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.