Chicken Coop Info

Archive for the ‘Chicken Houses’ Category

There are basic design features you must keep in mind when you set out to make a chicken poultry house. Without paying attention to these basic elements, you could end up with very unhealthy poultry and a toxic environment for both humans and birds. Many people quickly invest in poultry and provide a makeshift home without really knowing what they are getting into until things start to go wrong.

What You Do Not Want To Have

1. After deciding on a location, realize that chances are that the chicken poultry house may be visible from the road, your neighbors and to you. Unsightly chicken coops can really affect the curb appeal of your home and also affect your own feelings of cleanliness and appeal toward your own property. Try to provide a place that is somewhat orderly looking and aesthetically pleasing to all who have to see it. You can easily use outdoor paint to decorate it or even plant shrubs or decorative grasses around it.

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2. You must provide a safe environment for the chickens. Remember, chickens have predators. Any predator such as a coyote, fox, raccoon, weasel, dog or even a cat that can readily gain access to the chicken house will do so with ill intent. One of the most common forms of protection is keeping the chicken house elevated. Wiring also plays a key role in keeping out predators. Be sure to dig roughly 12 inches down in the ground when putting wire around the chicken poultry house to even keep borrowing predators at bay. Keeping the house elevated and properly wired will also aid in keeping vermin out. Vermin bring disease and are unsanitary. If vermin are allowed entry and over run the area, your birds’ health may be at risk. Cement blocks are great for keeping the coop high enough to give adequate protection.

3. You have to have a poultry house that is made from durable materials. Untreated or scrap wood will rot. Not only is this unsightly on your property, it is not the best for the birds. When rotted wood is all you are able to provide, your chicken poultry house cannot offer enough protection from the elements. Harsh winter climates will be brutal for the chickens if they have to endure the cold with just rotted wood as their only protection. Rotten wood also will not give your chickens a water-proof home either. This can further lead to disease and result in unhealthy poultry.  Be sure to use wood that will hold up under the climate for your area, be it extremely cold or extremely warm.

4. Buildup of waste without a plan to remove it can be more than a mess. You have to have an effective means for keeping the chicken poultry house clean. The buildup of chicken feces is not just a nuisance to clean up after. When left to build up and exposed to dampness, it can put toxic fumes in the air. These fumes are harmful to both the chickens and people. One way to avoid any kind of harmful buildup is to put wire on the bottom so the waste simply falls to the ground.  Also, avoid building a coop that has any nooks or crannies in corners that the chickens may fill with waste.

Keeping these simple points in mind when starting to raise poultry and providing a chicken poultry house that is clean, safe and durable is easy to do when you know the facts. Simple common sense rules can help you get started.

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If you have ever built your own storage or playhouse structure, you have probably looked online for plans on how to build. Chicken house plans are also available for those who have decided to start raising chickens and are looking for ways of providing a good housing environment.

When looking for plans, you will find that some are more specifically detailed than others on how to build. Chicken house plans should include step-by-step instructions that will take you from the beginning of the project where you will choose your materials all the way to the finish where you will have a complete, adequate structure to house the number of chickens that you want to keep. Choosing those that offer pictures of the actual structure are often the easiest to follow.

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A chicken house, or coop, is there to provide two basic needs. It gives the chickens a place to lay their eggs and a shelter that will give them a safe retreat from predators and from harsh weather. These aspects should be kept in mind when determining which plans you will use so that you can appropriately determine how to build. Chicken house plans may also provide you with a chicken run which is the outside area where chickens can enjoy time outside away from the coop. Whether the chicken run is completely enclosed or the chickens are allowed to run freely should be based on the types of predators that may be nearby and other conditions in the area.

When you are determining the dimensions of your chicken house, you will need to allow at least 4.5 square feet per chicken. You will also need to provide nest boxes with about one box per three chickens. Many people think that they need a nest for each chicken but even when there are plenty of boxes available, chickens will share the same boxes. You will also need to provide a perch for the chickens that is three to four feet off of the ground. Allow nine inches of perch length for each chicken.

