We do all know that there is a wealth of information on the internet about building your own backyard chicken coups. You will be able to sift through thousands of websites devoted for DIY chicken coup creation. So, get started by scouring the World Wide Web for the basic information on how to create your own chicken coup.

Most of my chickens are free ranging, so I needed to give them plenty of space to scratch outside in the fresh air for insects and bugs during the day. This means that they need an enclosed run attached to their living quarters. The chickens need somewhere to roost inside the enclosed part of the coop, which means pegs or poles raised off the ground. So, I wanted a design that incorporated a hatch for me or my kids to lift and take out the eggs easily.

So finally when we’d agree on the backyard chicken coup plans we would follow, I had to go out to the local hardware store and purchase the materials. The materials you need will depend largely on the design you will finally choose, but most materials will be the same as the one I picked – wood, chicken wire, hinges, nails and screws. This time, I was delighted with the bill from the hardware store. I purchased everything I needed for under $100.

After I have assembled all the necessary tools and materials, I read through my chicken coup plans once more, to en sure that I knew what I was doing. I started with the nesting boxes first, and gradually built up the coup piece by piece, so that by the end of the day I was putting the finishing touches to a respectable looking home made chicken coup.

After I have completed the entire project I can feel a sense of pride and fulfilment. I did not spent a fortune creating one, and I have well secured my chickens on a chicken coup designed to cater to my chicken breed’s specific needs and protection.

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If you want to get started in, or have already started raising chickens, it’s certainly an advantage to download some plans for chicken house construction. You can build a chicken house extremely cheap, and it doesn’t take particularly good handyman skills. This article helps you get the ball rolling.

Prerequisite List

It pays off to take a systematic approach to building a chicken house. Small mistakes at the beginning can mean a lot of time wasted later on. Focus on the following items before you begin:

1) Figure out how many birds you’re going to have, then add 5! Your coop should give roughly 4 square feet per chicken. Without this kind of space you can expect significantly reduced egg yields, as the birds will be too stressed out to lay.

2) Make sure that your coop is built in a position that will take advantage of any morning sunlight you might have. Chickens are very sensitive to subtle changes in light, and lay their eggs according to the time of day.

3) The flooring of the coop will be different depending on the climate you live in. There are typically 3 types of floor coverings: sawdust, straw, and sand. Sawdust is a good all-rounder, but requires a lot of cleaning. Straw drains pretty well, but can get dirty fast. Sand is similar to sawdust, but doesn’t require as much cleaning.

4) Make a list of all predators in your area. Foxes, snakes, wolfs, etc.. Many of these animals can burrow under the coop fence and eat your chickens. Make sure to build security measures into your coop, such as burying a length of mesh around the perimeter to prevent dig ins.

5) Build the coop close to a water and electricity source. You will probably need a warming light in winter, which will need power. Alternatively you could connect it to a mini solar panel which you can either buy or also build yourself.

For the best plans for chicken house construction, check out this Build A Chicken House website now.

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• Designed for up to 4 chickens
• Versatile! Use as starter coop, hospital, or broody house
• Designed for happy owners…
• …And happy chickens
• Predator protection

Product Description
A My Pet Chicken exclusive! Since we founded the company in 2005, we’ve been looking for a well-designed, full service chicken coop, complete with attached run, for under $450. We’re thrilled to finally bring it to you in “The Saltbox” and its sister model, “The Foursquare”. Perfect for up to 4 chickens, this coop offers everything you need to make your small flock of chickens at home…. More >>

The Saltbox Coop with Run

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Backyard Chicken keeping is becoming rather popular these days; that seems obvious since keeping chicken in your backyard has so many benefits to offer such as eggs, meat, keeping grass clean of weed to name a few. Plus Chickens are just so beautiful! So many people proudly display their pets on poultry shows. Keeping chicken is also an engaging and rewarding hobby.

Deciding on what kind of a coop to make for your self

Essentially there are 3 kinds of chicken or hen houses that you can make for yourself. A Chicken ark which is typically meant for 5-6 chicken; a medium sized chicken coop for about 8 or 10 chicken; and finally a large sized or premium chicken coop for anywhere between 10 to 15 chicken.

Another consideration that you must make take into account is how much space that you have to offer. If your back yard is not big enough to accommodate a big – sized coop, then you might want to go in for a smaller one.

Finally you will want to weigh your pockets before you can decide your investments. A good premium sized coop will cost at least $200. However if you decide to build a smaller one then the investment will be minimal.

Materials needed:

This will depend on the kind of construction you will want to make.  Going by your requirements you can go in for a Chicken Ark (the smallest), a medium sized coop, or a large sized one with a chicken run.  Generally speaking all you should require, some lumber, plywood, chicken wire, nails, hammer, straw, poultry feeders, and yes a measuring tape.

Making a coop can be a fun thing to do. Apart from making a home for your birds, you get to engage yourself in something which is constructive and definitely worthwhile. Building a coop is not only fun it is also lighter on your pockets. Readymade coops can be really expensive often costing more than 500 dollars per piece. Even when you do buy a readymade coop you still have to assemble the whole thing anyways.

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Stay Away From My chicken house

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Have you invested in a poultry of respectable size but now are struggling with what size of a hen house you should invest in? Or, (heavens forbid!) have already purchased a Chicken Coop only to repent the fact that it is just way too big for your place? If any of this seems to fit you then read on and discover.

Consideration 1: Your pocket:

Of course you have to weigh in your wallet before you can decide what kind of a home your birds can live in.

a.       A Chicken Ark: is the smallest and therefore the cheapest (not necessarily though). Materials needed include only some lumber and chicken wire. A readymade chicken coop can cost you anywhere from $100 to $400 depending on the maker, the quality and finish and finally the kind of materials used.

b.      A Medium sized Chicken Coop: A medium sized coop will typically set you back by around $250 to $300.

c.       The Big, premium sized coop: these are a bit bigger than the medium sized. These can easily exceed $500 in cost if you add the Chicken run and are buying it from outside.

All of these prices are variables and can differ significantly from place to place, and seller to seller.

Consideration 2: Your poultry:

The number of birds you have should be the main determinant of what kind of Coop you should purchase. The standard requirement for chicken space is 4 square feet per chicken MINIMUM! (Note: This is as important as the first consideration).

a.       Chicken Ark: are best suited if you have around 2 – 4 birds to take care of.

b.      Medium sized coop: This is typically suited for 6 – 8 birds.

c.       Large sized coop: These are best suited if you have poultry of over 10 birds.

Consideration 3: Your backyard space:

Again depending on the amount of space and where you are planning to build a chicken coop, you should decide upon your investment. Of course if you have less space to offer you should go in for a small chicken ark. Larger spaces can allow for the installation of a medium sized or even a large premium sized coop along with a chicken run for the birds.

Another important thing is whether you are living in a city or a rural area. This seemingly harmless detail can easily turn into a nightmare if your neighbors find it an irritant or if it is just not aesthetically done up so. In a country environment this may not be so much of a hassle. Do keep in mind this detail before you go in for your coop.

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Product Description
As the popularity of urban homesteading and sustainable living increases, it’s no wonder you’re in need of trusted, practical guidance on how to properly house the chickens you’re planning (or have already begun) to keep. Building chicken coops For Dummies gives you the information you need to build the most cost-efficient, safe, and easy-on-the-eye enclosures for your backyard flock. This practical guide gives you easy-to-follow and customizable plans … More >>

building chicken coops For Dummies

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