Raising chickens could be something you can profit from as they provide eggs and meat as well as natural manure for your plants. However, chickens also need a suitable place to live and thrive. Learning how to build a coop for them could be the best decision you can make for them. You don’t have to be a really good carpenter to be able to build a chicken coop; all you need is a basic carpentry skills a few tools and innovation to be able to form a shelter for your chickens. Planning should be done before taking your hands to work on the building. Here are some steps on how to build a chicken coop:
On Planning
Step 1
Find a place which is elevated; elevation doesn’t need to be really high. The purpose of the elevation is that the coop should not accumulate water during the stormy seasons.
Step 2
Measure the coop carefully to be able to maximize the space in your yard. If you are raising hens to lay eggs or simply for meat, 2 square feet is enough per bird although if you have space then offer more. The rule is always measure twice cut once, this should help avoid silly errors and wasted time and materials.
Step 3
Draw a design on paper; this will serve as your blue print. Be sure to have a proper floor plan. The design should include the door which is enough for you to be able to enter when you collect eggs. Putting a window will add ventilation to the coop so don’t neglect them.
Step 4
Collect the materials you need to build the coop. You don’t have to buy new products. Scrap woods, lumber and ply woods will do. As for the chicken wire, you need to buy it if you don’t have any. Feeders and straws should also be bought.
On Building
Step 1
In constructing the coop, you must build it to face the south. Be sure to build the roof with a considerable slope so that during the rainy seasons, the water will not run off directly to the door.
Step 2
One thing you should consider in building the coop is the predators. Therefore, windows should be covered with chicken wire to keep the proper ventilation but disallowing the predators to enter.
Step 3
Secure the door so that only you could enter. Putting a latch or lock would be best.
Step 4
For the laying hens, you must build nest boxes along the walls of the coop. They should be 4 feet from the ground to keep rodents out.
Step 5
You must protect the entire yard so that your chickens will be safe from their predators. Fencing it with a chicken wire and having net roofing will ensure their safety.
Step 6
Install the feeders elevated to equal the heights of the chickens. You can also keep their food clean by doing so.
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