There may be limited choices, but you get to walk and buy one right away. Thus, you can get started on your chicken coop project immediately.

If you don’t find anything to your taste, then you will need to work your computer and find online sources. Expect the process to take minimum of 2 days to a maximum of a week before you get your goods delivered.

You will be able to find a chicken coop for as low as $10 but this would be the very basic, no frills, four walls and a roof kind of chicken coop. The most expensive for a ready to assemble chicken coop would be around $595.

What you need to consider when buying a chicken coop would be weather, temperature, materials used, and air circulation. You should also have easy access and the basic feed containers, 4 walls, windows, screen, and roof.

Places to Find Chicken Coops for Sale

Chickens are a great animal to have around. They are a source of food and can be fun family pets as well. The problem with having them however is the need to protect them and provide them with quality housing. Although you could build them a chicken coop, this can be difficult and you may just have to find chicken coops for sale. The good news is that when you know how to find them, you can rest assured that the flock you love will be protected.

Prior to looking for a chicken coop, you should have a price limit in mind. With realistic expectations, could save yourself quite a bit of money (and avoid debt) when you purchase one that is within your budget. However, don't be cheap. By focusing more on quality and not cost, you can find a good quality coop that will protect them and keep them healthy without breaking the bank.

One place that you can look for chicken coops is on the internet. Here, you can find many different companies that have chicken coops for sale. Some of them are going to be ones that you can use right away, but some of them might need to be assembled.

Another place to look is specialty publications as well. Farming and farming supply publications almost always have relevant ads in the back for quality chicken houses. If they do, look through the ads and then contact individual sellers to obtain a great chicken coop at a wonderful price.

Newspapers are another place to check. Many individuals typically list items in the classified section of the local paper. By searching here, you could definitely find the item that you want. In addition, yo won't have to have the item shipped and can typically arrange a local pickup of the item.

Farmers can be very helpful. If they already have chickens you could see if they can help you build a coop, but if they do not you might find they have one laying around the yard that they could sell you. So you could use them to get the problem solved in a couple of different ways.

Being able to maintain your own home flock of chickens is really a great idea. However, protecting them from the elements might be harder than you think because they need a quality coop to stay protected. The problem with that is you might not know where to find chicken coops for sale. Once you know where to find them, you can protect your flock and know that they will be safe from harm.

Moveable Chicken Coop

As the name suggests, a moveable chicken coop is small in size and portable. You can take it with you wherever you go. There is a clear preference among people for mobile chicken coops over the regular standard-sized ones for their size and portability. However, the downside is you may not be able to place more chickens in it. So, if you have numerous chickens, then you may have to go in for multiple mobile homes which can make portability a lot difficult. The advantages are lost with multiple mobile coops and this is an important factor you should consider before deciding to buy one. 

The most beneficial aspect of a moveable chicken coop is that it is easy to clean. Its small size  as well as the fact that it could be easily moved near the house for cleaning purposes or moved near the garage where a through water wash could be done with the help of a hose pipe added to the convenience of the owners. 

As the mobile chicken coops are small, it is also cheaper to build them. The materials required may already be available at home or you can get them from your local hardware stores at minimal rates.

How to Build a Chicken Coop Inexpensively

The idea of building your own chicken coop is interesting and exciting because you can take this opportunity to unleash your creative instincts and at the same time can enjoy building a home for your chicken. Constructing DIY chicken coop is relatively easy and you can definitely save a considerable amount of money by building the chicken house by yourself. Mobile chicken coops which are available in stores are quite expensive and you can build the same structure all by yourself with only one-fifth of the price which you will spend on buying the chicken house.

You should first have a rough plan on your mind as to how your chicken coop should look like. The rough plan should be based on the size of your chicken coop, its possible shape and the number of chicken which it can accommodate. After you have a rough outline in your mind, replicate the same on paper which you will be able to see and then can modify according to your creativity or any modifications which needs to be implied for the sustainability of the model. Once you have drawn the final draft and are happy with the structure, then the next step would be to estimate the raw materials which you have and the materials which you need to procure. Remains of an old shed can be very well used in the construction of your chicken coop and scrap plywood and lumber are the right materials which can be reused for this purpose. The other materials which you need to buy should be estimated for their price and only the required amount should be bought so as to control the expenditure.

