Chicken coop building 101 is my way of sharing my knowledge on chickens and chicken coop with you guys out there. I hope you enjoy this article and find it helpful. In my opinion chickens are my number one farmyard animal. There are chickens of every shape and flavor to satisfy the needs of every chicken lover around the world. If you are like me then you probably have a couple of chicken breeds in your chicken coop.
Whenever I do things in life I like to start out with a plan that will take me to the end goal. A couple of year back I purchased chicken coop plans and and it really has helped me construct my coops in the last couple of years. I would highly recommend you get the plans yourself if you intend to keep your own chickens and to build your own chicken coop.
In this article on chicken coop building 101 I will share some of the knowledge that I have picked up along the way over the last twenty years of keeping chickens.
Chicken coop building 101: What coop do you require for your needs.
Car should be taken when choosing what chicken coop to build. It should suite your individual needs and the amount of chickens that you have now ( and probably will get in future ) should also be taken into consideration. The following are a couple of considerations that you need to take into account when building your chicken coop.
CHICKEN COOP BUILDING 101: SIZE.
This is probably the most important factor if you ask me. The size of the coop will be determined by the amount of chickens that you have and will probably get in future.
A minimum rule of thumb is 3 square feet per chicken inside the coop and then 10 square feet per chicken in the chicken run. This would be a bare minimum but more will be better.
So if you have 10 chickens let’s say orpingtons then you are going to need a coop that is 30 square feet big and the run should be 100 square feet big for a total space of 130 square feet. chickens in the same space but be careful of overcrowding.
The type of chicken will also determine the size of the coop. A bigger breed like an orpington will require more space to feel comfortable and lay eggs that would a smaller breed like an easter egger. So rather build bigger than build to small, you can always use it as an excuse to get more chickens.
CHICKEN COOP BUILDING 101: PORTABLE VS FIXED COOP.
In my opinion this is a rather easy decision to make when building a chicken coop . If you are someone who keeps a couple of chickens as pets in your backyard then this is an excellent option for you because you can move the coop wherever you are. A mobile chicken coop is also easier to move whenever it needs to be cleaned.
If you live on a homestead and you have a larger number of chickens and more space then a fixed chicken house would be better suited to your needs. A fixed chicken house is normally also structurally stronger able to withstand more wear and tear.
CHICKEN COOP BUILDING 101: PROTECTION.
This is another important factor when building a chicken coop.There is nothing worse than losing your chickens to a predator that got into your coop. Depending on where you live you may need to deal with different predators that may pose a threat to your babies.
Your first line of defense should be a strong fence system around the are where the coop is situated. If you have predators then burying chicken wire or old corrugated iron around the perimeter of the coop will mitigate this problem.
Mice and rats are also another problem that will require attention especially where there are eggs and small chicks. In some parts of the world predatory birds like eagles may also pose a threat to your chickens during the day.
Find out what predators you have in your area and then build a sturdy coop and run to keep them out.
APPEARANCE.
I have seen some stunning coops in my life that must have cost thousands of dollars but you know what I can’t blame the people for building them because we chicken lovers will go to extreme lengths to keep our chickens happy.
How the coop looks will influence the price of the coop. But just because you don’t spend a thousand dollars on a coop does not meat it has to look crappy.
There are tons of building materials out there that are cheap to use but will still look stunning. On example are pallets. Easy to come by and cheap they are a great material for building chicken coops.
Chicken Coop Building 101: Keeping your costs down.
In the articles above I have discussed a couple of key factors you should take into consideration when building a chicken coop. Those should be taken into account first and then the budget you intend on spending in building the coop.
Many people think that you need to spend a ton of money on building a coop but in my experience this is not the case. I will go over some of the basics here but would highly recommend you invest the money in building a chicken coop.
I like to build things from reclaimed materials and there is a ton of it out there. Pvc pipes, chicken wire, corrugated iron, and 50 gallon drums are just some of the material that you can pick up for free of at a cheap price from scrap yards. You could even contact construction companies in your are and ask if they have any reclaimed lumber.
Like I mentioned before pallets is also a great material for chicken coop building 101. A small portable chicken coop can easily be built by lashing a couple of pallets together and then covering it with thick pvc plastic. If you have access to more pallets you can build a grand chicken coop. You don’t even have to take them apart because they can almost be used like lego blocks to build your chicken coop.
A 50 gallon drum makes for a great nest for three hens. Just cut an opening along the length of the drum. Put in dividers on the inside of the drum to make three separate roosting boxes and don’t forget to put thick rubber around the sharp edges of the openings in the drum. An easy DIY way to make a space for your chickens to sleep and lay eggs.
Chicken Coop Building 101: How to build a coop that lasts.
My next couple of tips on chicken coop building 101 will also be around the construction of the coop to ensure the integrity of the structure over time.
It is senseless for you to spend time and money on a stunning structure but the way that it is build does not stand the test of time. It does not matter if it is a stunning wooden structure but the base of the coop is in contact with the ground and water and it starts to rot over time.
