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Building your chicken coop is not very hard – all you need is some time, the right materials and of course the right source of information on how to do it. When chicken keepers make their coops they are aware of the crucial things a chicken coop needs to have, four walls, a window or two, a door and a roof. There are however, some things that some chicken keepers tend to forget or just are not aware of them that are very important for the well being of their chickens.
1. Building A Coop That Is Too Small
Many chicken keepers I know have ended up having more chickens than they`ve planned on having. This is most likely the fault of the chickens being more useful and friendly than a novice chicken keeper can imagine. But getting more chickens than planned can lead to a struggle for space and therefore bullying. This is why we at the typesofchicken.com team recommend that you always build a bigger chicken coop for your chickens than you plan but try leaving more room for the run also.
2. Building A Coop That Does NOT Have Proper Ventilation
During hot summer days your coop will need a proper ventilation system. There are many reasons why you should need this, one of which is the more the air rotates the more it keeps the coop dry which is very important. Installing a good ventilation system, like netted windows which can be opened or closed with a wooden door while you are building your coop is cheaper and safer than buying an electrical ventilator or a cooler later. Also it is a smart idea to place those netted windows above your chicken`s perches.
3. Planning About Your Chickens And Not About Yourself Is NOT Good!
You will make the coop with the perfect door and windows for your chickens to access. But if you forget to prepare a bigger door for yourself to enter (a moveable roof is a good idea but it depends on the size of the coop) you will most likely regret it. Your coop needs to be cleaned and properly taken care of regularly and this is also one of the reasons you need to build an access point for yourself. Making these things easier will save you a lot of time in the long run and one of the smartest ways to do that is including an access point for yourself in the plan.
4. Think Outside The Coop
Chickens attract insects, that is a fact. But what is also a fact is that there are many ways to prevent flies and other insects and one of them is planting a small garden with fly repellent plants such as lavender and wormwood. You can also make the garden around your coop chicken proof for some extra protection. If you plan on the garden before building your chicken coop it will be easier to maintain them both.
How did you build your chicken coop? Make sure that you share your opinions with us through the comment section or via e-mail support@typesofchicken.com
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I made my run by covering an already fenced garden area. If only I had made it just a few inches taller! I saved a few bucks by not raising the mesh up a few inches but now I have to hunch a bit when I carry feed bags in to fill up the feeders and it hurts my back.
I built my coop on a 4×8 ft trailer to get around the township rules about where a coop can be BUILT on my property. Since it is my first coop, I overbuilt it a bit (double walled with insulation). The bottom is two sets of screen/metal bars. The top screen is a 1×1 inch galvanized mesh which about 4 inches above the bottom steel grate to keep critters like skunks, foxes, and raccoons out,
I built mine 4′ x 4′ which is big enough for 4-6 hens if you let them out–mine free range. The roof is hinged and lifts up. My coop looks like an oversized dog house. Two things I would do differently: build a bigger door for easier cleaning, and arrange to manage the droppings under their roost better.
From what I’ve understood was to make 4 square feet per bird for the coop and 10 square feet per bird in the run. This is for full-size birds. My town has a limit of 10 hens. I am [currently] building my coop big enough for 12 and my finished run would fit 14….. I’ve only ordered 8 birds. My girls should be happy.