Raising Chickens On The Cheap

When a lot of people think about raising chickens in the backyard,
they think they have to spend great sums of money to get started.
They check out catalogs with fancy-smancy chicken coops,
chicken tractors, feeders and all the doo-dads one can possibly
buy.

Yes, these all look very enticing. But when they are shipped to
your door, you'll have a pile of flat lumber and some nails.
Nothing like the pretty pictures you were looking over.

There's no need to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars to
keep your chickens happy. All they want is sound shelter and food.

When you decide to build your own chicken coop, you get to
decide the kind of lumber you want. You won't need to spend
money to get the latest water dish when any dish will do. All
the hens care about is having a supply of clean, fresh water.

You can make your own nesting boxes. No need to order
from the retail store. In fact, once your chickens have the
house to keep them safe from predators and protection from
the elements, they are quite happy.

And you'll be happy to DIY and save a ton of money!

Happy Easter To All Those Who Raise Chickens For Eggs!

It's only fitting on this day when the egg is front and center, to give
thanks to the fine creatures who supply us with healthy, organic eggs.
Where would we be without them? And to the fine folks who
raise chickens in their backyards or on their farms.

So when you are coloring and decorating your eggs, take a moment
to think about the heavenly hen. This is also the time of year when
thoughts turn to raising chickens if you've never done so before.

Maybe you're mulling the idea over and wondering what it would
take to begin this incredible adventure. Of building a chicken coop
of your very own. Of being able to have eggs which didn't come from
inhumane practices. Of being able to provide your family with the health
benefits of the egg.

This blog has many posts to help you decide. Take a look around
and see if this is something you can see yourself doing in the future...

And Happy Easter to you and your loved ones!

Building a Chicken Coop Review

Word of mouth is truly the best guideline when deciding what to buy. Here's a word from a happy and satisfied chicken farmer...

"My chickens are happy with their new home..." "Have you been planning to make a cozy, comfortable and tidy coop for your chickens? Well, follow the guidelines in this wonderful resource! 

My chickens are happy with their new home! Bill's book helped me make a well-planned, easy-to-clean-and-maintain coop for my chickens. I got practical tips on locating, positioning, protecting and maintaining the climate in the coop.

Like me, it will help you too to choose the appropriate size, building design and materials for construction. This book not only helps you save while you build, but also enjoy the freedom to customize the coop to your individual specifications and needs.

With valuable inputs on light and ventilation, I was able to ensure that the coop position was such that it allowed enough light in, but did not make the coop drafty. I particularly enjoyed the creative and innovative ideas thrown in about building low cost nesting boxes with material lying around the house.

It set me exploring my own creativity and resourcefulness! An informative and easy to follow read, this book will guide you in building your own coop at a fraction of the cost of purchasing one! " Rachana Misra - Go Green Farms™ Owner

Poisonous Plants To Chickens

Our good friends over at http://www.keeping-chickens.com/
have given us permission to include an article they have on
their informative site about the plants that will do harm to
our flock. Hope you enjoy!

Below is a list of plants poisonous to chickens. If you are free-ranging your flock, you probably won't have to worry. This is because hens aren't stupid. If they happen to come across any of these plants, they are likely to keep on going.

However, if you keep your chickens in a backyard coop, they may think it's okay to eat anything you give them. After all, they trust you! With that in mind...

Poisonous Plants To Poultry

Aconite
Bryony
Horseradish
Hemlock
Henbane
Laburnum
Privet
Rhubarb
Yew
Members of the nightshade family, including leaves of the tomato plant and the potato plant.

Since we're not born knowing what these plants may be, I'm going to give you the meanings as well.

Aconite is poisonous plant of the buttercup family, which bears hooded pink or purple flowers. It is native to temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. An extract of such a plant is used as a poison or in medicinal preparations. (there's a double-edged sword)

Bryony is a climbing plant that has greenish-white flowers, red berries, and springlike tendrils. Native to Eurasia, it is the only British member of the gourd family. A climbing plant with broad glossy leaves, poisonous red berries, and black tubers. Native to Europe, it is the only British member of the yam family.

