How To Build A Chicken Coop

By Tommie Dixon

Key Factors in the development of a Chicken Coop

pondering keeping some chickens in your backyard? Well then you're going to need a chicken coop. Constructing a chicken coop doesn't necessarily need to be hard but will require a bit of planning ahead. Also irrespective of how elaborate or simple you decide to make you chicken coop there are always one or two basic tenets to follow.

One thing to keep in mind when building a chicken coop is that the extra space the birds have the better. Chickens with more space preform better than those kept in little cages plenty of times. If you don't plenty of land to build a chicken coop that large its fine. A general rule is to give two to 3 sq. feet of room per chicken.

Another major consideration gives your chickens enough ventilation. If your coop is too stuffy and isn't properly ventilated the fumes could build up to noxious levels. Placing the vents on the south and east sides of the coop will provide good air flow as well as protect from cold drafts. If you live in a warmer climate area you may want to place the vents on the north and south sides where the roof meets the walls. This will keep out wild birds who may carry illnesses. Remember a well ventilated chicken is an ecstatic chicken.

The very next thing to consider is insulation. This is significant to keep the chickens from over heating in the summer and freezing in the winter. Putting 1.5 inches of foam between the walls and ceiling should do the job. In the summer you can put tin foil on top of the coop to reflect the daylight and also paint the walls white as it soaks up less heat. In the winter you can stack hay bales around the north wall of the coop.

Another factor to consider when planning the design of your chicken coop is how to keep out vermin. Dogs and foxes may try and dig under the coop to get in and eat the chickens. Snakes, mice and rats can also be a problem if they get into the coop. This is countered by trying a concrete floor. This may be costly but mud and wood flooring are less secure against attackers. If you don't have the money for concrete, wood is a wiser choice than mud. - 30228

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