There are different considerations for chicken houses than for other types of buildings when determining how to build. Chicken house designs must be of the right size and style to allow for the number of chickens you have to be comfortable as well as to allow for easy cleanup. Ventilation and light are also important aspects in order to provide chickens with much needed fresh air and the maximum available sunlight. You may also choose to add an electric light to the coop.

Even the style and size of the door is an important feature that you will need to know to consider when deciding how to build. Chicken house plans aren’t normally concerned with this feature but if you build your house with a large door that opens inward, you will have easy access and cleaning the coop will be much simpler.

Getting all of the requirements and dimensions down on paper in a plan is an important first step in how to build. Chicken house plans can be adjusted to suit your needs once you know what changes you will need to make. You can always add storage space, light, a chicken hatchway, added ventilation, etc to existing plans. You will also need to keep in mind that feed and water containers will need to be implemented once the coop is made.

There are plenty of designs available as well as guides that will show you how to build. Chicken house plans can provide you with a starting place for designing your own custom built chicken house!

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Whether you’re keeping chickens so you can enjoy a fresh egg supply or so you can get natural pest and weed control, a small chicken house is a safe and effective way to house your flock. Before you invest in a pint-sized poultry house, check out these most frequently asked questions.

How do I get access to the inside of the house?

When it’s time to choose a small chicken house, make sure it’s designed for you as well as the chickens. Access eggs through small doors behind the nest boxes. When it’s time to clean, you’ll want a coop that lets you in through a full-sized door or through a hinged roof. If you have health conditions that limit your mobility, choose a design that allows you to access the nest boxes and the interior as easily as possible.

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How can I move my chicken coop?

One of the best features of using a small chicken house is its mobility. Coops that feature wheels and convenient carrying handles can be moved into a shady spot in the summer or a wind-protected area in the winter. It also allows you to move the house so the chickens have fresh grass and it gives the vegetation they ate yesterday a chance to re-grow. One particular type of coop, called an ark, is easy to move. It typically houses between 2 and 4 chickens and has no floor, which allows the birds to walk directly on the grass. Purchase ark-style houses through online stores or, if you’re a DIY-er, look for plans online and in books.

What’s the easiest way to clean my coop?

A small chicken house should be a breeze to clean, especially when it comes to bedding. Some poultry keepers place chicken wire under the bedding of raised coops. This allows droppings and dirt to drop onto the ground. Clean up is as simple as sweeping out the mess about once a week.

Others prefer what’s known as the “deep litter” method. Start by adding 6-8″ of bedding to the coop’s floor. Every few days, stir the soiled bedding on top down to the bottom of the pile. The droppings will decompose, creating a compost mixture. Add fresh litter to the top as needed. Deep litter fans say this method produces surprisingly little odor and requires much less maintenance than conventional bedding.

Whichever method you use, choose a small chicken house that’s designed to make cleaning as easy as possible. Features like a hinged roof or a person-sized door allow you to clean without much hassle. Remember to keep supplies handy, too. For example, hang a broom on a nearby wall or keep bedding in a nearby shed or garage.

Do I need to spend money on an elaborate chicken house?

Absolutely not! Your hens won’t care if the small chicken house looks like an outhouse instead of the White House. Sure, you can find fancy coop that’s already assembled, but it could break your piggy bank. For a fraction of the cost, you can build your own. There are a variety of plans available on internet sites and in chicken house books. Save even more money by using recycled materials rather than new ones.

Your poultry house can be easy to access, easy to move, and easy to clean. As a bonus, it can be built cheaply enough to satisfy Ebenezer Scrooge. Even if you’ve never had the pleasure of owning a small chicken house, there’s no better time to start than now.

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You’re ready to dive into the fun and exciting world of poultry, but you don’t know what chicken house equipment you need. Here are 5 must-have’s for your home coop:

1. Nest box – Hens will lay eggs just about anywhere. So if you don’t want to go on an Easter egg hunt every time you’re in the mood for an omelet, add a nest box to your list of gotta-have chicken house equipment. The boxes are lined with straw or other padding to protect the eggs from breaking. If you’re looking for easy egg access, make sure your coop has exterior doors you can open from the outside so you can reach in to pick eggs. Nest boxes are available commercially, or you can save money by finding simple plans so you can build them yourself.