The inside space for the coop is the next priority and depending on the number of chicken you have or intend to have, the internal coop space should be decided. Usually, an average hen requires 6 to 10 inches of roosting space. A door is a must which should be wide as well as then it makes cleaning of the coop easier. Also, protection to the coop with the means of wire netting is a dire requirement which helps to protect the hens from predatory animals. The roof should be water-proof and the hens need to be kept dry and clean as this will keep them disease-free all the time. Automatic means of watering and feeding are the other key points which should be taken care of as this will reduce manual intervention.

Inexpensive means of chicken coop construction is very well possible and by various home-made materials, a beautiful chicken coop can be constructed by your very hands.
Photo:Carlos Porto

Where to Find Great Chicken Coop Designs?

The first thought which crosses your mind when you decide to get some chicken for your house is how do you shelter these birds? Chicken can be easily brought but the only difficult thing would be to create the right shelter for them which will protect your pets all the year round. In case, you live in a fenced house, then you can let your chicken in your courtyard, but if you have limited space, you need to keep your chicken in their house and at the same time, care should be taken that they have enough space to move about in their little house. Chicken coop is a dire necessity in all those house-holds who rear pets.

Some people do spend a fortune on buying or constructing the right chicken coop which goes great with their house. However, many of the people would like to create their own chicken coop which allows people to use their creativity and saves a considerable amount of money. On an average, a person uses approximately $300 to construct a chicken coop, but by managing your expenses and digging a little deeper on the subject, you can build your chicken coop in a much economical way.

When you want to create your own chicken coop, you must definitely gather knowledge about various key facts such as raw materials, chicken water containers, chicken feeders, nest boxes, chicken roosts, etc. which are the prime requisites for the building of a chicken coop. Designing your own chicken coop depends on your needs, your creativity and the number of chicken you have. While designing your chicken coop, always keep in mind the following facts:

1)    Chicken Coop Materials: All kinds of scrap materials such as scrap lumber, gallon barrels, PVC pipes, tarps, etc. can be used for construction. The most commonly used raw material is wood and you can build the coop with old wood which is available at your house.

2)    Chicken nest boxes: Standardized hen nest boxes are usually around 15-inch by height and 15-inch in width, but they can vary according to your requirement.

3)    Doors and Ceilings: Make sure that the chicken house is easily accessible to you too, so it should be almost of your height. Wide-open doors are a major requirement as then it becomes easy to clean. Adequate ventilation is a must which can be provided by the inclusion of windows. Make sure the roof is water-proof and automatic watering and feeding will definitely help you in the long run.

Once you decide on the basic aspects of a chicken coop, you can modify the design according to your creativity and requirements.

How to Design Chicken Coop Plan

Like human beings, chicken also need shelter and a cover over their heads so as to stay away from rains. A wet hen is not a good sign especially since it may propagate several diseases to its fellow mates. Large numbers of people engage in rearing hens at home and in order to do so you should definitely have a chicken coop. Chicken like any other animals like to stay in closed comfortable shelters which protect them from drastic climatic conditions and at the same time provides a warm shelter to rest. Chicken coop is a must in case you have hens at home.

The best part about chicken coop is that they are not hard to design and can be constructed by anyone with just the basic knowledge and simple raw materials which we get in our home. When you start with the idea of building a chicken coop for your house, you need to look into all the fine details that go into the construction work. You cannot start the construction by having a rough plan in your mind as you need to literally draw the plan on paper and rule out any possibilities which you have forgotten to think of. Certain key elements which need to be considered while building your chicken coop are:

1)    Automatic watering: Your chicken should have access to fresh water and the holding capacity of the same should not be less than a gallon.

2)    Automatic Food dispenser: This way you can easily provide food to the chicken in definite portions. Hanging feeders are the best ones as they are less messy and then you also have the liberty to leave your home for a weekend or so and do not have to worry about feeding your pets.

3)    Electricity: Providing electricity to your chicken coop is very important as this way you can have your chicken breeding throughout the year.

4)    Storage of chicken feed: Food storage is very important and storing it in tight metal cans inside of your chicken house is a good option.

5)    Safety: It is important that you save your hens from predatory birds and in order to do so, the chicken coop should be completely covered with wire netting.

6)    Straw: Make sure that you store a bale of straw close to the chicken house which will help you to put the same in the nesting boxes easily.

