| Next to deciding on the plans for a chicken coop, | | | | asphalt shingles though will be more costly initially. |
| choosing the chicken coop materials is one of the | | | | The windows in the coop can be Plexiglass, clear |
| most important decisions to be made. Chickens will | | | | plastic or regular house windows. Plexiglass might be |
| live in just in about any type of structure that is dry | | | | a better choice for safety reasons. Plexiglas will not |
| and protected from the elements. The size and | | | | shatter like glass and it will be one less safety hazard |
| configuration of the coop is only limited by the | | | | to think about. |
| imagination of the builder. | | | | To protect your birds from predators an outside |
| Wood is generally the most popular material used to | | | | wired area will be required. The wire needed can |
| build chicken coops. The wood chosen should be safe | | | | range from the standard chicken wire to a less |
| for the chickens. In areas where the chickens have | | | | expensive stucco wire with small squares. This wire |
| direct access to the material, avoid using treated | | | | can also be used to cover any ventilation openings on |
| lumber. Many of the treatments contain harmful | | | | the coop to allow lots of fresh air all while keeping |
| chemicals and may injure or even kill the chickens. | | | | out predators. |
| Try to use this material for the substructure of the | | | | If you live in a climate with cold winters, one last |
| coop - mainly the floor frame and exterior walls, but | | | | thing to consider is insulation. Popular choices for |
| nothing where a chicken is able to peck at it. For | | | | insulation are a batt style insulation or sheet |
| non-treated wood where there is worry about | | | | Styrofoam. Whatever the choice, the insulation |
| exposure to the elements, a simple wood sealer can | | | | should be covered to keep the chickens from getting |
| be applied. | | | | at it. |
| The roof of the coop can be any type of material | | | | Keep in mind that this is going to be the home for |
| that can repel water. Popular choices are asphalt | | | | the lifetime of the flock so try and build the best |
| shingles and metal sheeting. Metal sheeting is a good | | | | home possible for the flock. |
| choice when weight is a factor. Metal will also outlast | | | | |