Horseradish is a European plant of the cabbage family, with long docklike leaves, grown for its pungent root. This root, which is scraped or grated as a condiment and often made into a sauce.

Hemlock is a highly poisonous European plant of the parsley family, with a purple-spotted stem, fernlike leaves, small white flowers, and an unpleasant smell. A sedative or poisonous potion is obtained from this plant. Such a potion was said to have been used to poison Socrates.

Henbane is a coarse and poisonous Eurasian plant of the nightshade family, with sticky hairy leaves and an unpleasant smell. A psychoactive drink is prepared from this plant.

Laburnum is a small European tree that has hanging clusters of yellow flowers succeeded by slender pods containing poisonous seeds. The hard timber is sometimes used as an ebony substitute. Native to Central and Southern Europe, laburnums have been widely planted as ornamentals.

Privet is a shrub of the olive family, with small white, heavily scented flowers and poisonous black berries.

Rhubarb is the thick leaf stalks of a cultivated plant of the dock family, which are reddish or green and eaten as a fruit after cooking. Hey, most people love rhubarb. But don't feed it to your chickens!

Yew is a coniferous tree that has red berrylike fruits, and most parts of which are highly poisonous. Yews are linked with folklore and superstition and can live to a great age; the timber is used in cabinetmaking and (formerly) to make longbows.

Leaves of potato and tomato plants...I'll bet you know those by sight!

Keeping Chickens: How To Make Sure They Live Stress-Free

One of the most important things in keeping chickens is to look after them properly and help them avoid stress. Why is that?

Stress is a killer. For us and for our feathered friends. Chicken health depends on living as stress-free as possible. Chickens are very sensitive to everything around them. Excess stress can cause serious illness because it lowers the pH in their system. This makes them more prone to disease. Stress hormones also pass to the eggs.

Causes of stress in chickens are much the same as what causes stress in ourselves. Noise is a biggie. Climate change affects them. They don't like to be separated from their own kind. They don't like to be overcrowded. Other animals will upset them. Loud children will have them running for cover.

Steps to take to reduce stress in chicks:

** Make sure their coop is secure and has adequate lighting.

** Make sure they have enough space. No overcrowding!

** Cleanliness of the chicken coop is so important.

** Temperature control. Cool in summer. Warm in winter.

** Have the hens familiar with people. Interact with them everyday. Speak in soothing tones.

** Keep other pets away from the chickens if they are aggressive toward them.

** Make sure the birds have enough food and fresh water available at all times.

** Handle them gently. Never hold them upside down as it frightens them.

** In order to produce fresh eggs, make sure you gather the eggs on a daily basis.

** Provide enough grass for foraging.

** Be sure to provide a roost.

** The most important as far as I'm concerned...Teach children to respect these birds. Nothing makes me angrier than to see kids being cruel and indifferent to any creature. These lessons will go a long way in their lives.

**  Equally crucial is TLC. Give your flock love and attention.

Doing these things will help in keeping chickens stress-free, healthy and happy!

Keeping Chickens: Build A Chicken Coop For A Home Sweet Home For Your Chicks

No matter what someone tells you about the quality of something you're planning to purchase, it goes a long way if you can hear from a satisfied customer. Word of mouth is a powerful thing. Whenever I buy a product, especially if it's online, I perform my due diligence.

When it comes to buying chicken coop plans, you should do the same. Keeping chickens is more than a hobby for you and your family. It's a labor of love. And you love and respect your chickens. You only want the best for them. So if you are looking to buy chicken coop plans, here's a testimonial from a happy customer you'll be interested in reading....

"My chickens are happy with their new home..."

"Have you been planning to make a cozy, comfortable and tidy coop for your chickens? Well, follow the guidelines in this wonderful resource! My chickens are happy with their new home! Bill's book helped me make a well-planned, easy-to-clean-and-maintain coop for my chickens. I got practical tips on locating, positioning, protecting and maintaining the climate in the coop.

Like me, it will help you too to choose the appropriate size, building design and materials for construction. This book not only helps you save while you build, but also enjoy the freedom to customize the coop to your individual specifications and needs.

