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

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: Preventing Health Problems

Just as with keeping ourselves healthy, the same is for our chickens. Prevention is far better than having to cure a disease. So where do we start? Good husbandry is important implementing good preventive measures to help keep illness and disease at bay and mortality rates low in our feathered friends.

Signs of a sick bird:

# Sneezing
# Lost of Appetite
# Tiredness
# Mites and Parasites
# Bloody droppings

When it comes to your chicken's safety, a good sturdy coop goes a long way in ensuring their health. Have good wire mash covering the windows and run to  keep out predators but be sure to bury it at least a foot underground to prevent them burrowing their way in.

During hot weather provide plenty of drinking water to avoid heat stress, and heating if necessary during winter. Also certain chicken breeds combs and wattles are susceptible to frost bite. Protect their combs with petroleum jelly.

But if your chickens could talk, they would tell you, "Home Sweet Home" is where it's at and you can find chicken coop plans at...Click Here!

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!

Poultry Keeping Is Booming! Raising Chickens In Your Backyard Is Now Cool!

For years, many people went about keeping poultry on the QT. They didn't make a fuss about their hobby or their love for their feathered friends. Mostly, they were considered odd. Odd ducks, ha ha . Not something to brag to the neighbors about, right?

Imagine their surprise when keeping chickens grew in popularity. A day doesn't go by now where you can pick up a newspaper or magazine article and not read about the latest in raising chickens. TV has gotten on the bandwagon. They love to report about anything "green".

Now people are coming to the quiet chicken farmers and asking for advice about breeds of hens, how many eggs they can expect and how to house their new family members. Instant celebrity!

Now that people are becoming more concerned where their food is coming from, this growth in keeping chickens in backyards will continue to rise. We're aware of our carbon footprint. For me, when I think of how hens are kept in battery cages, I lose my mind!

And let's not forget the eggs. You know what an egg tastes like that you buy from your supermarket. It doesn't really have a "taste". Sort of bland. You need to add lots of spices, right? Now taste an egg from a backyard chicken grower. First the shock of the color. Yolks really are yellow. Who knew? The ones from the grocery stores are more white, aren't they? This should tell you about the crucial difference is the egg quality.

You'll also find the size of the eggs are much bigger. When hens are allowed to live in harmony and be themselves, they produce exquisite eggs. I can't get into where the eggs come from that we buy in the stores because it makes me nuts. I can't go there, but if you want to research it, there are plenty of places to learn about the cruelty in order to make money.

You will also notice that your chickens have personality. They are all unique. This is a wonderful family-oriented hobby to become involved with. It teaches your children character traits they can never learn from books or school. Allow them to take part in all aspects of poultry keeping. And watch them grow in confidence and empathy.

So if you've decided it's time to look into keeping chickens in your backyard, the first thing you'll want to think about is poultry housing. You'll be building a poultry shed. Or chicken coop. Whatever you decide to call their home. That means you'll need shed plans because if you're going to do something, you'll be wanting to do it right the first time. This saves you time and money in the long run.

With your chicken coop plans,  Click Here!, you can build the size of shed you'll need to start out with. This is according to the number of chickens you'll keep. If you know you'll be adding to your flock, build a bigger coop right away. If you are only planning on two or three hens, maybe you'll decide on a portable chicken coop.

So with your chicken coop plans, you're on your way to being "green", saving your carbon footprint, taking responsibility for the food you eat and teaching your kids valuable life skills...

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!

Chicken Coops: The Hottest Location For The Hen House

A very important thing to consider when planning on raising chickens besides building a chicken coop is where you should position their housing. This is because the placement of the hen house will determine how many eggs your chickens will lay and therefore, how happy you'll be. Needless to say, your chickens will be happier as well.

You all want to be happy in the years to come so you'll want to put a lot of consideration into placement. And selecting the perfect spot. As many things will be affected.

Things To Consider

PROTECTION

The first thing you have to think about are predatory animals. I wrote more about that in my last February post. This is why I like to place a chicken coop close by to where you are so you can keep a better eye on them.

If you have a very large farm, you may only have certain areas of your yard that encounter animals, so choosing to place the coop as far away from that would be a very smart move.

CLIMATE

Just like ourselves, our chickens are affected by climate. Do you live in a very hot area? How about the rainfall in your location?

If you get rain frequently, you may consider building the chicken coop in an area that is more protected by nearby trees, helping to reduce the amount of direct rain that hits the house. You'll also want to place your coop in an area of the yard that doesn't have water accumulating around their housing.

For example, if you have water running down a grade of land, you don't want the coop at the bottom of the hill. Then you'll have a flood or a puddle for the birds. And a wet chicken is an unhappy chicken.

Do you live in a windy area? This is another reason for building the chicken coop in a treed area or around buildings so the housing will be shielded from high winds. Don't confuse wind with good ventilation in the coop. Wind blown chicks are miserable chicks.

SUNLIGHT

Chickens require a good amount of natural sunlight in order to lay eggs effectively. So you'll want to build your chicken coop in an area that's well lit and faces the sun. Another reason to take advantage of the sunlight is to use less electric light which as you know can become costly.

So keep all these things in mind when deciding where to place your hen's new home. You will all be happy in the long run.

Can't wait to get started? Then get your chicken coop plans today by visiting the link below:

Chicken Coop Plans!

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 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!