Build a DIY Chicken Coop Tips, Tricks, & Plans
Most households don’t have dogs because of certain allergies that one or two of the members have.
Well, what about a different kind of pet?
A goldfish or turtle might be a little too boring, so what about something to keep you waking up every morning?
Chickens don’t only make good pets, but their eggs can provide you with hearty breakfasts or even a business, if you’re up for it.
Much like any other pets, your chickens need a place to stay. You can’t keep them tied to a tree or running around your backyard – that can be rather dangerous, especially if you have cats around. You need space for your chickens, and here are a few simple tips to guide you on how to build a chicken coop in your home.
Where do I start?
For starters, come up with different ideas and plans on how you want your chicken coop to look like. Consider the available space in your backyard, the number of chickens you have, and your budget as well. For its appearance and design, you can get a few ideas from the Internet. Sketch how you want your chicken coop to look, and take it from there.
As for the design, it’s entirely up to you. However, you must make sure that your chicken coop primarily serves its purpose of housing your backyard chickens. Also, make it aesthetically speaking especially if it’s visible for your neighborhood to see.
Tips to help build your own backyard coop
Although there are a lot of helpful tips on building a chicken coop, remember that individual factors play a role as well – your innovation and creativity, among others.
However, following these tips would make things a lot easier for you.
- 1. Plan the design and structure. As mentioned, a little planning goes a long way. Imagine how your chicken coop will look like – color, shape, and size. Avoid designs and colors that stand out too much. Remember, your chicken coop has to be cleaned and disinfected. Use only materials that allow easy cleaning. Make sure the doors open inwards. Make the floor slope downwards towards the opening for easier cleaning.
- 2. Take note of the dimensions and other specs. The size of your coop depends on the number of chickens. Each of them needs around 2 square feet of space. Make room for perch space as well. The nest boxes as well as the perches are placed on the walls of the coop.
- 3. Keep your chickens protected. Purchase all the necessary materials to ensure your coop’s protection. Make use of chicken wire and other forms of fencing. A sliding glass window is advisable if you want to keep them protected, but you also want to let the sun in. Make sure to use a padlock as well!
- 4. Ventilation and insulation. Face the chicken coop towards the sun. Remember, they need air to breathe but they also need to be warm during the colder seasons.
- 5. Don’t forget feeders! Place them at an elevated spot so that dirt doesn’t get into the food and water.
With these simple tips on building your coop, you’re guaranteed to have healthy chickens!
My Experience With Building a Chicken Coop