With valuable inputs on light and ventilation, I was able to ensure that the coop position was such that it allowed enough light in, but did not make the coop drafty.

I particularly enjoyed the creative and innovative ideas thrown in about building low cost nesting boxes with material lying around the house. It set me exploring my own creativity and resourcefulness! An informative and easy to follow read, this book will guide you in building your own coop at a fraction of the cost of purchasing one! "

Rachana Misra - Go Green Farms™ Owner

If you want to be a satisfied customer, take a look at these chicken coop plans...

Click Here To Be Satisfied With Your Chicken Coop Plans!

Keeping Chickens: What Type Of Chicken Coop Will You Need?

You've decided you are going to be keeping chickens. Now you're wondering what type of chicken coop you'll be needing. There are many chicken coop plans to choose from but you want the one that is the best fit for your needs. You'll be spending money on your poultry shed so you want to take your time to make the right choice.

So what type of coop should you build? The following guidelines will lead you down the right path to choosing wisely and being fully satisfied with your new chicken coop once it's built.

SIZE

There are small, medium  and large hen house plans. It all depends on the number of chickens you'll be keeping. The biggest mistake people make is trying to cram too many chickens into your coop. We don't like to feel like a sardine in a can. Neither do the chickens. They need space to live comfortably. They'll be happier and lay eggs properly.

If anything, you should go bigger instead of smaller. That way you'll be able to add more birds later on. Check out the link below for some excellent chicken coop plans...

Chicken Coop Designs!

FIXED SHED OR MOBILE

Portable chicken coops, of course, give you the advantage of being able to move it around to wherever you are, so if you're someone who will be keeping chickens as pets, this makes for a very attractive option.

A mobile chicken coop allows for easier maintenance since you can simply move the chicken coop to wherever you need to clean it.

If you're looking for something with a little more structural integrity you should choose fixed chicken housing. These are built sturdier so that they are able to withstand wear and tear. And all kinds of weather conditions.

PROTECTION

Those nasty predators. We do have to think about them as we don't want harm to come to our chickens. This will affect your decision on what type of chicken coop to make as well. Ideally you should have a very solid fencing system to keep all varieties of predators out. The chicken fencing will have to be built to match the size of the coop as well.

APPEARANCE

What do you want your chicken coop to look like?  There are a number of different ways you can build the chicken coop which will impact the overall design. This will also likely influence the cost of the building process, so it's something to think about so you can work within your budget.

There are definitely cheaper methods to building a chicken coop, so understanding the different things that will influence the cost is the first step to making a smart decision. You can get very creative with the appearance of your poultry shed. I've see a few that look like doll houses!

So, be sure you're factoring these points in as you decide which type of chicken coop you wish to build. Getting the information up front before you start to build will help save you hundreds of dollars over the long run.

Find Your Chicken Coop Plans Here!

Keeping Chickens Warm: Baby, Its Cold Outside

We don't like to be cold and neither do our chickens. We must keep them warm especially in cold weather. The chicken coop needs to be solid. It has to be dry and they don't want drafts ruffling their feathers, either.

You'll want to put a good layer of straw on the ground to help with insulation. In winter, the windows of the coop should have Plexiglas over the chicken wire to prevent cold drafts. This will still allow in light.

Now for the chicken roost. What would you rather put your bare feet on when it's cold? Plastic, metal or wood? Exactly. The chicken's feet will stay warm if the roost is made of wood.

Make sure they have a supply of fresh, unfrozen water. You can immerse a heater inside the water container or under it so that the temperature stays above freezing. A commercial broiler/layer feed can provide the chickens with energy for maintaining body warmth.

You may notice that chickens will huddle together when cold. They'll fluff their feathers and tuck their heads under their wings. Combs are susceptible to frostbite. Losing a comb is painful. You don't want this to happen.

Regulate the Temperature

Putting chickens in a room that is heated can be quite hazardous due to the considerable contrast between the outside and inside temperatures. An additional adverse effect concerns bacteria which are normally kept controlled as a result of the cold.