Always make sure that the chicken coop is of a decent height so that you can walk into it easily and at the same time, provide enough space for your chicken so that they are comfortable inside their home.
Photo:graur razvan ionut

Chicken Coop Buying Tips

Buying a chicken coop can be more difficult than one thinks, considering all the choices and factors one must consider.  For example, what materials should you use? Should you buy a plan, or a ready-made coop? How big should it be? What preventative measures should you take in regards to weather, and predators?

These are just a few of the issues you need to take into consideration when buying a chicken coop. The following tips will help you sort out what you need in order to have a pleasant coop-buying experience.

The general rule of thumb is 2-3 square feet per bird inside the coop, and 4-5 square feet per bird outside in the run area. You may want to buy or build a bigger coop than you initially need to accommodate expansion. Birds that will be used for meat will generally require even more space.

Consider your local climate: if you live in a colder part of the country, you will need to install special heaters to keep the chickens warm and comfortable in the winter; alternatively, if you live in a warmer climate you will need to install cooling equipment.

Your chickens will definitely attract predators ; you will need to install chicken wire around the coop and free range area to keep unwanted animals out. Be sure to install it about a foot into the ground so it will withstand all weather conditions.  

Be sure to have plenty of ventilation in the coop for your chickens; install sliding windows and a door that opens inward. Chickens need fresh air and light; this will produce higher quality eggs.

Decide whether you want to buy a ready-made shed, or purchase materials to build your own.  You will have to consider your budget and your handyman skills before making your final decision.

If you live in a suburb with neighbours, you will need to consider an aesthetically pleasing design. Your coop will be visible by several of your neighbours, if not your whole neighbourhood, so keep that in mind when painting your coop.

The floor of your coop should be slanted towards the door. This will allow you to clean and disinfect the area without water forming a puddle inside; the water will flow outside.

By following the above guidelines, you will have a better experience when it comes to buying your chicken coop. Happier chickens=better eggs!

Where to Find Small Chicken Coop Plans

Are you thinking about building a chicken coop for yourself or your family? Are you wondering where to go to get the best plans? Below you will find the top five resources for the best quality chicken coop plans.

The internet: This is where you can do your initial research and look at different types of chicken coops.  Do you want one made of wood, or siding? What colors should you use? You may even be able to find free plans that you can print out.  Be careful, however: make sure the website you are looking at is a reputable source and don’t infringe any copyright laws. If you have any questions, be sure to contact the website owner or administrator.

Your local farmer’s market: Look for the farmers who sell fresh, free-range eggs and let them know your intent.  They may even invite you to their farm so you can get an idea of what a chicken coop looks like up close. Local farmers have a vast knowledge that they would be willing to share with you about the best way to build a coop based on your area and weather conditions. They will also have knowledge about the local zoning by-laws. You may want to contact your local city councillor to check zoning as well.  If you need a permit and don’t obtain one, your city will require you to take down the structure and your hard work will be for naught.

Your neighbourhood:  Chances are one or two of your neighbours already have a chicken coop in their backyard. Take a drive one Sunday afternoon, and strike up a conversation with the owner of a coop that you are interested in. Most people are more than willing to share their experiences and give you advice on what materials to use, how to build, where to get your plan, etc. It may even be the beginning of a new friendship!

Your local farm feed store:  They may sell plans for chicken coops, and they know local farmers they can put you in touch with so you can visit their farms and get all the information you need.

Your Local hardware/lumber store or nursery:  Again, they may sell plans for your coop. They can also give advice as to what materials are best for your area and climate.

Visiting at least one of these sources will give you the information you need to have a pleasant experience building your chicken coop and enjoying fresh eggs every morning for years to come.
Photo:Salvatore Vuono

How to Find Chicken Coops for Sale

While chicken coops may not be on everyone's buying list, they are needed by thousands of people worldwide and also farmers and industries. If you're one of the many that are  elated about having numerous chickens for egg laying, pets or meat, then you will most likely like to be on customary terms with where you should purchase chicken coops from.  In this article, we'll discuss tips to find chicken coops for sale.

Keep in mind, however, that some chicken coops or merely hens for that matter, are not allowed in some areas. Therefore, search for legal guidelines of the area where you live before purchasing or building a chicken coop. This will ensure that they are allowed within your region. 

