Saturday, April 23, 2011

Selecting The Most Suitable Chicken Coop Designs That Fits Your Backyard

By Timothy King


Whether you plan on raising just a few chickens, or if you have a larger scale in mind, there are some considerations to keep in mind when deciding on the best Chicken Coop Plans.

Many people today are raising chickens. With grocery prices rising and organic foods becoming more popular, getting fresh eggs from your own chickens is an economical and healthy idea. However, to have good egg production, you must have adequate shelter for the chickens.

The first step before building is to check that your plans meet any local regulations and codes. Then you must decide whether to just purchase a coop or to build one yourself. It will probably be just as easy, and much more economical to build your own.

There are many sites on the internet that provide free building plans. Before deciding which plan is best for you, you need to know how many chickens your coop will house. Most experts agree that you need at least 4 square feet per chicken. This will help you determine the size your building should be. If you do not provide enough space, you will very likely reduce the amount of egg production.

You must decide whether to give the chickens free range, or a fully enclosed fence. The coop must have adequate ventilation and light. Plan to also include nests and perches. Plans can be included for feeding and water containers, or they can easily be purchased at a store.

You should build the coop with easy access in mind. Some suggest two doors; a small one for the chickens and a larger one for you. You need to be able to get in easily for cleaning and gathering eggs. The floor should be built on a downward slope, and you should plan on having at least 3 inches of floor covering like wood chips or straw. The coop should face the sun.

When buying the building material make sure to purchase sturdy materials and good strong wire. This will help keep the animals safe from both predators and inclement weather.

Chicken coop plans can range from very simple to very fancy. The only things that they must provide are protection, easy access, and comfort. If the chickens feel comfortable, they are likely to produce more eggs.




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