PROPER LANDSCAPING.
Choosing on where to put the coop is an important decision. I always recommend putting a chicken coop on a small hill or higher than the surrounding area. If this is impossible then building a coop on stilts is the next best thing. The reason for this is to keep rainwater runoff away from your coop. It sucks having a flooded coop and possibly losing your babies.
If you live in a warm area then shade is an important considerations but you also do not want to build under trees that are prone to dropping branches like Beech, Oak and Sweet Chestnut. Also if it snows in your area watch out for snow buildup in the branches of trees that may drop onto the chicken coop.
I have build my coop away from any large trees on a slightly raised mound and the chicken run itself is build around a fruit orchard with a couple of apple trees in it that provides snacks to my chickens.
SPEND MONEY ON THE BASE STRUCTURE.
This is the area where I would recommend you rather spend a bit more money on that go cheap. It will show over time.
A strong and sturdy foundation is the way to go. If the base comes into contact with rain or snow then pressure treated wood is recommended. If you build the entire structure of the ground on stilts then old telephone poles would be perfect and if you know where to look you should be able to get them cheap.
The roosting boxes should never ever be on the ground. No matter how you build them always lift them of the ground.
MAKE GOOD USE OF WINDOWS.
Windows are another essential element in the construction of a chicken coop. They should be well positioned and there should be enough of them to allow enough light in so that your hens are happy and continue to lay eggs.
Care should also be taken when positioning windows so that they do not weaken the structural integrity of the whole structure. This is where decent chicken coop plans come in that you can get here.
Predators should also be taken into consideration when you use windows. A simple wire screen should be sufficient to keep most predators out if the windows are left open at night.
Windows are also a relatively cheap item that you can get from most scrap yards and do not forget to ask around at construction companies.
POSITION FEEDERS WISELY.
A great place to get good quality second hand feeders and even building materials is craigslist and ebay. Worth the time to go and search on those two sites.
A chicken feeder should not be positioned to high. This will cause the chickens to scatter feed and they will start pecking and scratching at other areas of the coop that will lead to damage over the years. Rather do thing right from the beginning that having to spend money later to fix the problem.
Chicken Coop Building 101: Protecting your chickens.
By now you should have a pretty good idea about the essentials of building a chicken coop. That would include choosing the right size and type of chicken coop for your current and future needs. Remember we always want more chickens. You should also have an idea on what materials you are planning on using and where you can get them.
The next thing that we have to cover in depth is protecting your chickens from pests and predators. It is essential that you find out what type of predators there are in your area. This may include coyotes, foxes and larger dogs that may burrow underneath the fence to get into the coop in this way.
LOCATION.
The location of your chicken coop can help to keep predators away. Like we already discussed the location of the chicken coop will mostly be determined by the lay of the land. If however it is possible to position the chicken coop close to your own home( within eyesight ) this will help you to keep an eye on your chickens. Most people on a homestead also have dogs outside at night that can also alert you to predators in the area. A mobile chicken coop will make moving it closer to your own home much easier.
TYPE OF FENCE.
A fence is your first barrier of protection. The type of fence that you need will depend on the type of predator you may be facing. If facing a predator that will burrow underneath the fence then it is a good idea to dig a channel around the chicken coop and lay the fence below ground level. Two feet deep should be more than enough. This way even if the predator digs into the ground he will not be able to dig through the fence.
If you are facing bigger dogs you will need a higher and sturdier fence. It does you no good if you build the best and most beautiful chicken coop in the world but your fence allows predators to enter the chicken coop without any problems.
Rodents are another problem that you most certainly will face. Here your fence should be your first line of defense again. You will have to use a much smaller mesh wire to keep them out and remember they can easily climb over the fence so if they are a serious pest in your area a simple electrified wire at the bottom and top of the fence should keep them out. I also have a rat trap made from an old 5 gallon drum. Check out the video below.
Another predator that people often forget are predatory birds like hawks and eagles. Trust me it is no fun to lose a chicken no matter how it happens so if you have these birds in your area there is really only one way to protect your chickens and that would be to enclose the entire chicken run in wire mesh. In most places this would not be the case but you may still have to deal with it from time to time. Take note that this will obviously increase the cost of the chicken coop.
Chicken Coop Building 101: Positioning the coop
I have touched on positioning your chicken coop before but would like to go a bit more into the topic here. When choosing the perfect spot for your chickens there are a couple of factors that you need to take into consideration .
PROTECTION.
I have gone more in depth into this subject just above and I would encourage you to read it again. The basic idea is that the closer you can situate the coop to your own house the better for the chickens. This will give then some measure of protection because they are in eyesight and ike I mentioned above in most people’s homesteads there are lights burning outside and guard dogs also.
CLIMATE.
Climate is a major consideration in chicken coop building 101. Here follows a couple of tips that I can give you on the subject.
