Chicken coops are very simple to make. Chicken coop plans will of course make it a lot easier, but at the end of the day it’s a simple job, especially if you’re already familiar with hammers and nails. This article outlines what you need to think about before building a chicken coop.
To start off, you need to decide on how big your flock is going to be, thus how big of a coop you require. There are essentially 3 sizes here: a portable triangular prism coop, a larger box-shaped coop, or a full blown premium coop with a run. I highly recommend starting off with a medium coop, since you never know how big your flock is going to get, and they’re easily expandable in the future.
Next comes positioning. Most chicken breeds need sunlight to remain in peak laying health. Place the coop away from light blocking trees or walls, and try to position it to get as much morning sunlight as possible. Placing your coop correctly can be the difference between 2 eggs a week and 5 eggs a week.
Research what kind of predators live in your geographical area. You really should build security precautions depending on what wild animals are around. For foxes you should bury a length of wire mesh around the perimeter of your coop to prevent them from digging underneath. There is not a lot you can do about snakes, but it pays to know what the risks are anyway.
Chicken Coop Plans Online
There are plenty of options available when it comes to downloadable building plans. However, some plans are much better quality than others, and will provide you with additional information about different types of chicken coops.
