Chicken Coop Info

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There are a large number of free plans online that show you how to build your own chicken coop. If you are in a hurry to get your chickens housed, you will also find several designs to build a chicken coop in three days. You can always make the choice to get a ready-built chicken coop or one that is partially assembled so that you don’t have to make the effort or spend the time making your own. Or you can build a chicken coop in three days and save hundreds of dollars in the process! Not only are pre-built coops very expensive, they also require you to pay the extremely high shipping charges to get one delivered to your home. When you choose the three day option for making it yourself, you can take a long weekend and be ready to bring home the chickens by the time you go back to work! You can find the plans to build a chicken coop in three days that is not only affordable, but is also attractive. Many of the plans you will find were designed by farmers who know exactly what it takes to raise happy, healthy chickens. They have created a number of attractive designs that you can duplicate with easy to follow instructions and no fancy tools. In addition, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you made it with your own two hands!

A chicken coop does more than look good in your backyard. It protects your chickens from bad weather and predators. By providing your chickens with adequate housing, you will help them stay healthier and increase their production. Chickens need a safe and comfortable home with plenty of ventilation and light as well as the insulation and protection from drafts and severe temperatures to ensure they are healthy. Chickens can handle cold better than heat but they can’t handle being wet and cold. You will need to build a chicken coop that helps keep moisture out including that which can be absorbed through the floor. How to Choose the Best Plans to Build a Chicken Coop in Three Days Although there are many great plans available, there are some features you will need to look for to ensure you are able to complete the structure within the three day time frame. For starters, you will want plans that are simple to follow with a step-by-step guide. Stay away from plans that you must order and can’t see firsthand before you order to be sure you get the right features. If you choose to purchase plans that you can download online, make sure they have a money back guarantee. A thirty or sixty day guarantee will certainly cover the three day construction period as well as any time it takes to purchase your materials. Some of the sites online that offer plans on how to build a chicken coop in three days are set up as a membership rather than the purchase of a single item. If you opt for purchasing plans rather than getting plans for free, opt for a membership that will give you access to a number of plans to take care of your needs now and in the future. You can also benefit from the tips on raising chickens these sites offer if you are an amateur. If you are careful to choose from plans that explain in full detail what you need, you really can build a chicken coop in three days that you can be proud of!

When you start looking for plans for a chicken coop, you will find that there are many experts on the subject and they don’t all agree. Some think that you need to keep your chickens shut up tight all winter while others believe it’s important for the chickens to have outdoor access all year round. You can compromise between the two and find plans for a chicken coop that provide fresh air as well as a retreat where chickens will be safe from harsh weather and predators.

You don’t have to choose strictly between those designs that keep chickens inside or turn them loose all day. Instead, keep the important features in mind that will help you raise healthy, happy chickens in a safe environment.

One style of raising chickens is known as “free-range” where chickens were traditionally kept in an area that had no fence or in a field that was large enough so that fencing wasn’t needed. The term free-range has been replaced with the term “pastured poultry” which refers to birds that are in pens that are moved daily to allow access to growing plants.

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If you search for plans for a chicken coop, you will find those that can be moved for pastured poultry if that is the style of farming you decide to use for your poultry. While small coops that are made to accommodate only a small number of chickens can be moved by hand, there are also large transportable coops that must be moved with a tractor.

Depending on your climate, you may, or may not have appropriate weather to keep chickens outside. You don’t want to expose them to harsh winter weather or extremely hot summers. Since the idea behind raising pastured poultry is to give them fresh air, green grass, and new opportunities to find bugs, putting them outdoors in extreme weather will only defeat your purpose and put chickens at risk.

Plans for a chicken coop that is used for pastured poultry operations should include directions for wind proofing the coop. Portable houses are prone to blow over in high wind and this can lead to catastrophic results. Since heavier houses tend to be more windproof than lighter ones, either add enough features (for example, nesting boxes) to provide enough weight to your chicken house or consider using stakes to hold securely in place.

When choosing from plans for a chicken coop that is free-range, you will have to keep some things in mind that may not be mentioned with the plan design. Chickens that are free-range are at more risk from predators than those in confinement. You will need to create an area for them to have protection from the threat of both daytime and nighttime predators. You should have doors and windows to access the inside with heavy screen coverings that can’t easily be broken.

Other considerations you should make when considering plans for a chicken coop are the exposure the chickens will have to both heat and cold. Heat is even more dangerous than cold, especially after the brooding period. You will need to provide chickens with shady areas and fresh air and also make sure they have plenty of water containers that are always filled with clean water.

Plans for a chicken coop can be found to build a free-range coop that will provide you with everything your chickens need as long as you keep all the needed features in mind to ensure you have what it takes to provide your poultry with a safe, comfortable environment!

