When you build a chicken coop, there are four main elements that you want to keep in mind. We will cover them in this article, and when youre finished you will be ready to move onto the next step, getting the plans and breaking out the power tools.The first step we will cover is size. This has a direct effect on the number of birds you can hold and is often one of the first mistakes beginners make. After that you will be able to pick out the style that best suits your needs and the amount of space you have.
Once you have this information, you will want to look at building both a healthy and safe coop. More on that in a moment.
Lastly you will want to make sure that you build a nice looking hen house. But you may be surprised when you find out how important this step really is.
Some of you may already be itching to break out the power tools, so I will get started and show you how to build a chicken coop.
Step #1: Picking the Right SizeYou may be thinking that this is an understood part of building a chicken coop. You know where you want to put the chicken coop and you know how many chickens you want, isnt that enough? The answer is no. Just because you have a spot picked out, that doesnt mean it is the most ideal. You may also run into trouble if your desired hen house doesnt match the number of chickens you plan to get.
Each chicken requires at least 3 square feet of room inside of the chicken coop. As you can see, this will directly influence how many chickens you can hold, and where you can build your coop.
As you can imagine, if the chicken coop becomes too crowded, your hens will spend the majority of their time fighting for room rather than laying eggs. Since this is the reason, most people build chicken coops, it will waste both the money and time youve invested. So now is the perfect time to decide how many chickens you plan to raise.
In the event that there is too much room in the coop later you always have the options to add another hen or two.
Each chicken requires at least 3 square feet of room inside of the chicken coop. As you can see, this will directly influence how many chickens you can hold, and where you can build your coop.
As you can imagine, if the chicken coop becomes too crowded, your hens will spend the majority of their time fighting for room rather than laying eggs. Since this is the reason, most people build chicken coops, it will waste both the money and time youve invested. So now is the perfect time to decide how many chickens you plan to raise.
In the event that there is too much room in the coop later you always have the options to add another hen or two.
Step #2: Choosing the Right Type of Chicken CoopAs you already might know, there are two types of chicken coops. The first is portable, and is often referred to as a chicken tractor. The other is fixed and is usually built to hold more chickens. Lets look at the two types and you can get a better idea of what best suits your needs.
First well look at the portable ones. There are several benefits to building a portable chicken coop, besides being portable they are easier to maintain. Since you can move the coop around, maintenance is much easier. Instead of bringing the tools to the coop, you can bring the coop to your tools. Cleaning the coop is also easier with portable hen houses.
But there is a downside, and we need to cover that as well. If you build a portable chicken coop, dont expect it to last for a long time. Portable chicken coops are not nearly as stable as their fixed counterpart.
Fixed or static hen houses are much more stable than the portable ones, and a well built coop can last for many years. Of course you need to plan the location for your coop very carefully. Once it is finished, moving it will be a very time consuming process.
Here are some things to consider when you build a static roost. First, chickens need a lot of sunlight. Make sure to build the chicken coop so that it gets as much sun as it can each day. But you will also want provide your coop with protection from the other elements. Strong rain or wind can be a problem, thats why it is a good idea to build your coop under a group of trees or next to a larger building.
Another thing to keep in mind when you build a fixed hen house is that it shouldnt be built on low ground. Make sure to build it on the a higher part of your yard. If you get strong storms, your chicken coop could become flooded. If this happens, you learn what the expression "madder than a wet hen" means.
First well look at the portable ones. There are several benefits to building a portable chicken coop, besides being portable they are easier to maintain. Since you can move the coop around, maintenance is much easier. Instead of bringing the tools to the coop, you can bring the coop to your tools. Cleaning the coop is also easier with portable hen houses.
But there is a downside, and we need to cover that as well. If you build a portable chicken coop, dont expect it to last for a long time. Portable chicken coops are not nearly as stable as their fixed counterpart.
Fixed or static hen houses are much more stable than the portable ones, and a well built coop can last for many years. Of course you need to plan the location for your coop very carefully. Once it is finished, moving it will be a very time consuming process.