These bacteria are capable of flourishing in the moistened heat and can cause complications in the lungs of chickens. If the cold is extreme, a high temperature lamp may be improvised to ensure that the coop’s ambient temperature is nearer to freezing, but the coop should not be warmed up.

Although there is a chicken breed that is specifically bred to lay in winter, it is common for most hens to stop or decrease their egg production during the winter season. In this kind of weather, the eggs have to be picked more frequently otherwise they may freeze and break.

Insulating the Chicken Coop

Although free ranging of chickens is more beneficial than controlled housing, it generally results in their exposure to adverse weather conditions, which results in lower egg production. If you insulate the ceiling and walls of the coop, you have the additional benefit of moderate temperatures.

If you want to save money on insulation, heavy cardboard can be nailed to the inside of the coop’s ceiling and walls. This provides additional warmth while equally protecting the chickens from drafts. Ample ventilation should be provided for the chickens to ensure their health is good and it also lowers the coop’s humidity. It is preferable for the coop to have an adjustable window that provides fresh air although care should be exercised to make certain that the coop does not get excessively drafty.

It is good to note that due to the high resilience of mature chickens, they are capable of favorably withstanding low temperatures. Chickens are actually more susceptible to extreme hot conditions than to cold, as long as there is a provision of basic shelter.

For plans that will provide your chicks with good, safe housing, get  Chicken Coop Plans!

Building A Chicken Coop: Now It's Time To Accessorize The Interior!

Who doesn't love to accessorize? Whether it's home decorating, our own wardrobe or yes...even our beloved chicken coops. Accessories just make for a higher quality of life.

When you have figured out the basics for building the chicken coop, you'll want to plan for the accessories. These add to your chicken's comfort level which brings more fresh eggs. Happy chickens are happy egg-laying chickens.

Since there are many accessories you can add to your coop which is your preference, we'll cover the basics because these are important to the health of the hens and the housing.

Accessories To Die For

FEEDERS

You'll want to choose a good chicken feeder for your chicken coop. This gives them easy access to food to make sure they're eating properly. Naturally this is vital for their overall growth and egg development.

Also look at the specific height you place the feeder in the house as this too can influence how comfortably they are able to get to their food. Consider having a slightly raised feeder so they aren't able to scratch dirt around and into the feeder.

NESTING BOXES

You can get chicken nesting boxes in a variety of different shapes and sizes and can build them out of many common materials you have around the house such as a large plastic pail or an old wooden box.

The rule of thumb is that you should have one nesting box for every 2-4 hens and they should be relatively dark and cosy inside. It's also a good idea to build the top of the nesting box on a bit of an angle to discourage them from sleeping on top of the box.

WATERIER

Having a good chicken waterier inside the coop will help make sure your chickens have a good supply of fresh water on a regular basis. Again, just like we need. You can use many items you have right around the house to help cut down on the cost and make it more convenient for you.

If you are building a larger sized chicken coop it will be a good idea to include two wateriers if you can to give your chickens a bit more access to fresh water when they need it. As with the feeders, try to place them so they aren't able to scratch a lot of dirt into the water.

PERCHES

Put your chickens on a pedestal. You'll want to have a good chicken perch for your coop. This will help your chickens to get a good night's sleep so they are better able to lay their eggs. We know how important rest is!

And have enough perches so the chickens will have their space and not have to fight for room. Make the perches wide enough in the beginning because as the chickens grow, they'll need more room to sleep comfortably.

You'll be surprised with how much you'll grow to love your new family members. These accessories are important for them. Make sure you build a chicken coop with enough room for them to move around and enjoy their living quarters. No overcrowding for your birds. You are not a slum lord.

You'll also want to check out the bonuses you'll get with "Building A Chicken Coop". Bonus #2: "How to build nesting boxes for free out of common materials." Check all the bonuses out right here...

Click Here!

You And Your Chicken Coop: It's All About Protection From Predators

Whatever chicken coop you decide to build, the main function is to protect your chickens from harm. And that means predators. These predators can be foxes, coyotes, rodents, large dogs and nasty people!

