Archive for the ‘chicken coop plans’ Category

Chicken Coop Building Plans and Why You Need One For a Successful Chicken Coop

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Today, most of the people are trying to look for ways to improve their bodies and more environmentally friendly all at the same time. One option, which is available to anyone having outdoor space, is to build a chicken coop. It’s quite easy to make it if you possess easy to follow chicken coop building plans. You can taylor these chicken coop building plans according to your needs, for the number of chickens you wish to own. After the setting up of your chicken coop, you can have the peace of mind that your eggs will always be organic, as will your chickens.

As you approach the grocery store door, you assume the food you are going to purchase is good for you. But you are probably not aware of the pesticides in your kitchen and in your refrigerator. Quickly people are realizing pesticides and hormone additives are out there and are determined to do something about it.

Building your own chicken coop is not the only solution. But it is an accessible and worthwhile option open for most people, who otherwise would not want to move to the countryside and change their entire lifestyle.

If you are so inclined you will save money by building a chicken coop yourself. The first thing you’ll need is a plan plus materials and tools. With these in hand you should be done in a mere few hours.

After that, you have the security of knowing that your chickens will be contained, and likely produce more eggs than you could probable use. These extra eggs can be given to friends, or sold, as there is a great demand for organic eggs. If you do decide of selling off your excessive eggs, then the coop will eventually even pay for itself.

One good thing about your own chicken coop os that you will have a steady supply of fertilizer for your garden. Chicken droppings are easily contained and gathered from the coop and if you find that you have more than you need you can sell the excess. The benefits to your garden and ultimately your own health will make having the coop worthwhile.

You can save a lot of money on chicken coops by building your own. If you use easy chicken coop building plans, you can enjoy your own quality eggs. A homemade chicken coop is just as good as a premade coop.

Learn more on how you can build cost-effective chicken coop by following easy step by step plan. Go To Free Chicken Coop Plans at http://www.chicken-coop-building-plans.com/

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in chicken coop plans | No Comments »

Easy Chicken Coop Designs – Build a Hen House That They’ll Love

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Have you decided to keep poultry at your home? You would be surprised at how many people are choosing to do this as a way of ensuring a safe food supply. But chickens need a place to stay so once you have decided to keep a flock, chicken coop building plans are your next highest priority. You can, of course, choose to purchase a pre-made coop but these can be expensive and may not meet your needs.

You may have heard about the advantages you can gain from keeping poultry. If you love the taste but hate the idea of hormone laced meat raised in less than ideal living conditions, free range chicken may be the perfect solution. Not only can you get meat and eggs from them, you will find that because you can feed them food scraps the amount of waste you are generating will also be reduced. You may also find that the birds do an excellent job of keeping insects under control around your home.

Chicken coops provide a few basic necessities for your birds. They provide shelter from the weather, allow roosting hens to lay their eggs in a private and relaxed setting and can also help shield your birds from predators. Choosing the right plans can be a critical step to ensure that your birds are productive and able to grow and lay as effectively as possible.

The location of your coop can be almost as important as the design of the structure. Keep in mind that a coop can be quite large. You should not build a smaller coop than you need because you do not have enough room in your desired location. You need to allow some space for the birds to move around outside the coop. While they will return there to sleep, you want to make sure they cannot wander off and be injured.

The size of the coop is important so you need to think about the approximate number of chickens you will keep. A good rule of thumb is to allow for approximately 4.5 square feet of space per chicken. When building nesting areas, consider that you should allow three nests for every eight birds. You also need to allow perching space and a thick layer of shavings or litter on the floor. Nine inches of perch per bird is more than adequate.

The chicken coop building plans you pick should also be well ventilated. There is a difference between insulating a coop and making it too stuffy and closed in. An airy coop can help keep the chance of disease at lower levels. Cleanliness is also key to keeping your birds healthy. You want to make sure that you can access the coop via a door in order to clean the coop fully. A door which opens inward is the most optimal choice.

If you build a coop you may be much more contented that your birds will have a safe and secure place to stay. You may find that you are able to build a better coop for less than the ones which are commercially available. Often, commercially available coops may not be suitable for smaller flocks so choosing the right homemade coop may be your only alternative.

