| Building a backyard chicken coop is easy and | | | | scavenged wood. Spend a little money up front to |
| affordable if you follow a few simple guidelines. It is a | | | | save you time and money later. The coop will be |
| process that must be well thought out and planned | | | | exposed to the elements 365 days of the year so |
| so as not to miss any key elements or overlook any | | | | good quality materials are essential. So buy your |
| key design or construction issues. I will break the | | | | 2x4's and other material new! Pressure treated wood |
| process down to 5 easy steps. | | | | can be used but is not advised. Chickens will peck at |
| 1. Design. The first step to begin building a chicken | | | | everything so you do not want then pecking away |
| coop is to determine where exactly you are planning | | | | at a chemically treated piece of wood. Chicken wire |
| to build. This will determine the overall layout of your | | | | is readily available in different widths and lengths. You |
| coop based on the dimensions you come up with. | | | | will have to determine which size roll is the best fit |
| You should measure it off and sketch a quick | | | | for your coop. You can also look in the masonry |
| schematic with the dimensions for use throughout | | | | department at your local hardware store for stucco |
| the process. Once you have decided on your location | | | | lathe, or stucco backing. It is virtually identical to |
| and have your sketch you will then need to decide | | | | chicken wire, but is a little less expensive and comes |
| exactly what you want your coop to look like. There | | | | in larger rolls. |
| are many books and resources available to help you | | | | 3. Ventilation/Light: Make sure your coop is well |
| with different looks and designs. In general you want | | | | ventilated. It should not be completely enclosed. You |
| your coop to be as large as possible to keep your | | | | need air flow through the coop for chicken health |
| chickens at their happiest. Take your schematic and | | | | and for sanitary reasons. Chickens are very hardy |
| begin to add in the details of your design. Begin by | | | | and can take cold weather, however they should be |
| starting on the outside perimeter. Find out how many | | | | kept away from a direct wind. Make sure your coop |
| posts you will need to construct the "shell" of your | | | | has sufficient natural light. Be sure to choose a |
| coop. Then fill in with "runners" from post to post. | | | | roofing material that allows light to pass through. Use |
| Then you will need to consider your roof. The roof | | | | this transparent material on at least half of the roof |
| area should be completely covered, especially if you | | | | area. |
| live in snowy or rainy areas. Be Sure to slope the | | | | 4. Safety: Be sure to keep chicken safety in mind |
| roof for runoff. Once your basic design and sketch is | | | | when constructing your coop. There are many |
| complete you can then look at the inside of your | | | | night-time predators, even in urban areas that will try |
| coop. A coop is just the "shell"; you must also build | | | | their hardest to breach your coop for a late-night |
| your chickens a hen house and some perches. The | | | | feast. Use enough wood so as to minimize long |
| hen house needs to be a small, semi-enclosed area | | | | stretches of just chicken wire. Staple guns can be |
| with a roof that in separated into individual nesting | | | | used to attach the chicken wire but should be used |
| boxes. This is where your chickens will lay their eggs | | | | very liberally. Be sure there are No openings or |
| and sleep. Ideally you should have a nesting box for | | | | potential open areas. Also be sure to bury about 12 |
| each chicken, but I have found that they will tend to | | | | inches of chicken wire around the perimeter of your |
| share nesting boxes, so if you have quite a few | | | | coop. Many predators will attempt to dig under your |
| chickens you can just make as many nesting boxes | | | | coop walls, so be sure to extend the wire and |
| as is feasible. Chickens need a place to perch. It is | | | | thoroughly bury it. |
| crucial for egg production. So build them a little ladder | | | | 5. Feed/Water: Visit your local feed or pet store and |
| perch. Basically 2 boards with several rungs. You can | | | | buy a small trough type feeder. This will allow you to |
| then lean this against any wall in your coop. Again, | | | | spread out your food restocking activities. There are |
| you can refer to some books or other resources for | | | | many different water dispensers available at various |
| more information on the hen house and perches. | | | | stores. It is best to buy a large one, again to |
| Once your design and material list is complete it is | | | | minimize the times you need to refill it. Be sure to |
| time to look at the actual materials you will need to | | | | check your water and food daily. Water can freeze |
| complete your construction | | | | or the chickens can knock over the dispenser. |
| 2. Materials: Once you have your materials list it is | | | | Consult your local pet or feed store for the type of |
| now time to head to the local hardware store. The | | | | food you should feed your chickens. I feed my |
| coop should be made with new wood, not | | | | chickens our leftover fruits and vegetables as well. |