Sun. You do want a decent amount of sunlight to keep your hens happy and laying eggs but to much sun in a hot environment can be detrimental to your chickens. If you live in such a place then it is a good idea to place the chicken coop under or near trees to provide shade to your chickens during the hottest part of the day. You should always try to build the coop in a direction that faces the sun to maximize natural light for your chicken coop to keep your hens happy and laying eggs. If you can’t do this then you may need to get artificial light that will cost extra money. Getting the right amount of light into your chicken coop will have a dramatic effect on the amount of eggs the hens produce.
Wind. If you get strong winds in your area it may be a good idea to build the chicken coop near an area with trees or a building that can help shield the chicken coop against strong winds. You do want a decent amount of wind blowing through your chicken coop but strong gusts of wind on a regular basis is a big no no.
Snow and rain. Here again you want a place near or under trees or near a building to shield the chicken coop against direct rain or snow. If it snows a lot in your area then take care not to position the chicken coop underneath a tree where snow build up can form and fall on the coop. If you get a lot of rain then you don’t want to position the chicken coop downhill or in an are that gets flooded. There is nothing worse that a flooded coop with a bunch of angry wet hens.
The type of tree close to your coop is important. You do not want to build close to a tree type that has a tendency to drop its branches at the slightest of winds. I am lucky in that my chicken coop is situated in an apple orchard. There is plenty of protection from wind and rain and the hens can roam outside under the trees during the hottest part of the day.
Chicken Coop Building 101: Chicken Coop Accessory Ideas.
Now that you have an idea of the basics of chicken coop construction there are a couple of things you may need to consider to help keep your chickens happy and laying eggs while increasing the comfort of your hens.
Below are a couple that you can consider putting in your chicken coop.
FEEDERS.
A feeder is number one that you need to have in your chicken coop. This will give your hens access to food and keep them happy and laying eggs for you. The right amount of food on a daily basis is essential in the development of the eggs.
Keep the feeder at the correct height for your chickens otherwise they will spill to much food that will lead them to scratching on the floor and damaging it in future.
For my orpington chickens I keep the feeder on a standard size brick. About 4 inches of the ground. This seems to be the correct height for my chickens. If you have smaller chickens than orpingtons you may want to lower the feeder and if they are bigger then you may have to to raise the height a bit.
NESTING BOXES.
Nesting boxes comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. I love the idea of using a 55 gallon drum for nesting boxes. All you have to do is turn them on the side and cut three holes big enough for your hens to get trough. Divide the inside into three compartments and you are good to go. If you use a steel drum then you need to put something over the edges that you just cut to protect the chickens. The other great thing about steel drums are that they can be easily attached to the wall of the chicken coop and they are slippery that will keep the hens from roosting on top of the coop. If you do not use a steel drum then just angle the roof of the chicken coop to keep them from roosting on top of the nesting box.
WATERER.
A waterer is an essential part of your coop. This is something that you do not need to spend a ton of money on because you could use common household items like an ice cream container to get the job done. The amount of watterers will depend on the size of the coop and the amount of chickens that you have.
On the subject of water I do the following in summer when it is hot. I take a small tub and fill it with cold water. Then I take ice cubes and frozen pieces of fruits and dump it into the water. This small trick has my hens go crazy in the heat of the day.
PERCHES.
Like the waterer this is something that you can put together from common household items. A broomstick comes to mind. You should provide enough perches for your chickens so that they do not have to fight for space. They should also be big enough so that there is space for your chickens as they grow and become bigger.
When building your coop space is an extremely important thing to remember. We as chicken lovers will never be happy with just one or two chickens and with more chickens comes more accessories so make sure that you leave enough space for growth.
Chicken Coop Building 101: Maintaining the coop.
All the information above will help you get started with building your own chicken coop. But all this info will be worthless if you do not maintain your chicken coop. In the end the old adage that prevention is better that cure is true here. Rather take time in maintaining your chicken coop that having to repair costly damage to the coop at a later stage.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE DOOR AND WINDOWS.
Doors and windows are probably the areas of a chicken coop that requires the most attention because they move the most. Door more so that windows.
A door will be moving the most because you will open and close it a couple of times a day to let your chickens in and out of the coop and to also feed them. The part that most often gives up first is the latch. I would recommend using a strong latch from the beginning. This will prevent you from having to replace it that often.
Windows should also be checked regularly because there will also be movement in those areas.
CHECK THE FENCE.
The fence should be checked at least once a month more so if you have predators in your area that can damage the fence.
FEEDERS AND WATERERS.
Feeders and waterer’s also take a hammering in the coop because they will be used on a daily basis. If they are becoming beat up rather quickly then it may be an indication that you don’t have enough of them installed in the coop for the amount of chickens you have because they will be constantly fighting to get to the food.
The height of the feeders and waterer’s are also important and that is something that you will have to experiment with on your own to get the correct height for the chickens that you have.
Chicken Coop Building 101: Final thoughts.
I don’t think that this is necessary to say but spend time with your chickens. Most of us who have chickens just love to spend time with them. Spend some time in the coop and in this way you will be able to see if there are any problems that require your attention.
Remember part of the fun in having chickens is the learning so go out there build your coop get some chickens and have fun.
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