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2. Roosting perch – Henrietta Hen needs a spot to sit, so good quality perches are an important part of your chicken house equipment checklist. Round perches in particular provide the most comfortable grip for birds. While you can purchase chicken perches, it’s also easy to create your own with ordinary dowels. To create a more natural environment, consider using branches as roosting perches. Make sure the perches are a minimum of 18-24″ off the ground. To prevent overcrowding allow at least 8-10″ of perching area for each bird.

3. Run – Experienced poultry keepers know that allowing chickens room to run makes the birds happy. The challenge is that it leaves them vulnerable to predators who enjoy a fresh chicken dinner as much as you do. To protect your flock, consider adding an important piece of chicken house equipment: a run. Think of this as your birds’ recess yard. They can step out into this fenced area to enjoy the sunshine or pick tasty bug snacks out of the grass. Hen-keeping experts recommend using mesh that’s about one half inch.

4. Bedding – A must-have addition to your chicken house equipment, bedding is spread on the floor of the coop and in the next boxes. It helps insulate the floor and nests so the hens stay warm during chilly days and cold nights. Wood pellets and pine shavings are common bedding materials. Some chicken keepers prefer to place litter on top of chicken wire to allow droppings to fall through. If you choose this method, you’ll want to make sure bedding storage is located near the coop so you can easily freshen the bedding material.

5. Feeders and waterers – Automatic feeders and waterers take a lot of the work out of keeping chickens. So, when you’re shopping for chicken house equipment, consider investing in these time-savers. For example, a nipple-watering system prevents the water from being fouled by feathers, dirt and leaves. Since they’re mounted, they also open up more floor space for your chickens to enjoy. Use  a large waterer, too–experts recommend it hold at least a gallon. Make life easier, too, by placing it near a hose or faucet for easy refills. Auto feeders should dispense food at specific times every day. If you are frequently away from home for more than a day at a time, auto feeders and waterers are a smart investment. Find them online or look for do-it-yourself plans.

Chickens are not as needy as other types of most house pets. By using simple chicken house equipment, you can keep chickens safe and happy enough to deliver the farm-fresh eggs you’re hungry for.

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From first-time chicken keepers to tried-and-true poultry fans, chicken house books are a smart investment for anyone interested in keeping their flocks healthy and happy. But with dozens of choices, it can be hard to figure out which book is right for you. Here are 4 features to look at when shopping for chicken house books.

The Author

Don’t buy a book from someone with little experience in poultry care or coop construction. Look for an author who’s “been there, done that.” Authors with experience in poultry veterinary care or farming are good bets. You may also be able to find chicken house books published by a chicken breeding organization or fan club.

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The Plans

These are probably the most important part of chicken house books. Look for an edition that offers a variety of style and size options. Don’t limit yourself to constructing a building from scratch. A good coop book might also include instructions for converting sheds and greenhouses into chicken houses.  If you’re passionate about your poultry, find an edition with plans that can be expanded as the size of your flock increases.

The Format

Many readers prefer conventional chicken house books, like the kind you can pick up in a bookshop or online book store. They’re easy to carry from your house to the workshed. Traditional books might also feature fold-out plans and templates that can help guide the construction project. The quality of plans in printed chicken house books is typically good since they’ve gone through the editing process.

E-books are an increasingly popular way to read chicken house books. They’re much more inexpensive than their bound counterparts, and you can start reading them as soon as the download is complete. The downside? Some find it difficult to read plans off of a computer screen. If you want to print the book, you can find yourself wading through a hundred loose leaf pages unless you organize it yourself into a folder or binder.

The Information

A university cooperative might publish the most up-to-date chicken care information, but that info is useless if it’s written for scientists. Avoid jargon and engineer-speak in favor of chicken house books that offer plans and information a real person can understand.

It’s not just the content that should be readable either. Stay away from chicken coop plans that look like your preschooler’s doodles in favor of well-illustrated drawings or, even better, full-color photos. Images for plans should also be a reasonable size–you shouldn’t need a magnifying glass to see what’s going on.

Also make sure the plans allow you to use basic tools that you already have or can easily borrow.

Experienced authors will offer more than building plans and pretty pictures. A good chicken coop book will also give solid advice for keeping chickens. From feeding and watering to predators and weather, expert authors clue you into the tips and tricks that make poultry keeping easier and less expensive.