Head online and find out how to make a chicken coop. You will be able to find many chicken coop building plans that are simple to follow. Get your chicken coop set up today. Go to http://www.chicken-coop-building-plans.com/

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in chicken coop plans | No Comments »

Build a Chicken Coop in 3 Easy Steps

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

If you are struggling to build your very own chicken coop then read on as we outline 3 easy steps to follow to get you going today.

Use these 3 easy to follow steps to build a good chicken coop that is both pleasant looking and safe for your chickens.

1. Start by Building A Safe Haven for your Chickens

Your chickens need protection from the harsh environment and marauding predators. Your should provide a place of refuge where they can rest and be safe from the rain, heat and cold. First, you must consider your location. You must be able to build a chicken coop in an elevated, well-ventilated area, free from moisture so that your chickens are kept dry and warm. If possible have this chicken coop face the direction of the sun. Obviously they need to be fenced in but also consider using wire under the coop to prevent foxes from burrowing under.

2. Build Something That Can Be Easily Cleaned

You do not want your chickens catching any disease or be plagued with an epidemic by failing to create a chicken coop that’s completely unmanageable. Bear in mind, that you must keep your chicken coop clean as often as possible to do away with harmful bacteria that can spell disaster or worse, death for your chickens.

To make cleaning easier, design the chicken coop floor with a low angled slope so that cleaning water and disinfectants will drain quickly with gravity. Building a sloping rooftop in a similar fashion also ensures that rain water runs easily down the sloping rooftop and thus preventing water from pooling and damaging the roof.

3. Always Maintain A Bright and Warm Chicken Coop

A well-lit and well-ventilated chicken coop is essential for healthy chickens. This is even more important in the cold winter months as your chickens are essentially outdoors and vulnerable to the harsh natural environment. Ensure adequate insulation for your chicken coop walls with thick construction materials in an elevated position. This will allow the cold wind and cold ground to pass by and do away with moisture whilst trapping the warm heat inside. Adding windows also allows heat from the sun to penetrate especially plastic or glass which keeps the living quarters sealed.

So there you go, 3 important key points to keep in mind when building your very own chicken coop. Involve the family and have some fun as your work together to building something you all can be proud of, your very own chicken coop.

For more tips on how to build a chicken coop, visit Howie Kingsly’s guide to building chicken pens and chicken coops.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in chicken coop plans | No Comments »

Is A Large Chicken Coop Right For You?

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

The benefits of owning large chicken coops are many. However, too few people know these benefits, and end up spending huge amounts of money to buy food that could have been made by raising chickens. The thing to remember, though, is that chickens are delicate creatures, contrary to their seemingly hearty exterior. They are easily chilled by cold conditions. You will need to take this into consideration before buying or building a coop.

Of course, even those living in modern, industrialized areas can benefit from buying or building large chicken coops. In today’s fragile economy, many people find themselves struggling to afford food, let alone the cost of living. This is why many are opting to raise chickens for food.

And so, the question remains: What can owning a large chicken coop do for you?

With that in mind, large chicken coops are a great asset for anyone, including farmers and private individuals. The larger your coop is the more comfortable living conditions will be for your chickens. This creates a viable environment to raise healthy chickens that will grow and thrive. Generally, you can fit large numbers of chickens in a large chicken coop. Making living conditions comfortable will help boost your food production and extend the lifespan of your chickens.

Another thing to consider is how much time you will be able to devote to caring for your chicken coop. For those with a limited schedule, it might be beneficial to build a very basic coop.

With that in mind, it is important to make sure you don’t build large chicken coops in a small area. This can lead to overcrowding and disease.

Large chicken coops can also be complicated. Some people prefer to have shelves or fancy extras, such as wooden ramps that allow chickens to enter and exit the coop at will. However, don’t assume that your coop has to be complex to be effective. A chicken coop with plastic wrap over the windows can be just as effective as one with glass windows.

Supplies such as these are less expensive, of course, but you will also need to consider your climate before investing in large chicken coops. If you live in a cold climate, you will most likely need to build or purchase a coop with extra insulation. This could mean getting thick glass for windows or heavier insulation. If you live in a warm or tropical climate, you will need to make sure your coop has ample ventilation that allows the chickens to breathe.

Looking to find the best deal on chicken coop plans, then visit www.buildchickencoopplans.net to find the best advice on build a chicken coop for you.

Tags:
Posted in chicken coop plans | No Comments »