Here are some things to consider when you build a static roost. First, chickens need a lot of sunlight. Make sure to build the chicken coop so that it gets as much sun as it can each day. But you will also want provide your coop with protection from the other elements. Strong rain or wind can be a problem, thats why it is a good idea to build your coop under a group of trees or next to a larger building.
Another thing to keep in mind when you build a fixed hen house is that it shouldnt be built on low ground. Make sure to build it on the a higher part of your yard. If you get strong storms, your chicken coop could become flooded. If this happens, you learn what the expression "madder than a wet hen" means.
Step #3: Keeping Your Coop SafeOne of the most important aspects of learning how to build a chicken coop is keeping your birds safe.
There are many different types of predators that will prey upon your hens if you arent careful. This can be anything from the neighborhood cats and dogs to less likely threats such as rats. If you live in the country, you may also be at risk of attracting larger predators.
These can include foxes, coyotes and badgers. You will want to assure that you use strong enough fencing to keep the more determined wild animals out. Make sure to bury your fence deep enough in the ground to keep out animals that try to dig their way into the coop.
Dont forget the threat from above. Hawks will also prey upon chickens, so it might be necessary to cover your chickens run with a roof or fencing.
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There are many different types of predators that will prey upon your hens if you arent careful. This can be anything from the neighborhood cats and dogs to less likely threats such as rats. If you live in the country, you may also be at risk of attracting larger predators.
These can include foxes, coyotes and badgers. You will want to assure that you use strong enough fencing to keep the more determined wild animals out. Make sure to bury your fence deep enough in the ground to keep out animals that try to dig their way into the coop.
Dont forget the threat from above. Hawks will also prey upon chickens, so it might be necessary to cover your chickens run with a roof or fencing.
Step #4: Keeping Up AppearancesLearning how to build a chicken coop can be a really fun experience which also makes a great family project.
A well built chicken coop should be both healthy and comfortable for your chickens but also look nice. Nobody likes an eyesore, and if you dont take the time to finish out your coop, you might get complaints rather than compliments from your neighbors.
This would be a shame, since a chicken coop can add a unique element to your yards landscaping. One that will have your neighbors talking for all of the right reason, and your family supplied with fresh eggs every morning for breakfast.
If you build your chicken coop in the city, you will want to check your city ordinances for any that regulate if and how you can build your coop.
Read More Chicken Coop Plans Here
A well built chicken coop should be both healthy and comfortable for your chickens but also look nice. Nobody likes an eyesore, and if you dont take the time to finish out your coop, you might get complaints rather than compliments from your neighbors.
This would be a shame, since a chicken coop can add a unique element to your yards landscaping. One that will have your neighbors talking for all of the right reason, and your family supplied with fresh eggs every morning for breakfast.
If you build your chicken coop in the city, you will want to check your city ordinances for any that regulate if and how you can build your coop.
Read More Chicken Coop Plans Here
How to Build a Chicken Coop Important Factors to Consider Before You Build a Chicken Coop
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When you first start your research on how to build a chicken coop, you may quickly find out that it can be one of the most confusing tasks facing the beginning chicken farmer. There are thousands of different variations, along with a myriad of factors that need to be taken into account before you decide on a final design. And thats just for the chicken coop plans not any of the other factors such as material choices, construction methods, or placement of the coop to just to name a few. Below youll find three of the most important concepts that can help you before you get started.Chicken Coops Provide Shelter and ProtectionThe main purpose of a chicken coop is to provide protection to the chickens.Chickens need to be kept warm, dry, and sheltered from the elements, much like their human counterparts! Rain, snow, and wind can all be detrimental to the welfare of the chickens. This can lead to decreased egg or meat production and unhealthy chickens. Not something youll want to deal with when youre first starting out. Keep in mind that the chicken doesnt care what the coop looks like.It only wants it warm, dry, and comfortable.You on the other hand may want to make it look as good as it can, and theres nothing wrong with that.Some people have designed their chicken coops to look like a childs playhouse in order to fit in with the surroundings of their property, while others have built bare bones coops out of scrap wood and pallets.As long as the chickens needs are met, the sky is the limit as to what you build. But as a first timer, youll probably be better off using commercially available plans that have been tested over time.