It's heartbreaking to see your chickens get hurt. And if your children are involved with raising the chickens, I don't have to tell you the grief they will feel.

If you don't know what predators are in your area, ask your neighbors. Get in touch with your local Natural Resource Departments. You must be informed. Only then will you be able to take the precautionary measures.

LOCATION

You've already decided on proper land placement but if you can place the coop within close distance to your house, so much better. If you can look outside and see the coop, you can ensure the chickens are safe.

This is where having a mobile chicken coop comes in really handy since you can easily transport it to wherever you are going to be to really keep a watchful eye on them.

FENCING

When you know the predators you'll be dealing with, you can design the proper chicken fencing. If digging animals are of concern, you must build the house low enough to the ground so they can't burrow underneath it.

If you are looking at larger predatory animals, then you're going to need a fence that's incredibly sturdy in order to keep them out effectively.

This is why having a good guide to follow will help - it's vital that you pair your needs with the variety of fences. If you don't, you may think you're protecting your chickens, but you really haven't done much but added a bit of decoration to your chicken coop.

Since you've spent money on your chickens and building a chicken coop, it's crucial to provide the best fencing to protect your feathered friends.

Click Here!

Raising Chickens: How To Create A Hen-Happy Home For Your Feathered Friends

Before your chickens arrive, you want to make sure they will be happy in their new home. During the chicken coop building process, you'll want to figure out the most important chicken housing tips.


Chicken farmers can make mistakes which costs them time and frustration in the coop building process. If you have a good plan to follow, there will be less mistakes and more happiness.

Chicken housing tips:

Build A Large Enough Chicken Run

This is so important. Your chickens need to get enough exercise. This is why we're so against the industry that keeps the poor chickens caged in small quarters. (don't want to think about it) So you'll want a large chicken run so they don't feel overcrowded.

Even building a bigger run than you'll think you'll need is wonderful. They will love the extra space and any predators will be even that much farther away. Naturally, you'll have a chicken fence!

Build A Good Base

Make sure you have a good, solid base. This determines the structural integrity of your overall coop and you don't want to skimp on this.

Consider A Mobile Chicken Coop

Consider mobile chicken housing options. These are becoming more popular since then you can transport the chickens to wherever they need to be.

It will be easier to build a mobile chicken coop if you’re only planning on keeping a few birds since the smaller size is easier to move around and will be less prone to wear and tear, so be sure you’re keeping that in mind also.

Location, Location, Location

Decide on the area you'll be building the chicken coop. Don't place it in a low-lying area because water can collect around the base and cause big problems.

Set up in an area that gets a good amount of natural sunlight. That's important for getting fresh eggs on a daily basis.

So keep these points in mind. Building chicken housing doesn’t have to be overly complicated if you have a good plan to follow and take your time.

For chicken coop designs and plans to assist you in your chicken housing, Click Here!

Building A Chicken Coop: You Don't Need To Spend A Lot Of Money

People might think you have to get a lot of expensive materials to build a chicken coop. This is not the case at all.

Since you're already being self-sufficient and "green" by just deciding to raise chickens in your backyard, you'll want to continue in the same manner. Recycling where you can!

You can use many different materials in building your poultry sheds. For example: scrap lumber, 50 gallon barrels, renovating an old shed you already have, or other recycled materials. Be creative.

Wood is the most common material used. Although the priciest, it's the most durable so it will save you money in the long run. It will withstand the elements and keep your chicks happy and safe.

Then there are the different varieties of wood. These will be considerations to have in mind while coming to your decision. If you are only keeping one or two chickens, you could probably build a smaller coop with recycled timber.

For many, building a chicken coop becomes a labor of love and nothing but the best will do! I sometimes wish there was a museum of chicken coops. The creativity of some sheds are outstanding. Some are identical miniatures of the owner's home, some look like folk art, some have tasteful colors and trim. These sheds fit in so well with the landscaping, they truly are works of art!

For plans and designs to get you started on your own labor of love, check this out...
Click Here For Chicken Coop Plans!