There are numerous sorts of sellers concentrating on coops for animals and these typically sale chicken coops as well. They may have already have a stock of coops that are already built and they can also be successful with a conventional design and then constructed by your specific requirements. The cost will typically rely upon the resources used and the scale of the item. 

Countless retailers could even trade the building plans to coops along with kits. This will mean that you should buy them as well as some equipment and supplies following assembling it manually. They are made to hold a specific number of hens, so make sure to have the plans for a coop that is big enough. It is important that you just buy the fitting dimension and have the area inside your yard. Should you buy a new coop, make sure to obtain some type of guarantee. This is vital because it has to be strong enough to be sure the hens won't escape. 

While it could be difficult to get a warehouse to purchase the chicken coops from your district, you should have better luck searching for sellers on the internet. There are numerous websites on the internet that are dedicated to hens and their housing. You need  to be in a position to buy packages plus plans from them and have them shipped to you if the sellers are not in your region. 

You can also be concerned with buying a coop that is used. Most chicken house owners and agriculturalists can sell theirs once they want fresher ones. It is probable you will want to try the classified advertisements in farming magazines and local newspapers to search if you could discover any on sale. If you buy used chicken coops, make sure to inspect them intially to be sure they are strong and in good shape.

Tips to Build a Small Chicken Coop

Are you excited about the prospect of having fresh eggs every day, but overwhelmed by the thought of building your own chicken coop? Here are some tips to get you started.

First, and most important, is to check your local by-laws to make sure your area is zoned to allow chicken coops.  Call your city council representative to get all the details. You may need to obtain a permit before starting your coop.

Second, create a blueprint on paper before you start the work. Think about the colors you will use to paint the outside. If you live in a suburban area, keep your neighbours in mind. You don’t want to create something that is not aesthetically pleasing.  Chances are your chicken coop will be seen by more than just the people living beside you.

Third, make sure you allow room for your chickens to roam outside. It’s important that they have fresh air and a grassy area outside to spend much of their day. These are called ‘free range’ chickens and produce better quality eggs.

Fourth, make sure you use the proper materials for your coop. For example, the wood for the roof and outer walls must be able to withstand all types of weather conditions; you will want the door to swing inward, not outward; the floor should slope slightly toward the door so that the water will drain out when you’re cleaning it; use sliding windows so your chickens will not roost on them.

Fifth, be aware that with chickens come predators. It is not uncommon to have foxes, racoons, even cats and dogs coming in search of your chickens. The solution is simple enough: install chicken wire around the free range and the coop area. Be sure to insert it about a foot into the ground so that it is sturdy enough to withstand all weather conditions as well.

Sixth, understand that you will have to take responsibility for your new venture. Cleaning and disinfecting your coop may not be on the top of your fun list, but it is of the utmost importance if you are going to have healthy chickens. If you live in a colder climate, you will have to install heaters to keep them warm in winter.

By following the above tips, you can be well on your way to creating a small, prosperous coop that will yield you all the eggs you can handle! 
Photo: m_bartosch

What is a Movable Chicken Coop and How to Find One

If you possess a yard with a lot of grass or other comparable stuff growing inside it, you could benefit from keeping your chickens in a portable chicken coop. They are exactly what they sound like: usual houses for birds, only portable. This will help to keep the grass from being overgrown through your whole plot of land, due to chickens eating any greens as part of their diets. By building their coop, and its attached run, movable, you could easily utilize them to keep your entire garden trimmed.

An additional excellent benefit of utilizing movable chicken coops is that it could aid in keeping your expenses on chicken feed lower. Since greens are a normal aspect of the birds' diet, you will not need to purchase as many pre-mixed foods for them at the store. Instead, you could supplement a grain diet with the grasses which a portable chicken run could let the chickens eat from the garden's normal growth.

It is obvious that these types of coops are extremely lightweight, that makes them simpler to carry around. Additionally, they are etremely easier to construct. An extra benefit is that they are very cheap to design - you could simply get all the materials you require for under $100.

But, they do have a couple of drawbacks which could or could not be an issue for you. Typically, movable chicken coops are tiny, which means you could comfortably only keep a couple of hens. But, they are ideal if you wish to possess exactly enough organic eggs for your family and you.

