Build A Chicken Coop

When you build a chicken coop make sure you design it so that it will withstand the climate you live in.  If you live in an area that is hot and humid you will need to provide adequate ventilation to keep your chickens cool and comfortable. If your climate is cold then it is important to build your chicken coop free of drafts, with plenty of insulation to keep your chickens warm and a way to keep their drinking water from freezing. Even in a cold climate chickens need fresh air so ventilation is just as important in cold weather as it is in warm weather, just keep them warm.

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If you live in the suburbs or city check the local regulations before you build a chicken coop. Some cities, counties and communities have laws that prohibit chickens or chicken coops in your backyard. If chicken farming is allowed in your area check on placement regulations to make sure you build your chicken coop within the guidelines of your county or city. The other consideration in building your chicken coop is to make sure your coop design is attractive. You do not want to offend any neighbors. If you do experience complaining neighbors, offer them some fresh eggs as a good gesture and address their complaints. If could be something as simple as keeping your chicken coop cleaner or perhaps giving it a good paint job. Above all else, make sure the location of your chicken coop meets the needs of your chickens. They need plenty of fresh air, sunlight and room to roam.

You may want to elevate your chicken coop. Elevating your chicken coop will help protect your chickens from predators like snakes and rodents. When you build a chicken coop that is elevated it also helps keep your chickens cooler in the summer and reducing flooding caused by rain. Your chickens will also go underneath the chicken coop during the day if it is raised to stay cool. It is always a good idea if your chicken coop is elevated that you have a wire chicken run encompassing the chicken coop. Bury the chicken wire at least six inches in the ground during installation. This is added protection against other predators like dogs, cats, raccoons and birds of prey.

As with any bird, chickens are messy. When you build a chicken coop make sure you design it to allow a thick layer of wood shavings or other litter materials to be maintained on the chicken coop floor. This will help collect chicken droppings and make it easier to clean and less dirty for the chickens. Another option is to design the chicken coop with a wire mesh floor so the chicken droppings fall to the ground or into a container designed to go under the coop. This will make cleaning even easier than the litter method and cause less odor from the droppings. Whatever method you build for your chicken coop the important factor is to ensure the chicken coop is kept clean so your chickens remain healthy and disease free.

You will need a storage area attached or near your chicken coop. When you build a chicken coop plan for an area to store the chicken feed, extra straw or hay for the nesting boxes, a rake and shovel to help with the cleanup of chicken droppings and fresh litter such as wood shavings for the bottom of the chicken coop. You will also need a basket handy to collect your eggs on a daily basis, and a bucket with paper towels to clean up any broke or dropped eggs. The storage area needs to be water proof and air tight to keep your supplies dry and fresh.

Now, go build a chicken coop and have some fun!

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