Protection from PredatorsWhile this certainly falls under the shelter and protection part above, its so important that it needs to be emphasized. Chickens are basically defenseless animals that need to be completely protected from predators.Chickens are especially vulnerable to attacks from raccoons, coyotes, foxes, hawks, and even some dogs. Your chicken coop needs to be an impenetrable fortress for the chickens, providing them complete safety from any of these predators. There isnt much worse than finding that your flock has been ravaged by a predator.Keep them safe!
Clean Chickens are Happy ChickensNot only is it true for humans, its true for chickens too.You need to design your coop so that it provides easy access for you to perform frequent cleaning. In order to provide a place where chickens are healthy and happy, they need to have clean surroundings. This means that youll need access in order to change their bedding and clean up after them on a regular basis. This is often the most important design detail that youll need to consider since its effective implementation benefits you directly.If its hard to clean out the chicken coop, the less likely you are to do it, and in turn the less healthy and happy the chickens will be.Keep them clean and their production will increase.
My Privacy Policy – Some important matter that you need to be aware about
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Please be advised that this blog uses a third-party advertising companies that are serving ads which are often shown every time you are going to visit any of the pages. Most of these advertising companies do use cookies that could either collect some information regarding about your visit. The purpose of these cookies is to let them know about your interest about goods or services so that in your future visits they will provide better advertisements that might catch your attention.
About your Privacy
It’s my full responsibility to protect your privacy while you are browsing my blog . Below are the following actions on how I gather information on this blog:
RSS Feed from the Feed Burner
The Feed burner is one of the most trusted subscription provider that I’ve ever known so I use them for asking contact information such as name and email address. Subscriber has the option to opt-out anytime they want. You don’t have to worry about your personal information being gathered because they will never be sold, spammed or given to any third party group.
StatCounter for recording traffic statistics
Most websites and blogs these days are now using StatCounters to tract their visitor’s activities. It can track and record information such as your IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, type of browser, ISP, referring, exit and visited pages, platform, date/time stamp, time spend on the page, and demographic information.
Cookies stored on your temporary folders
Cookies are small temporary files that are often stored on your default folders. You have the option to clear them through the use of software or simply leave them for some purposes. Take note that some of my advertisers could use cookies but sad to say that I do not have the access to these kinds of files knowing about what information do they contain.
The links pointing outside my domain
Notice that there are some links on this blog that will direct you to another domain or site. Please be advised that once you are already on their current page the privacy policy that I mentioned is no longer valid where you have to read their own set of policy.
Contact Information
Do you have any suggestion? If yes then don’t be shy to contact me on my email address alexmercer@ymail.com. I will be happy to hear about your concerns and issues and try to answer them at the best possible time that I can.
I have last updated this Privacy Policy on July 8, 2010.
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About your Privacy
It’s my full responsibility to protect your privacy while you are browsing my blog . Below are the following actions on how I gather information on this blog:
RSS Feed from the Feed Burner
The Feed burner is one of the most trusted subscription provider that I’ve ever known so I use them for asking contact information such as name and email address. Subscriber has the option to opt-out anytime they want. You don’t have to worry about your personal information being gathered because they will never be sold, spammed or given to any third party group.
StatCounter for recording traffic statistics
Most websites and blogs these days are now using StatCounters to tract their visitor’s activities. It can track and record information such as your IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, type of browser, ISP, referring, exit and visited pages, platform, date/time stamp, time spend on the page, and demographic information.
Cookies stored on your temporary folders
Cookies are small temporary files that are often stored on your default folders. You have the option to clear them through the use of software or simply leave them for some purposes. Take note that some of my advertisers could use cookies but sad to say that I do not have the access to these kinds of files knowing about what information do they contain.
The links pointing outside my domain
Notice that there are some links on this blog that will direct you to another domain or site. Please be advised that once you are already on their current page the privacy policy that I mentioned is no longer valid where you have to read their own set of policy.
