Chicken Coop Info

Do you want fresh eggs every day for breakfast? Maybe you want the benefit of your own organic eggs, without hormones or god-knows-what chemicals? No matter the reason you’ve decided to keep hens, you’ll need a place to house them. So how do you build a chicken coop? Here are things you need to consider before you hammer in that first nail.

Location, location, location

Do northern winds whip across your property every winter? While chickens are remarkably hardy, they’re not invincible. Their feet, combs, and wattles are particularly vulnerable to frostbite. How do you build a chicken coop that keeps your animals warm? One way to winterize your bird house is to install ceramic or red-light heat lamps, like those used to heat reptile cages. You might also plan to insulate the coop as well as windproof the run with a removable tarp.

Does it reach a sweltering 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade? If so, how do you build a chicken coop that protects your flock? One heat-busting strategy is to paint the roof white, reflecting the heat that makes hens less comfy. You might also consider planting taller, chicken-safe plants on the south side of the coop to provide summer shade.

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Size does matter

Do you want a couple of chickens to provide breakfast, or do you want to sell enough eggs to send your son to college? The number of chickens in your yard will be a big factor in coop size. For a 4-H project, a small ark-style coop is ideal, while a flock of Faverolles might require a larger house. If you need to know how do you build a chicken coop, remember to consider the variety of bird. A Jersey Giant, for instance, will need more space than an Orpington Bantam.

Safety first

From the neighborhood pooch to native hawks, your chickens can be at the mercy of the local wild (or not-so-wild) life. So how do you build a chicken coop that protects your birds and their eggs from foxes, raccoons, cats, rats, and hawks?  Start by covering windows with a good-quality chicken wire. Many expert poultry keepers line the floor with wire as well, which prevents foxes from digging into the hen house from the ground underneath. Finally, discourage roaming predators by closing all doors and windows each night.

Money matters

How do you build a chicken coop that’s easy on the bank account? You can find pre-built chicken coops at farm stores or online. The problem is that they carry a hefty price tag, and they need to be shipped to your home, which adds to the cost. Most of them also require at least some assembly anyway, so it’s probably smarter–and more economical–to build your own.

While you could visit the local hardware store to stock up on supplies, you can save money by using recycled materials. Depending on the design you choose, you may be able to re-use things like concrete blocks, plywood, wire, roof shingles, and even vinyl flooring left over from your last kitchen project. Don’t be shy about raiding the scrap piles of family and friends, either.

Woodshop 101

Even if your last woodworking project was in 8th-grade shop class you can still build a basic hen house. With an easy-to-follow plan and standard tools, the most inexperienced carpenter can build a chicken coop in a few days or less.

So how do you build a chicken coop? By considering everything from climate to design and materials to experience, you can construct a home for your egg-laying friends.

Please click here for more information about how to build a chicken coop!

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