When building a chicken coop, it is suggested that you
follow the guidelines below for a successful endeavor.
Element #1. - Appearance and Design:
Sketch out your design on a sheet of paper before you do
anything else. Think of the colors you will paint the roof and chicken coop
walls. Always keep in mind that if your chicken coop is clearly visible to your
neighbors, (unless you live in a farm it will most likely be visible to your
entire neighborhood,) it shouldn't ever serve as a distraction or defacement of
its utmost surroundings. So make sure to design an aesthetically looking
chicken coop so that your neighbors do not complain of its detracting
appearance. Once finished, always remember to remove and dispose of any types
of garbage or weeds from around your chicken coop. Try to maintain an appealing
landscape around it to enhance its overall appearance.
Element #2. - Using Sound Judgment:
When designing your chicken coop structure, you must use
sound judgment in almost every aspect of the way.
For instance, you want to use building materials in which
the cleaning and disinfecting procedures will be quick and easy. The doors you
install should open inwards, not outwards. You don't want your chickens
roosting on your windows, so it is best to install sliding windows.
A question many people ask is how to build a chicken coop
who's floors are easy to hose and spray down without much puddling? Well the
secret to that is to slightly slope the flooring toward the door. This way,
when you spray out the chicken coop, the water will flow out, hence solving
your puddling problem.
Element # 3. - Protection from Hazardous Elements:
So you want to learn how to build a chicken coop with
maximum protection?
Then listen up.
Then listen up.
As you may know, a well built chicken coop will protect your
chickens from hazardous elements such as bad weather (heavy rain, wind, hale,
snow, cold climates, etc,) but they will also protect them from hungry
predators, theft and injury.
So how do we accomplish that?
Easy. You want to build a draft free chicken house with
windows and doors that can be opened and closed as needed. Make sure the
windows and doors both have proper screening systems installed in them such as
a heavy gage mesh wire. Building the chicken coop on a high yet well drained
area with ensure the least amount of dampness of the coop. Be sure to build
your chicken coop in an area that faces the sun which will help warm and dry
the soil and coop itself after it rains.
To protect your chickens from predators, the best thing to
do is to bury your outside runs with chicken wire all around the coop about 1
foot deep. This will prevent some very hungry predators such as raccoons, cats
and even dogs from digging underneath it.
Strategy # 4. - Coop Ventilation:
You may be wondering how to build a chicken coop that will
not only keep your chickens locked up and protected from bad weather and
predators yet receive the proper ventilation it requires. If so, then you
already understand the importance of draft free air movement from within the
coop. Chickens, much like humans, need fresh air and oxygen. The same goes for
the removal of unwanted excessive moisture and carbon dioxide. A chicken coop
with ample air movement and proper ventilation will help remove the ammonia
build up and dampness that may grow inside its walls.
Speaking of walls, the chicken coop walls should have proper
insulation installed which will help keep the chickens dry. As long as chickens
are dry, they can handle cold climates very well, but humidity plus cold
weather will cause health issues for your poultry. Therefore, insulated walls
are a must!
Strategy # 5. - Light Source:
If you want a good source of light and warmth for your
chickens during the cold months of the year and a solid source of ventilation
during the hot months, then be sure to install the chicken coop windows facing
the southside where they will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
On another note, if your goal is to raise chickens that will
produce great eggs all year round, then you should look into an electrical
source of light. You should be able to easily install an electrical light at
the height of the chicken coop's ceiling which will help keep your chickens
warm and help them lay better chicken eggs throughout the year. One ceiling
light should be enough for a small scale chicken coop, for larger chicken coops
though, try to install one electrical ceiling light per every 30 - 40 feet.
Strategy # 6. - Conveniently placed Wateres and Chicken
Feeders:
Chicken feeders and waterers should be placed where your
flock will have easy access to them. However, you have to becareful where you
place them because chickens like to make a mess of everything they eat due to
their chicken scratching instincts. I'm sure you don't want to see your chicken
feed mix all over the coop floors so, to avoid this, place the chicken feeders
at the height of the chicken's back. This way they will have to stretch their
necks up to eat but won't reach the feeders with their feet. Same goes for the
waterers. Just make sure to keep the waterers full of fresh clean water
throughout the day.
There you have it folks. 6 quick and easy
strategies that will show you how to build a chicken coop fast and efficiently.
Whether you're building a large scale chicken coop or a small one, these tips
should get you moving in the right direction.
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