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!
Showing posts with label how to build a chicken coop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label how to build a chicken coop. Show all posts
Monday, April 1, 2013
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
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
"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
Saturday, March 12, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
How To Build A Custom Made Backyard Chicken Coop
If you plan on raising chickens in your backyard, a chicken coop is the first thing you must think about. You want your chickens to have a safe, cozy place to live.
Most people don't want to invest in ready made poultry sheds because of the inflated prices and delivery hassles. This is why many men and women decide to build a chicken coop of their own.
The Plan Comes First
** How many chickens will you keep?
** What size are the chickens?
** What number of nests, feeders and waterers?
** Windows are crucial for natural sunlight.
The Terrain
** You'll want a large area for the shed to fit in
** Also area for the chickens to run
** Area of direct sunlight
** Free of weeds and thick brush to forbid snakes and rodents
The Design
** Make sure you have your plans before you head off to lumber store
** Materials needed are hammer, nails, screws, concrete cinder blocks, wood (2x4), chicken wire or fence wire and insulation.
** Make sure there's enough ventilation and insulation to protect your chickens from the cold.
The benefits are many to building a backyard chicken coop. Lower cost, especially if you can acquire recycled materials or use existing materials.
You can have a custom made shed and believe me, some of the designs I've seen are incredible. Like real little doll houses. Ideal fit with landscaping!
Your backyard chicken coop will be one of your best investments! Congratulations!
Most people don't want to invest in ready made poultry sheds because of the inflated prices and delivery hassles. This is why many men and women decide to build a chicken coop of their own.
The Plan Comes First
** How many chickens will you keep?
** What size are the chickens?
** What number of nests, feeders and waterers?
** Windows are crucial for natural sunlight.
The Terrain
** You'll want a large area for the shed to fit in
** Also area for the chickens to run
** Area of direct sunlight
** Free of weeds and thick brush to forbid snakes and rodents
The Design
** Make sure you have your plans before you head off to lumber store
** Materials needed are hammer, nails, screws, concrete cinder blocks, wood (2x4), chicken wire or fence wire and insulation.
** Make sure there's enough ventilation and insulation to protect your chickens from the cold.
The benefits are many to building a backyard chicken coop. Lower cost, especially if you can acquire recycled materials or use existing materials.
You can have a custom made shed and believe me, some of the designs I've seen are incredible. Like real little doll houses. Ideal fit with landscaping!
Your backyard chicken coop will be one of your best investments! Congratulations!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
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!
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!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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!
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!
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