How to Build A Chicken Coop In A Weekend

Raising chickens is a simple hobby that provides you and your family with eggs, meat and fertilizer. Just like any other animal, chickens require stable housing. Building a stable chicken coop is quite easy; you don't have to be a skilled carpenter to do this. The materials needed are inexpensive and the plans readily available and easy to follow. The process will only take a day or even less and as long as the basic needs of chicken are met, they will be happy and healthy. Below are simple tips on how to build your own chicken coop.

1. Design

Before you do anything, sketch your design on a sheet of paper. Make sure you include a large window for proper ventilation and a door large enough for you to enter and collect your eggs and also clean the coop.

2. Dimensions

The size and shape of your chicken coop will depend on the number of chicken you want to keep. Each chicken will need an area of around four square feet. Also make a space for perch and nest boxes; these two are placed on the walls of the coop. Keep in mind that you will need a nest box for every four to five laying hens and the perches should be six to ten inches apart.

3. Building materials

Look around your home to see if you have any available material to build the chicken coop. You can use scrap lumber, plywood, chicken wire or any other form of fencing. Internally you'll also need waterers, straw and pick up feeders. Most of these things are available in your local store.

4. Protect your chickens from predators

Cover all the windows securely with a chicken wire, place a latch on the door to help you secure the coop when necessary and cover the yard area with a netting to keep owls and hawks away. If you experience very cold winters you could consider a sliding window to ensure maximum protection of your chickens.

5. Ventilation and insulation

Build your coop on a high and well-drained area to avoid dampness. Also make sure the walls of the coop have proper insulation to help keep the chickens dry. As for the windows, consider putting them on the south facing side for ventilation during summer and also to allow the sun to warm up your coop during winter.

6. Feeders

Place the feeder at an elevated spot so that dirt doesn't get into food and water.

By following these simple tips you can easily build a chicken coop in a weekend and within a short while, you can start enjoying your eggs.

You'll find a wealth of information on building your own chicken coop at http://homechickencoop.com/