Contact Information
Do you have any suggestion? If yes then don’t be shy to contact me on my email address alexmercer@ymail.com. I will be happy to hear about your concerns and issues and try to answer them at the best possible time that I can.
I have last updated this Privacy Policy on July 8, 2010.
Build a Chicken Coop Very Important Tips on Building a Chicken Coop
| 0 comments |Labels: a, build, building, chicken, coop, important, on, tips, very, Woodworking
Chickens arent choosy animals, but they require few things in their life to stay happy, healthy and lay eggs regularly.
LightChicken are very dependent on light when it comes to their life cycle.
That is why you have to build windows in your chicken coop that will supply a lot of light.
Especially in the mornings.
Second use for windows is creating air circulation inside your chicken coop. Failing to supply your chickens with an appropriate source of light will decrease their performance and cause them to lay eggs less frequently or during weird hours.
This, however, should be done under supervision of someone who knows how to build a chicken coop.
The other thing you have to remember is that with electrical light, your bills can get really high, so my recommendation is to always search for natural solutions.
You should estimate how many chickens you are going to keep and based on that choose an appropriate plan.
If you are unable to find a perfect fit for your flock, always choose bigger coop. The next dramatic result of keeping your chickens in a small space is, aggression.
They also tend to break their own eggs so, pay attention to the size of your chicken house.
It can be the single reason that will kill your entire undertaking.
There are many ways you can cut the cost of construction.
This, however, requires information on what kind of materials are chicken safe and, which arent.
Yes, it is possible.
You will be surprised how much stuff you will receive.
It is better to wait until you save an appropriate amount of money, then rush into construction.
How much time can you spareYour time limitations are very important when you are discovering how to build a chicken house.
Taking care of your chicken house is very important.
By creating a simpler construction that is easier to access and keep clean, you invest in happiness and health of your chickens.
They will make cleaning and collecting eggs way easier.
This simple trick will allow you to hose down your chicken coops floor, helping you to save a lot of energy.
It should stand on an even, hard ground in order to be durable and useful to your chickens.
What kind of a climate you are living in? Does it rain a lot? What kind of a soil is in your backyard? Is it cold for most of the year?
If you are living in a place, where the soil is very soft and it rains a lot, you should raise your chicken coop above the ground, or else it will drown with time.
If it is cold in your area for most of the time you have to use thicker materials and insulation that will help your chicken to remain warm during harsher weather conditions.
For more specific advice on heathers ask a person who has experience in the area of how to build a chicken coop.
If yes, you may think about building a mobile chicken house.
The only disadvantage of such a solution is the size limitation.
This, on the other hand, will force you to build a chicken coop which size allows you to carry it.
If it is very soft you wont be able to pull your chicken coop through it, without getting stuck.
But this issue is of utter importance and if neglected can lead to loss of your entire flock.
You can do it either by asking people near you or searching this information on the Internet.
If they will try to go from the top, you should cover the top of your chicken run with a fence.
If you think they will try to dig their way to your chicken house, make sure you dig the fence at least a foot into the ground.
Try to find ones that have a tight fit, multiple latches and overall there is no way to get in, for unwanted animals.
That is why you shouldnt rush in to the building.
It is plain stupid and you will have to spend more time doing necessary modifications then, you would spend on the entire construction, only if you would invest more time into crucial preparations.
LightChicken are very dependent on light when it comes to their life cycle.
That is why you have to build windows in your chicken coop that will supply a lot of light.
Especially in the mornings.
Second use for windows is creating air circulation inside your chicken coop. Failing to supply your chickens with an appropriate source of light will decrease their performance and cause them to lay eggs less frequently or during weird hours.
This, however, should be done under supervision of someone who knows how to build a chicken coop.
The other thing you have to remember is that with electrical light, your bills can get really high, so my recommendation is to always search for natural solutions.
You should estimate how many chickens you are going to keep and based on that choose an appropriate plan.
If you are unable to find a perfect fit for your flock, always choose bigger coop. The next dramatic result of keeping your chickens in a small space is, aggression.
They also tend to break their own eggs so, pay attention to the size of your chicken house.
It can be the single reason that will kill your entire undertaking.