In certain parts of the country, a portable coop can only be practical within the warmer seasons.  Temperatures in the teens and winter storms could make it miserable for the birds year round. The idea is to build a coop that is light enough to be rolled by 1 adult, but heavy enough to be still in summer storms and heavy winds.  Movable coops can serve as a year round enclosure if you are in the south or in a region where snow is not an issue.  Just keep in mind to reduce the number of poultry so they aren't crowded.

Where could you discover the ideal free portable chicken coops? The simplest way is to seek them out online. You will discover a couple of basic designs, yet almost every one of them don't have any pictures and step-by-step directions - which would make it a disaster to construct the coop, unless you have a lot of experience with woodworking. Purchase a popular guide which can show you each thing you must understand, as well as giving you step-by-step illustrations and directions.

Plans for a Chicken Coop

While you are constructing plans for building your own chicken coop in your own backyard, there are going to be many ideas you must keep in mind. Prior to planning the model or buying birds for your own chicken coop, you'll have to search if there are standards that have to do with the upbringing of chickens withinin your own town. While several towns have made a ban against roosters, you will be alarmed that even a few bigger cities such as New York are still allowing hens. With a big interest and concern in the source of the food and meat goods, raising chickens in the backyard and organic gardening have made a comeback in current years.

When deciding upon plans for a chicken coop,  you will need to begin with basic ideas. A chicken coop must keep predators away from the flock. Plannings for the chicken coop must allow your chickens to be cooler during the summer months and dryer and warmer during t he winter months. The most basic chicken coop must have wooden boxes that are square that'll be stuffed with straw. This is the place where the hens will give their eggs. You will additionally be required to avoid overcrowding the chickens. Typically, you must allow two to four square feet of space on the floor a bird. The space will ensure the chickens would have enough room to run around as well as to give their eggs. Your primary worry will additionally be to keep your flock away from predators. You must wish to decide upon utilizing 1/4" cloth made of hardware for enclosures instead of the chicken wire. The chicken wire is weak to both small rodents and raccoons that can be fatal to the flock.

When making plans for the chicken coop you'll additonally be required to make a decision if you will be beginning the flock with chicks, fertilized eggs or some pullets. Pullets are the hens that are under one year old. Pullets are a good pick because they can star t laying the eggs in a couple of weeks, yet Pullets may be difficult to discover and could be priced around $5 to $10 per pullet. Eggs that are fertilized are an additional option. You may obtain eggs that are fetilized from the hatchery. The price generally is about $40 for ten eggs that are fertilized. You could additionally pick chicks to begin the flock.  Chicks are always available, and they must be kept within a brooder for five weeks before they could be moved into the chicken coop.

Photo:Suat Eman

How to Build a Chicken Coop

If you dream of eating fresh-laid eggs every morning, you’re not alone.  Many people today are choosing to control their own food sources, and this includes more than just growing your own vegetable garden.

Of course, if you want quality eggs you must have quality chickens; and to have quality chickens, you must care for them in the best possible way. This means you must build a chicken coop with an area called a ‘run’ which allows the chickens to roam outside of the coop.

Before building your chicken coop, do some research and make sure that your local zoning laws allow it.  Call your local council representative, or check your local city’s website for more information. They may have restrictions on the size of the coop allowed, how many chickens are allowed, etc.

Following is a list of materials you will need to build a coop that will house approximately eight chickens:

·      Two  4x4s for skids (72”)

·      2x4s (36 lineal ft) for floor and boundary joists

·      Four 4x4s for corner studs (72”)

·      2x4s (150 lineal ft) for framing walls and roof

·      Seven 4x8 plywood sheets for flooring and wall cladding

·      2x2 (40”) for nesting perch

·      1x4 (120 Lineal ft) for cladding battens, door stop and nesting boxes

·      1x12 (9 lineal ft) for part of nesting boxes

·      1x6 (200 lineal ft) for roofing and litter boards

·      40 sq. Ft of tar paper for under the roofing boards

You can adjust the amount of materials needed based on how many chickens you plan to maintain. Keep in mind that the wood used for skids and floor joists need to be suitable for outdoor use. Don’t be afraid to add your own creativity: color, paint, automatic door opener, etc. It may not matter much to the chickens, but it will keep your backyard from looking like a farmyard.

