Introduction
Why keep chickens?
Chickens are a great addition to any homestead. They provide fresh eggs, manure for your garden and they can even help control pest populations in your yard. Building a chicken coop is an important first step in raising chickens; it will protect them from predators, provide them with shelter, warmth and shade during hot summer months.
Choosing a Location
Choosing the right location is essential to building a chicken coop. You'll want to select a spot that's close enough to your home, but far enough away that it doesn't become an eyesore or nuisance. Factors like privacy, shade and wind can all play a role in determining where you should put your new chicken coop.
The advantages of choosing an isolated area include:
Less chance of predators attacking your flock
Less noise from other animals or people disturbing them
Gathering Materials
Now that you have a general idea of what your coop will look like, it's time to gather the materials for construction. You'll need:
Wood for framing and flooring (8x4 or 6x6 boards are best)
Plywood or OSB sheets for walls and roofing
Hardware cloth (for ventilation)
You can purchase these items at any home improvement store or lumberyard. The cost of materials depends on how large your coop is and what kind of wood you choose; expect to spend anywhere from $200-$400 on everything above if you buy new lumber and hardware cloth. If you want to save money, consider salvaging old fencing or building off-cuts into your chicken house!
Constructing the Coop
Building a chicken coop is not as difficult as it may seem. There are many different ways to build your own coop, but for this guide we'll be focusing on the most common method:
Step 1: Find a location for your coop that is safe from predators and elements (i.e., wind and rain).
Step 2: Lay out the foundation of your structure using sturdy wood or metal beams. Make sure these materials are strong enough to support both you and your chickens' weight!
Step 3: Build up from there using whatever materials you have available--this could include bricks, cement blocks or even hay bales if they're strong enough to hold up under pressure without breaking apart easily when touched by human hands (or claws).
Building the Run
After you've chosen the location for your coop, it's time to start planning the run. The size and shape of your run will depend on several factors: how many chickens you want to keep, how much space they need to roam around in, whether they're going to have access outside during the day or just at night (more on this later), etc.
For example, if you only have one or two chickens and live in an urban area where predators aren't usually an issue (a big city), then building a small pen with just enough room for them might be fine. If you live out in rural America where coyotes prowl around looking for easy prey like baby chicks--and especially if there are children around who might wander into harm's way--then having a large area secured by tall fencing is necessary for safety reasons alone!
If possible try not put any windows near where predators could jump through them since this would make it easier than ever before for them get inside without being noticed until after something bad had already happened...which means no more eggs!
Installing Nesting Boxes
Nesting boxes are an important part of your coop, as they provide a safe and comfortable place for your hens to lay their eggs. The right size nesting box will ensure that you get the most out of your chicken's time spent in it. It should be large enough for her to comfortably stretch out her wings, but not so big that she has too much room to move around in--this can lead to egg breakage and other problems. If you have more than one hen sharing a nest box, consider adding another one so they have enough privacy when laying eggs.
The number of nesting boxes needed depends on how many hens live in your coop; however, some people recommend having two per five birds (or one per ten). For example: if you have six chickens then install three or four nests; if there are twelve chickens then install six or seven nests; etcetera...
When placing these structures inside the coop itself keep them level with each other so no one feels left out when trying find their own private space away from everyone else's eyesight range!
Providing Ventilation
Ventilation is an important part of any chicken coop. Ventilation ensures that your chickens have adequate airflow and are not breathing in stale air. There are several types of ventilation you can use, including windows and vents.
The best way to ensure proper ventilation is by installing windows in your chicken coop that allow air to flow freely through the structure. You should also consider installing vents on opposite sides of the structure so that one side isn't getting more air than another side (this will help prevent uneven drying).
Adding Accessories
As you're building your chicken coop, you may want to add some accessories. These can be anything from perches and roosts to feeders and water dispensers. The type of accessory you choose will depend on what kind of chickens you have, as well as their size and age.
Perches: Perches are elevated platforms that allow chickens to rest comfortably during the day without having to sit on the ground or flooring material inside their coops (which can get dirty). If a chicken isn't comfortable sitting down in its own home, then it may become stressed out by being confined there--and even aggressive toward other birds if they come too close! So make sure every bird has its own perch so everyone gets enough sleep at night!
Roosts: Roosts are similar in function as perches except they're usually higher up than most other types of furniture would allow for such things like sitting comfortably without falling off onto hard surfaces below them (again). They also tend not necessarily need any additional support beyond themselves since most roosts already come with built-in bars made specifically for holding up weight like yours plus maybe one extra friend if needed...or two if it's really crowded inside!
Maintaining the Coop
Cleaning the coop regularly is important to keep it sanitary and prevent disease.
Inspecting for damage is also important, as this can lead to problems later on.
Replacing materials as needed will help you maintain a safe environment for your chickens.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember when you're building your chicken coop is that it's not just a place for your chickens to sleep and lay eggs. It's also their home, so make sure you give them enough space and provide them with everything they need to be comfortable.
If you follow these tips, then building a chicken coop should be easy!