The Takeaway

Chicken house books can be an invaluable tool for any poultry keeper, regardless of experience level. Take the time to find a book with a quality author, a variety of plans, and useful information, and you’ll soon have a go-to reference that will be useful for years to come.

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If you want to raise chickens and produce your own fresh, organic eggs, then you will need to start with a chicken house and run. A chicken house, or coop, is a place where the chickens have boxes that they can lay eggs in and nest as well as roost. It provides the protection that chickens need from harsh weather and predators and can even make an attractive addition to your yard.

A chicken house and run has an enclosed structure and an additional area where the chickens can get exercise and fresh air while still being confined to a safe area. The run is often on the ground where chickens can peck for bugs and is covered with wire to keep them inside.

Only those chickens that are used for laying eggs usually have nests and perches. Those kept for meat do not. There are also some chickens that are dept as pets, a novelty that is becoming more popular among urban residents. Depending on the area where you live, the laws about keeping chickens vary by state. City ordinances and zoning regulations may prevent you from keeping chickens at all but a commonly seen requirement in those areas where they are permitted is that the birds not be allowed to roam freely. Under these conditions, a chicken house and run that provides your chickens with protection from the weather and still allows them the room they need to get fresh air and exercise is especially important. Just check the laws of your area to see if there are regulations on the size of the property or the structure used to house chickens in your area or if the structure must be a specified distance from other structures.

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For those in rural areas with lots of room and no regulations, it is still important for you to provide your chickens with a chicken house and run regardless of the reason for raising the chickens. While you may have all the room you need to let the chickens run freely, there are many predators that are a threat to their well-being. While the run is used to provide exercise and safe air for the chickens, the biggest benefit comes from keeping the chickens confined to an area that predators can’t invade.

You may purchase a pre-built chicken house and run that is made into one unit but these can be extremely expensive. These may be made with the chicken run underneath the house where the chickens will have access to grass or they may be designed side-by-side. Some of them are made so they can be moved daily or regularly to give the chickens access to fresh, green grass. Even if you purchase only the chicken house, you will need to add the run yourself so that the birds can exit the coop and venture into the sun. Runs are typically made of a wooden frame with wire enclosing them so they are less expensive to make in comparison with the house.

The simplest and least expensive way to get the chicken house and run to accommodate your chickens is by making the entire structure yourself. You will find literally hundreds of different designs with lists of materials, important features of design, and step-by-step instructions so you can easily do-it-yourself. Choose a set of plans that has both the chicken house and run included and is designed for the number of chickens you will have. Whether you have chickens as pets or producers, you will find that the right living quarters will make your chickens healthier and happier!

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When it comes to chicken house plans, one size does not fit all. Just as every house and family is different, so are the coops people decide to use to house their poultry. There are also many styles and amenities to choose to customize the area you wish to provide for your birds. However, there are a few basics each chicken coop must have.

Air Flow and Lighting

Typically, you will want to provide a coop that will make your birds comfortable so they can be safe and healthy. Just like people, they need room to grow and move, along with access to fresh air. Windows and wire can provide much needed air and light for the chickens. Fresh air must be able to circulate throughout the coop. The more light that is allowed into the chicken coop, the better egg production you will get from the chickens. The optimal amount that helps chickens produce a steady supply all year is approximately 14 hours of light. This can be impossible to provide all year naturally, therefore you can have artificial light available. You can find Chicken house plans that allow you to add electricity and also provide adequate air flow.

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Building Materials

You can build your own chicken house using readily available plans and materials. Local hardware stores and surplus stores will often have all of the materials you need. If your chicken house plans call for wood, be sure to buy treated wood. If it is not treated, it will quickly rot and deteriorate. You will also want to stain the wood to further protect it from the elements. Along with wood, you can also use siding to build the body of the coop. When building a roof, be sure to properly slant it. A slanted roof will allow for rain run-off. Having a roof that allows for water to sit will only lead to leaking eventually. Common roof materials include wood, asphalt shingles, and metal.

