Need help getting that wooden chicken coops project off the ground? Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Select a place to put the coop in. Remember to choose a relatively higher spot or a sloping one to avoid puddling problems especially during the wet season.
Step 2: Decide on how big your coop will be. Expert raisers recommend allotting five to 6 square feet per chicken, plus a couple more square feet for nesting hens.
Step 3: Put your plan on paper. Never go straight to constructing without having a sound and nice written plan. Sketch a place where you want to put the door and the windows in. Make sure the windows are on the side that faces the south. This will ensure sufficient air circulation during the simmer and enough light on the winter. Your map should also include how the inside of your chicken coop will look like. Don’t forget the nesting area and about six to 10 inches per chicken of space to perch on.
Step 4: Begin constructing your wooden chicken coops. Start with the wooden frame, following your sketch. Make sure that the roof is tilted a bit so water will not collect atop it. And the doors and windows are securely covered with chicken wire. Make sure to have a latch for the doors as well.
Step 5: Once the nest boxes and perches are in their proper places, it’s time for the finishing touches. Take your waterers and feeders, and hang them at a height up to the chickens’ back. Chickens always have the urge to scratch, and keeping the water and food away from their scratching reach will ensure that your chickens always have a clean and ample supply of food and water.
There are many different justifications for a poultry raiser to invest in good-quality chicken coops for sale. Among these reasons is the ease with which a growing poultry may be managed. Imagine if a 100-animal poultry farm would allow all the chickens to roam free. Keeping track of the animals and feeding them would be very challenging.
Traditional poultry raisers may argue that chicken houses always worked. However, in this day and age, when the need to maximize available space is affecting all projects, many modern poultry raisers are finding bigger value in investing in smaller, movable chicken coops. These coops are portable, in that they can be set out on the ground so chickens can feed on earth insects, and then moved on to other areas if need be.
But the most important reason for investing in chicken coops is the protection that they provide to your chickens. There are two main enemies that you should protect your chickens against: the elements, and their predators.
Predators, especially in rural areas, can be a challenging problem because chickens are natural temptations for such animals as dogs, rodents and foxes. Typically, chicken wire or wire mesh is sufficient to keep them out. But the frame has to be sturdy enough to withstand impact or attacks. The wire walls should also be securely fastened to their frames.
When it comes to protecting against the weather, chicken coops are required to be well ventilated so the inside remains dry at all times. Cold weather should not worry you too much as long as the coop is warm and dry inside. Otherwise, your chickens could be in danger of growing sick.
Buying chicken coops is not an easy task. Aside from the wide array of models and dimensions that you can take your pick from, there are also the following factors that you should keep in mind:
First: Do you want a raised chicken coop or one that rests on the ground?
Your answer to this question should be based on how large your available space is. Go for the raised one if space is an issue so you can make use of the area underneath the chicken coops.
Second: What level of protection will your poultry require?
While it is true that chicken coops in general are supposed to protect chickens, there are also different levels of protection depending on how sturdy the materials and construction are. Choose a low-security chicken coop if your area is relatively safe from predators. On the other hand, choose a high-security chicken coop for areas that are exposed to predators and harsh weather conditions.
Third: How is the weather condition in your area?
The weather condition will dictate how much ventilation your chicken coop will require in order to keep your chickens healthy and strong while living in it. If your area is prone to extreme weather conditions, it is best to make sure that your coop has enough windows and other openings to let air and sunlight in. This will ensure that the chicken coop remains dry and comfortable for your chickens to live in. Otherwise, your chickens will suffer the health consequences of being exposed to dampness or too much heat.