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If you are going to keep chickens for profit or as a hobby, then having the right housing for them is an essential part of raising healthy poultry. If you don’t want to invest a lot of money, free chicken house plans that you find on online can provide you with an economical way to build the chicken house you need. However, choosing the plans is only the first part of your venture and the building materials are often where the major expenses lie.

Save Even More When Choosing Materials for Your Free Chicken House Plans

There are some additional ways to save money on your chicken house. When you are browsing through the free chicken house plans that are available, consider only those that give you a complete list of what materials you will need. Otherwise, you may end up purchasing the wrong materials and having to replace them or you may simply get more than you actually need.

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There are hundreds of different designs available and you can adjust them to suit your needs depending on your carpentry skills. Unlike the typical chicken coop of the past, today’s chicken houses are made in many attractive designs that look more like a playhouse in your backyard than they do a coop. It is important, however, to choose the free chicken house plans that you have the skills to complete and that will meet your needs rather than basing your choice primarily on the attractiveness of the design.

If you are going to have only a small flock of chickens, there are many designs for coops that are portable and will offer the added convenience of being transportable. Rather than being made with a floor, you transport them to different areas of the lawn regularly to provide the chickens with fresh lawn. This is a good option for those who don’t have a lot of space to provide chickens with a run where they can move around. As a bonus, you don’t have to clean up the droppings since they will fall to the ground!

If you are going to have a larger flock of birds, you will find free chicken house plans for all sizes of houses including small, medium, and large ones. It is important to provide your chickens with plenty of room and to choose a design that will accommodate the maximum number of birds that you will have.

Materials to Use with Your Free Chicken House Plans

You don’t have to limit yourself to using new materials if you are trying to build your chicken house on a budget. While new wood is the most common material used for building chicken coops, you can also find used or scrap lumber available at some businesses. The same is true for windows and shingles. Call your local lumber supply store to see what they have available before you purchase new lumber. Some lumber stores also have the free chicken house plans available that you can use to help design your new structure.

You can also use other materials besides wood for your chicken house. If you have an old shed that is already standing, you may be able to do some simple repairs and transform it into a new coop. You may also use an old camper, pipes, barrels, etc. Many of the items that you will find lying about unused can be incorporated into your free chicken house plans in one way or another. Remember, everything you can get used or free will save you a little more money and help you create the chicken house you need without spending a fortune!

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If you’ve been shopping for a chicken coop, you know how expensive a fully assembled model can be. They can set you back as much as $1000–and that’s before you pay to have it shipped to you! By investing in plans for chicken coops, you can build a poultry house that keeps the birds healthy as well as safe from weather and predators. Here are 3 questions to ask yourself when shopping for plans:

1. Will it keep the chickens healthy?

Most experts agree that it’s better to have too much space rather than too little. Chicken overcrowding can lead to feather picking, low levels of egg laying, and, in severe cases, cannibalism. Not only is this obviously bad for the chickens, it also leads to reduced egg quantity and quality for you.

Plans for chicken coops should allow at least 4 square feet of space for each bird. The minimum space required for a chicken will vary with variety, with larger birds needing somewhat more space. Consult a qualified website or a book to find out how much space your variety needs so you can find coop plans that are sized correctly.

Ventilation is another important factor for healthy hens. Without good air flow, the ammonia from their fecal matter builds up, causing a nosehair-burning smell that will bother you and the birds. Make sure the chicken coop design provides plenty of fresh air for your flock.

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2. Will it keep the chickens safe?

From digging foxes to slithering snakes, there are a lot of critters who’ll see your chicken coop as an all-they-can-eat smorgasbord. To keep your yard from becoming a nature documentary, use blueprints that include safety precautions. For example, plans for chicken coops should include a fenced run. This will keep out a host of predators, including dogs, raccoons, and, the arch-predator of chickens, foxes. For most runs, traditional wood or wire fences at least 6 feet high will deter predators. If you have a determined carnivore, poultry keeping experts recommend running wire mesh about 12 inches deep into the ground underneath the fence.

Think the conventional-sized chicken wire will keep your animals safe? Think again. Standard mesh is big enough to allow raccoons to get their paws through to claw at the birds. Poultry keeping experts recommend using one-half inch square mesh on fencing and window covers to stop raccoons and other critters from injuring the chickens.

Plans for chicken coops should also include another predator-frustrating feature: a door that closes automatically at nightfall. Light sensors allow the door to roll up each morning and then close again after dark.

3. Will it be easy for you to use?

Plans for chicken coops should also include options for making it easy to clean the house and harvest the eggs. Many chicken houses feature nest box doors that allow you to pick the eggs easily. If you’re considering a smaller coop, it might sport a hinged roof that gives you full access to the interior. Larger coops typically have a people-sized door that lets you walk right into the building for cleaning and maintenance.