You will want it elevated to protect it from vermin, predators, and weather. If it is a modest chicken house, the chicken house plans you choose may call for cement blocks as being adequate enough to keep it safely off the ground. However, if your plans are for a larger chicken house, you may want to put in a foundation for added support for the house. When it comes to paint, remember it will be outdoors all year long. You may also want to choose colors that are complimentary to your home if the chicken coop will be visible to others.

Design

When you look for chicken house plans, you may be pleasantly surprised at how elaborate some are.  They no longer have to look like crudely assembled boxes with wire haphazardly wrapped around it. There are many chicken house plans out there that compliment the style and design of your home. You can have your basic arc style chicken coop, yet paint it to match your home and add a fence that is decorative and functional for penning up your poultry. There are also plans that look like miniature Victorian homes with scalloped edging and multi-colored exteriors. Chalet style chicken house plans can have shutters that compliment your house also.

When looking to customize your chicken coop, you can basically go any aesthetic direction you wish. Once you have the basic elements of function, such as elevation, air flow and lighting, the rest only depends on what you want it to look like from the outside.

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Even if you are not a typical “do-it-yourselfer” , there are plans for chicken house construction that are simple enough for anyone to follow. If you start out thinking that you would prefer a pre-built coop for your chickens, once you have looked at the prices you will quickly change your mind. For many of us, nothing is more inspiring than saving money and when you take on the job of performing your own chicken house construction, you will most likely save hundreds of dollars and still have a chicken coop of comparable size and quality.

Once you have made the commitment to build your coop, you can start looking at internet sites that offer chicken coop plans. While there are many that charge for the plans, there are literally hundreds of sites where you can get plans for free. Here are some tips on what to look for when deciding which chicken house plans to go with:

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•    Some of the plans offer a downloadable version that you can print out while others have pictures of the step-by-step instructions that tell you how to accomplish each part of the chicken house construction. Decide which works best for you. Some of us can read recipes and cook a perfect dish while others must see it prepared before they can mimic the procedure. Choosing the right plans that are easiest for you to follow will make your job easier and give you the best results.

•    Read the plans carefully to make sure they offer specific details about what to do. For a newcomer who has minimal carpentry skills and is just learning about raising chickens, there is a big difference between “pour a concrete floor in the standard dimensions required for a chicken coop”  and “set up boards that are three feet long x four inches wide and fasten together by driving a single nail into the area pictured, etc.”  Look for terms that you have never heard before that will make the chicken house construction confusing to you. Stick with plans designed specifically for beginners or those that are considered “easy” . Then make sure that they are.

•    Chicken coops are not “one size fits all” . There are floor space requirements and for laying hens, there are nesting boxes and roosts to consider. Any set of plans should take these requirements into consideration and they should tell you how many chickens the coop is designed for. This is an important feature of your coop and you shouldn’t ignore the maximum number of chickens recommended.

•    The plans you choose should give you a list of material requirements and list the tools needed to do the chicken house construction. Stay away from plans that require the use of elaborate tools or those you have never heard of. A simple set of plans should require the use of simple tools like a saw, hammer, and nails.

•    Choose plans that include a wire enclosed chicken run and an access door from the coop to the run. You should also go with a design that allows for easy clean-up and access for gathering the eggs. You want to keep predators out but allow room for you to get in!

With the right plans, chicken house construction can be an easy project for even those with minimal carpentry skills. With a little hard work, you can provide your chickens with a safe place to roost and a work of art that you can be proud of!

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When it comes to raising chickens on your own property, there are important guidelines to consider when preparing a wooden chicken house for your poultry. Without following these guidelines, especially in regards to size, you run the risk of failing to raise healthy and productive poultry. Since chickens are an investment of both time and money, you will want to do everything you can to ensure success.

Size of Coop in Respect to Number of Chickens

You will discover that you can find ideas and plans for your wooden chicken house in virtually every style and with every amenity available. Regardless of the amount of amenities, if you chicken house is too small, you can have serious consequences. An important guideline to follow is to know the adequate square foot recommendations per bird. Commonly, two to four square feet of space for each chicken is described as ideal. If you have a 4 by 6 foot chicken coop, you can comfortably house up 12 chickens but you do not want to go over that number. One rule of thumb is that the more room you have for your bird, the better.

