We’ve created an easy 4 step chicken coop building process to help you on your road to poultry raising success! Below are a list of chicken coop ideas, designs, and practical information you will need to determine what kind of chicken coop you should have. Regardless of the space you have outdoors, a backyard chicken coop is possible and we’ll show you how to plan for your own in this easy step-by-step tutorial.
1. How Many Chickens Should You Have?
The first thing to do is to decide how many of chicken you plan to raise. The dimensional plan of the coop will rely on this vital information. Keep in mind that there is a minimum space allotted for each chicken in a coop, which must be at least 4 sq. ft. for each chicken. In other words, if you are considering raising 10 chickens in a coop then you must follow an ideal dimension of 40 sq. ft. for the coop. It is however recommended to build a larger coop than the minimum space required for each chicken.
2. Plan Your Chicken Coop
Planning for your chicken coop is very important in the process of building one. Raising chicken entails the responsibility of providing them a shelter that will keep them safe and comfortable. Here are a few points to consider when planning for your chicken coop:
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Materials for Shelter and Protection
Chickens are easy prey for nocturnal wild animals such as foxes or coyotes. Choose predator-proof hardware for your coop. A chicken wire mesh is an ideal material to cover up the outer portion of the coop. Use locks, such as barrel-bolt latches, that can’t be easily flicked open by a paw. This will safeguard your flock from unwanted visitors.
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Prop Your Coop Up
There are many benefits of elevating your coop from the ground. It keeps you flock’s feet dry during wet weather, it lets them move freely around the coop and adds protection from predators. Build your coop at least 2-3 feet above the ground.
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Perch Area
Including a perch area in you coop plan is important. Chickens sleep best on perches. Make sure to give your chickens ample perch space so things don’t get too cramped for them.
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Nesting Boxes
Nesting boxes are an essential element for all chicken coops. An ideal nesting box must be at least 4 inches deep to keep the eggs safe. On average, a chicken will lay an egg every 1-2 days. Keep your nesting area large enough so that all your chickens can lay as many eggs as they can.
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Proper Ventilation
Without proper ventilation, your chickens could easily get sick from the stale air inside the coop. It is important to consider this in the design plan of your coop. Allow sufficient airflow inside the coop by installing a vent or a window.
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Adequate Insulation
Keep your coops well insulated from heat and cold to prolong the life of your chickens. Determine the type of weather conditions the coop will be exposed to consistently and base the insulating materials you need on that information.
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Accessibility
You must include in your plan how to easily gain access to clean the chicken coop and gather eggs. You don’t want to work from awkward angles and risk harming yourself or your chickens while bending and leaning over the coop. Install access doors and droppings trays for easy clean up.
3. Gather Materials and Tools
List all the materials and tools you need for your chicken coop. It is ideal to have get the exact measurements required to provide the ideal home for your chicken so you will be able to estimate how much materials you need to build it.
4. Build Your Coop!
Now that you have all the necessary information, tools and materials together, it’s time to construct your chicken coop in a systematic manner by following the step-by-step procedure from the coop plan you made. This may seem simple, but a step out of place could cause you a lot more work if you decide to build out of order. Build the bottom foundation first then move up gradually from ground up. Installing the doors, windows and roofing should be last.