Whatever plans for chicken coops you use, remember that the house should keep your animals healthy and safe as well as be easy for you to use.

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When you get ready to build a house for your chickens, you could purchase plans that are made in a number of different attractive designs or you can get chicken coop plans for free that will help you produce an equally attractive chicken coop for your flock. Not all people are looking to build a chicken coop with the same goals in mind so there are different considerations you may have when looking for the plans. Even though you can get your chicken coop plans for free, you will need to know what your priorities are in order to get the best plans for the desired outcome.

Build a Chicken Coop That Is “Green”

For a chicken coop that is both economical and kind to the environment, you will want to use as many “recycled” materials as possible. When you search online, you will find that there are plans for chicken coops that require the use of scrap and recycled materials. However, if you are not a skilled carpenter, it will probably be more difficult to determine exactly what your needs are when you go to buy your supplies. While most plans will include a more specific list of the exact materials needed, you may need to adjust as you go when working with these materials. If you get chicken coop plans for free that are designed specifically for using with recycled and scrap materials, you will get more information on the types of products you can use and how to choose them.

To simplify things, if you already have an old shed or a small camper that has been deemed “no longer useable”, then you may only have to convert it into a new coop rather than building a coop from scratch. Otherwise, you can still save a lot of money by purchasing used lumber or scraps that are available at many lumber yards. You will find chicken coop plans for free that will not only help you build the structure, but help you find less expensive ways of providing food and water for your chickens without buying new water containers and feeders.

Build a Coop that is Designed Especially for Your Breed of Chickens

The biggest reason that most people start raising chickens is for the fresh eggs. They taste better and are believed to be a healthier choice over those you get from the supermarket. If you are going to raise chickens for the purpose of having fresh eggs, then you will need to look for plans that have nesting boxes and a roost included. There are plenty of chicken coop plans for free that have specifications for both of these. Not only will you need to add these features in the right sizes but you will also need to consider the best location for convenience of cleaning as well as for accessing the coop. Chickens kept for other purposes do not require nest boxes or roosts.

Get the Right Size of Chicken Coop Plans for Free

Although you may be tempted by an especially attractive design of chicken coop, make sure it is the size you need. You should never keep more chickens in a coop than is recommended since they need ample space in order to be healthy and productive. You also don’t need a large coop for only two or three chickens when you have little space in your backyard to keep it. Depending on the area where you live, finding the right chicken coop plans for free will keep you, your chickens, and even your neighbors happy!

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- Choose Your Chicken Coops Plans Wisely

Once you have made the decision to build your own chicken coop, it is important to come up with a list of needed features before choosing you chicken coops plans for the design. There are hundreds of different plans available and you may be tempted to make your choice based entirely on the appeal of the style. While a coop resembling a little red barn may look too adorable to pass up, that doesn’t mean that it has the features built in you will need for your chickens. Not all coops serve the same purpose or are for the same number of chickens so you need to make your choice based on needed features.

These are some of the things you should consider when choosing the chicken coops plans you will use as your guide:

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•    How many chickens are you going to have? Many of the coops you will find plans for will give you a range of how many chickens they will accommodate. Choose one that will accommodate the maximum number of chickens you intend to have at any given time.

•    How much room do you have for your coop? If you are a backyard farmer, then the amount of space you have to use for your coop is an important consideration. A large coop may not be appropriate for your backyard and may not even be legal. To take up less space, consider chicken coops plans that take up more room vertically rather than taking up your square footage.

•    What breed of chickens are you going to use? There are different requirements for different chickens so you will want to do some research to decide which ones are best suited for your needs and what style of coop will work best for that particular breed.

Important Characteristics to Have in your Chicken Coops Plans

1.    If you have laying chickens, they need between 1.5 to 2 square feet of coop space. Those raised for meat will need a little more. It is important to have enough space for your chickens in order to prevent many health issues.

2.    Whether the chicken coops plans you choose allow for proper ventilation or not, it is important that you install it in order to prevent the build-up of toxic fumes and to provide fresh air for the chickens.

3.    If you live in a region that has seasons or harsh weather, you will need to insulate your chicken coop to protect the chickens from extreme heat or cold.

4.    Use flooring that will prevent rodents from being a problem. A concrete floor along with secure walls and fencing can prevent the diseases that rodents can carry from being introduced to the chickens and it will also prevent them from eating their food.

5.    Make sure you have enough access to food and water for the number of chickens you have and keep them clean and filled. All of the chickens should have easy access to feed and water.

6.    Provide areas for your chickens to roost above the ground comfortably with a height of about one-and-a-half feet above the ground or floor of the coop.

7.    Provide a wire enclosure where the chickens can “run free” without any danger from predators.

With a little research, you can find the ideal chicken coops plans to help you build a coop that will suit your needs as well as those of your chickens!

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