There are many ways you can cut the cost of construction.
This, however, requires information on what kind of materials are chicken safe and, which arent.
Yes, it is possible.
You will be surprised how much stuff you will receive.
It is better to wait until you save an appropriate amount of money, then rush into construction.
How much time can you spareYour time limitations are very important when you are discovering how to build a chicken house.
Taking care of your chicken house is very important.
By creating a simpler construction that is easier to access and keep clean, you invest in happiness and health of your chickens.
They will make cleaning and collecting eggs way easier.
This simple trick will allow you to hose down your chicken coops floor, helping you to save a lot of energy.
It should stand on an even, hard ground in order to be durable and useful to your chickens.
What kind of a climate you are living in? Does it rain a lot? What kind of a soil is in your backyard? Is it cold for most of the year?
If you are living in a place, where the soil is very soft and it rains a lot, you should raise your chicken coop above the ground, or else it will drown with time.
If it is cold in your area for most of the time you have to use thicker materials and insulation that will help your chicken to remain warm during harsher weather conditions.
For more specific advice on heathers ask a person who has experience in the area of how to build a chicken coop.
If yes, you may think about building a mobile chicken house.
The only disadvantage of such a solution is the size limitation.
This, on the other hand, will force you to build a chicken coop which size allows you to carry it.
If it is very soft you wont be able to pull your chicken coop through it, without getting stuck.
But this issue is of utter importance and if neglected can lead to loss of your entire flock.
You can do it either by asking people near you or searching this information on the Internet.
If they will try to go from the top, you should cover the top of your chicken run with a fence.
If you think they will try to dig their way to your chicken house, make sure you dig the fence at least a foot into the ground.
Try to find ones that have a tight fit, multiple latches and overall there is no way to get in, for unwanted animals.
That is why you shouldnt rush in to the building.
It is plain stupid and you will have to spend more time doing necessary modifications then, you would spend on the entire construction, only if you would invest more time into crucial preparations.
Read More : Chicken Coop Guide
Your Woodworking Workspace Very Important
| 0 comments |Labels: important, very, woodworking, workspace, your
The first thing you need to consider is where you’ll be crafting your projects. Most people take up woodworking in their garage or basement. This is fine; just remember that you’ll need some space to store materials and the finished product. You’ll want a space that is easy to move around in and that you can keep organized.If you’re using power tools, you’ll need easily accessible power outlets. Remember that power tools can be quite noisy, so take into consideration the comfort of your family and your neighbors.
You’ll need a workbench which doesn’t necessarily have to be elaborate. It’s a space for you to work on and keep your plans out in the open.
You can buy commercially made workbenches at most home supply stores. When choosing a workbench, look for one with a wood top, or another smooth, non-marking top, so that the surface doesn’t scuff the wood you use for your projects. Storage underneath the bench is nice if your budget allows a model with built-in drawers and cabinets.
Choose a workbench that fits comfortably in your shop space and that matches the types of projects you think you’ll be working on. A small workbench will do for crafting toys, but you’ll need a larger space if you’re making armoires.But you’re getting started with woodworking as a hobby. Why not make your own workbench? This will give you valuable experience and will become one of the most useful items in your shop! We’ve included a simple workbench plan in this book. Try diving right in with and
start your workshop out with a piece you made yourself!
start your workshop out with a piece you made yourself!
It’s a good idea to have a bin where you can place operating manuals from your tools. This way, you won’t lose them and they’ll be easily accessible.
We also recommend a good tool box to store your tools and a box such as a tackle box to sore nails, screws, etc. in. As with most any projects, the better organized you are, the more efficient you’ll be. You’ll also save yourself a lot of stress by being able to locate what you need easily.Some people like to have a peg board over their workbench to hang their tools on. This is a good idea as is to have a bulletin board so you can hang the plans for your current project.
Last, you’ll need good lighting. You can get shop lights inexpensively at discount stores like Wal-Mart or Home Depot.
Now that you have a place to work, what do you need to get started? The obvious answer would be wood, which we’ll talk about a little later. What’s the second obvious answer? Tools!
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