Chicken Coops Plans - Building a Chicken Coop

Chicken Coops Plans Building a Chicken Coop

Have you come to the conclusion that you want to raise chickens? Do you want to ensure that you have an adequate place for them to live? Of course, it is essential that before actually acquiring them you have a place for them to live, which is where chicken coops plans come into play.

In reality, a lot of people choose to go to a retail store and purchase a coop that has been constructed by professionals, so why should you not do the same?

Obviously a prefabricated example is likely to be a lot more expensive than building a one yourself. Whilst most people would think that a professionally built example would be better, there are in fact usually inferior in quality in comparison to DIY projects.

Most coop manufacturers also follow set criteria and chicken coops plans but with one aim; to build them quickly and cheaply. They want to make a profit and this is their only goal, where as an owner of chickens, we want to ensure that they are both comfortable and secure!

Obtaining chicken coops plans essentially means that you are embarking on a great DIY project; building a chicken coop. It is a slow and steady process that not only saves money, but ensures the house for your animals is the best it can be.

Here are a few things to take into consideration before starting the build.

Top Tip #1 Location and space

Your animals need as much space as you can provide, so do not try and fit the poultry house into a small space. Without enough space, they will become uncomfortable and could become aggressive towards each other.

When planning where to locate the coop, use a guide of 3-5 square feet per chicken. Most sets of chicken coops plans will explain this, but if they do not, then make sure you add it to the plan.

Top Tip #2 Maintenance

Every animal needs some kind of maintenance, and with chickens, it is the cleaning and maintenance of their house. A lot of people do not build chicken coops in such a way that they are easy to maintain, which is a fundamental error.

Do you have easy access to it for cleaning? Will you be using water and if so, do you have drainage points and methods to make it dry quickly?

Top Tip #3 Security

When using the chicken coops plans, pay close attention to section that describes how to protect it from predators. Be under no illusion that they will attack if they can. Simple things, such as reinforcing the coop with mesh wire will help to ensure predators can not gain access.

Top Tip #4 Comfort

Your animal will need to be kept at the right temperature to ensure they are comfortable, as well as keeping dry. This means in the summer the coop needs to be ventilated and in the winter, it needs to be insulated.

Remember the likes of rain need to run off somewhere, so use the chicken coops plans to design it so this happens. Also, ensure that it is raised off the ground to ensure that it does not get flooded!

The above top tips are just a few ways to ensure that your animals are well looked after, so take them into account when using chicken coops plans.