On the flip side, you do not want to invest in too much space and waste money on excessive materials by going overboard. Building an 8 by 10 wooden chicken house for just a handful of chickens is not the best use of money and space. Finally, in regards to size, the bird size is also one point to consider. Remember, baby chicks grow up. Bantam chickens are smaller and may do well in a smaller coop with only about 4 square feet of space in an outdoor run. Larger breeds that definitely require two or more square feet of room in the coop will also need about 10 feet of outdoor run space.

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Adverse Side Effects of an Inadequate Wooden Chicken House

If you do take the “less is more” approach or simply have invested in more birds than you can realistically house, you will probably notice the adverse effects of not having the recommended space. Birds that are too cramped will not produce eggs at a normal or ideal rate. This can make your investment for egg production counterproductive and a waste of resources. You will also notice lack of proper space in your wooden chicken house can lead to the birds harming each other, be it troublesome pecking of their roommates or all out cannibalism. A coop that is too small for the amount of birds in it can also become a breeding ground for disease. The tight quarters will allow any illness in the birds to spread quicker. Tight spaces can also allow for a toxic level of fumes from the chicken waste to build up. This is itself is not safe or healthy for the birds.

Use Your Space Wisely

When trying to match up the number of chickens, breed to raise, and size of the wooden chicken house you either build or buy, remember that is will not just sit empty and that all of the room inside is not for the birds to roam around in. Take the additions and wanted amenities into consideration before you invest in birds. Such amenities that will require room in the coop include perches to rest and sleep on, nesting boxes and feeding and watering supplies. Once you take all of this into consideration and provide your poultry with comfortable and adequate room to breathe and live with their coop mates, you will begin to see the benefits of your hard work and can enjoy owning healthy and happy chickens.

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Want to keep chickens on the cheap? From a houseful of hens to a gaggle of geese, a large chicken house is an ideal way to keep your birds safe and sound. Commercially built coops can be on the pricey side, so here are the top 5 ways to build a super-sized coop that won’t drain your bank account.

1. Do it yourself – You could buy pre-assembled kits or hire a contractor to build a large chicken house, but budget-conscious poultry keepers tackle the task themselves. You can find plans to accommodate nearly size and budget. Look for plans online or in poultry-keeping books.

2. Go green – Rather than shopping the local home improvement store for new materials for your large chicken house, use recycled materials. Wood and wire scraps from long-finished house and garden projects can be incorporated into your design. Don’t limit the use of old materials to the coop itself. Make like MacGyver and get creative with chicken house equipment, too. Use flowerpots for nests or vinyl scraps to line nest boxes or floors.

You can also go green by transforming what you already have into a large chicken house. From the big dog run that’s been unused for years to the abandoned tool shed, you may already have all you need to create coop for your birds.

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3. Enlist Mother Nature – Cut down on heating and cooling costs for your large chicken house by using nature. For instance, plant large trees on the southern side of your poultry house. By choosing varieties that shed their leaves in the winter, you can provide cooling shade in the summer and warm sunlight in the winter.

You can also let Mother Nature cut costs by placing ventilation, such as window or vents, on the southern and eastern sides of your house. Since the wind is less likely to blow from these directions, you can provide fresh oxygen. The result is that the chickens get the ventilation they need without the draftiness they don’t. What’s more is that southern-facing windows will help warm up the coop in the wintertime.

4. Plan for the future – Maybe you’re the proud owner of a dozen birds, but how many will you have in 3 or 5 years? When you build a large chicken house, consider using a design that allows you to easily expand its capacity. It’s true that this might cost a little more now, but it can save you big bucks down the road when you decide to add more hens to the flock.

5. Moving day – Whether the flock needs a shadier spot or a fresh patch of grass, you might be looking for a large chicken house that goes where you want it to. While wheels are fine for moving a small coop, a larger house should be on skids. When it’s time to move the house out to another part of the property, simply hitch it to tractor or riding mower and pull it to the new spot.

A large chicken house shouldn’t put you in the poorhouse. From reusing building materials to smart building placement, a little planning you can help cut down on costs without sacrificing quality. The result? Happier birds and a fatter wallet–and who doesn’t want that?

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