Building A Chicken Hutch Depends On The Number Of Chickens

Are you planning on keeping only one or two chickens? Then you won't have to build a chicken coop. Building a chicken hutch is all you'll need. It will be much cheaper and take less time. If this is what you choose, a hutch is much easier to take care of.

If you're just getting started with raising chickens, this is a perfect option.

Things you need to know when building a chicken hutch

A Good Sized Door

Since you need to give your chickens easy access inside and outside of the hutch, it’s important that you make sure you’re building a good sized door.

If you build a tiny door, the chickens struggle to get in and out. You’re better off creating a larger door and then attaching a wooden door flap. This keeps them protected from predators but allows for easier access on their part.

Raised Off The Ground

Chicken coops are built right on the ground, but if you choose to build a chicken hutch you need to raise it off the ground.

Usually you'll want it raised somewhere about a foot off the ground, but don’t be overly concerned if it isn’t exactly this measurement. As long as it’s not placed right on the floor and your chickens can access it with a ramp if it is higher, that shouldn’t be a problem at all.

Easy Open Lid

Finally, the last thing is to make sure that you can easily open the lid to give you easy access to the chickens if you need it and also for cleaning purposes.

Since it is a much smaller place where your chickens are going to stay, if you aren’t cleaning it regularly you are going to run into problems with how it looks overall, so taking the time to clean it weekly is a very smart move.

If it’s harder for you to actually access the inside of the hutch though, the chances that you do decide to clean it regularly will be a great deal lower.

For more tips on taking good care of your chickens, Click Here!

Building A Chicken Coop: How To Find Good Shed Plans

Building a chicken coop involves planning like everything else. # 1 is finding good chicken shed plans to follow. Don't overlook the value that shed plans have in guiding you through the process in order to get the exact results you want.

Here's what you need to know about chicken coops.

Building Materials

There are a wide variety of building supplies available. If you can get your hands on used materials, you'll save yourself a lot of money. And boost the results you really want to achieve.

Landscaping

Spend time landscaping the area you plan to build on. Chicken shed plans will give you instructions on what areas are ideal so put thought into this important consideration. Watch for low elevation that could have flooding problems.

Also have your coop in area that gets the most amount of sunlight so your chickens lay eggs regularly.
Whatever you do, don’t build in the shade.

Don't Cramp The Chickens' Style!

You don't like feeling boxed in and claustrophobic. Neither do chickens. Make sure your shed plans give you a specific idea of your building dimension. Cramp their style and they will not lay eggs. And I don't blame them!

When you determine how many chickens you plan to keep, the next step is going to be figuring out the dimensions of your chicken coop.

Build A Durable Fence

Crucial! You want to keep your chickens safe from predators. Build a fence that will stand the test of time. Be sure you’re building this fence both tall enough and deep enough into the ground, as these are the main points that will keep the animals out. Click Here For Chicken Coop Building Plans!

Building A Chicken Coop: 4 Tips For Happy and Productive Chickens

Building A Chicken Coop!

You've decided to get a few chickens. Of course, you want the proper place to house them in. You want your chickens to be happy or you won't see them laying eggs on a regular basis.

So take the time to think of these things which will save you money and time in the long run.

***  Windows

Windows are the primary light source for your chicken coop. You have to plan before you start to build because you want them in the correct position. Cut the windows in the walls before building the coop. Think which direction will give the most natural sunlight.

*** Predators

Unfortunately there are predators and this will influence the type of design. Whatever plan you use, make sure it addresses the issue so your chickens are safe.

*** Primary Light Source

If you live in a location that doesn’t get a lot of natural sunlight, you'll have to think about wiring in some electrical light. Chickens do not respond well when they are not getting enough light, whether it’s sunlight or electrical light, so find a way to make sure your coop is well lit.

Electrical light can get to be rather expensive so usually it’s better to avoid this if you can, but in some cases that just isn’t possible.

*** Ventilation

This is crucial! For your chickens and for you! The air must stay fresh. Your chickens won't be any happier in a smelly coop than you would be. Make sure the plans for building a chicken coop address this important issue.

Click Here For The Best Chicken Coop Designs!