1 Critical Step In Building Chicken Coop

The initial step to making a chicken coop is planning properly. There are many typical errors when building a chicken coop. Here are some tips to help you avoid those errors and begin enjoying the conveniences of raising chickens!

The very first thing to determine is how many chicks and hens will this coop house? One of the most common mistake is building a coop too small. The rule of thumb is generally that there should be 4 square feet per bird. So if you anticipate having 4 birds you should have a coop about 4' x 4'. Some say it can possibly be smaller yet for healthy chickens and the most reliable eggs, building a bigger coop is much better if you have the room.

The other thing to consider in regards to the size and design when constructing your chicken coop is your very own access! You will want simple access to clean, collect eggs, feed, and water.

Now that you have the size of the chicken coop, where are you going to put it? You can not just simply build a chicken coop wherever you have room. Your chicken coop should be in a high place to prevent puddling or flooding due to rain or even cleaning. One hint on this topic might be to build your chicken coop with a very slight slant in the floor and also the roof for proper drainage. No one wants to cope with a damp, cranky chicken!

You want to build a chicken coop where the windows face the south. Yes, when you assemble your chicken coop, you need windows for proper ventilation. With the windows of your coop facing south, it will allow for cooling ventilation in the summers and will help to stay warmth in during the winters. Depending upon the climate where you are building your chicken coop, you may want to use slider windows in a cooler climate. For a warmer climate, you may be able to get away with using wire netting, chicken wire, mesh, etc

. Now that your chickens will be secured from the elements inside the chicken coop you have built, it is important to protect them from predators. You need to give the chickens ample room to move but you need to create a perimeter around your coop with chicken wire fencing that is submerged into the ground 12 inches and above ground about 4 feet high. This will keep other animals from burrowing underneath or getting over the fence. Several chicken coops are built with wire over the top of the fencing also to protect from hawks or owls. These actions will not only deal with the chickens safety but also from diseases spread by other animals.

There you have it build a chicken coop and can start enjoying bountiful fresh eggs and deal with the rewards of raising chickens in your very own backyard!

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