Whatever type of chicken coop you build, it is important to leave an area outside for them to roam freely; this will ensure that you have the happiest and best quality chickens. Don’t overload your coop: make sure your chickens are comfortable and can establish their ‘pecking order.’

Building and maintaining a chicken coop can be a bit of work, but the rewards are enormous.  When you know exactly where your food is coming from, your food tastes better, is better for you and is better for the environment.  Happy egg hunting!

Photo:Tom Curtis

How to Build a Small Chicken Coop

Poultry farming is not as prevalent as it once was and has lost a bit of its popularity our current times as most people often reside in small, congested homes with no courtyards and do not have the required space to rear a ton of chickens. However, many families have chickens as pets or they use them to provide eggs for their family’s needs. So, if you’re considering building a small chicken coop, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll discuss how to build a small chicken coop. Are you ready? Let’s begin.

Chicken coops are very simple structures which have been especially constructed to breed chicken and these structures can be constructed either in the form of a chicken homestead or a kind of backyard chicken farm.  They are simple structures that serve the basic necessity of providing shelter for chickens. Chicken coops are typically prepared from three basic elements of wood, straw and chicken wire. The materials to build this shelter are quite inexpensive and the best part of building your own chicken coop is that you can utilize the various items present in your house and can let loose your creativity which will definitely turn into a beautiful chicken coop for your lovely pets.

If you are really game on trying to make a simple, yet, elegant chicken coop for your house, there are certain points and facts which should be kept in mind which enables you to make a neat chicken house.

1)  The design of the chicken coop: It is always important that if you plan to construct your chicken coop, you should definitely draw a rough plan on a paper and can understand the technicalities of the structure which will assist you in avoiding any errors. The basic structure, the colors and the appearance of the chicken coop can be estimated from the paper drawing and never initiate your ventures before you are happy with the outlined structure.

2)  Adjust your judgment: When you decide on the materials for your chicken coop, make sure that they are easy to find and at the same time the coop should be made in such a way that it can be easily cleaned and disinfected.

 3) Protection is a priority: The aspect of protection should be given great care and should include doors and windows for the chicken coop that can be opened and closed comfortably. Coop ventilation is of great significance and should not be ignored.

4) Adequate sunlight, water and chicken feeders are also extremely valid points that should never be neglected in the construction of a chicken coop.

 With the above-mentioned tactics and techniques, you can build a lovely and fully functional chicken coop in no time and with just one-tenth of the price of the one available in stores.

Tips for Building Chicken Coops

Building chicken coops can many times be a hard project to undertake. Particularly when you are unsure where to begin or what to do. So, here are a few tips on how to build a chicken coop. That way, you will know what you should do right now to build your birds a great coop. When building a chicken coop, bear in mind that it does not have to be eloquent or expensive. There are three tips to keep in mind. 



Location 

 

The location you pick will break or make your project. Healthy chickens require a dry chicken coop. Therefore, you need to choose a region that drains good even following a hard rain. Regions that are prone to holding water are not appropriate and must be avoided. 

The location you pick must get at least a couple of hours of sunlight each day. However, shade is also important because the coop will be so hot in the summer months that your chickens will just boil. If you could, try to make a wind break by having it sheltered by a bigger building around it, particularly on the northern side. You may additionally utilize huge evergreens to provide wind break just as well as shade and have predator protection. 



Ventilation 



Bear in mind that in the cold winter months, you will need lots of air to flow through the chicken coop. Fresh air will aid to keep the area cooler and also aid to keep it aired out. However, in the winter, you are going to have to be able to close up a few of the vents so that your birds don't get too cold. 

Cut vents that are 12 inches wide and run the length of the structure on the sides and the back. Put in double mesh wiring to let good air flow but to additionally shield the chickens from predators. Construct hinged doors to shut in the wintertime.

Design two doors along the back since it is such a long span so that you can open one and keep the other shut. Along the front, you will have to have double mesh wiring which is uncovered in the summertime and you will have to screw in a couple of panels of wood in the wintertime to make it warmer and be more air tight. 



Access 

Bear in mind when building a chicken coop that you'll have to have easy access to the inside for maintenance and cleaning  as well as to retrieve any eggs. Construct big double doors that will swing open and go one step more and have a concrete pad poured underneath it. This will let you easily remove all the shavings off the floor and sanitize the whole region monthly.
Photo:Simon Howden