Do you think that it's going to take weeks to build a chicken house? If so, you may want to think again. With the right techniques and tips you can easily accomplish this goal in as little as a few short days and have great success while doing so.
Here is what you need to know in order to build a chicken house properly.
Plan The Entire Inside Before Building
The first thing you must do as you build a chicken house is take the time to plan the entire coop before you build. Many people make the mistake of building too early and then find out they have built too small because of all the additional pieces that have to go inside.
Remember that the measurements that you get in terms of total free space are just that - free space. If you start adding the feeders, the waterers, the perches, and so on, this will take away from the total amount of free space you have, making your chickens feel more crowded.
To solve this problem, draw a blueprint out first and then proceed to build a chicken house according to that design.
Make Sure You Give Your Chickens Enough Light
Next, you also need to make sure that you're giving your chickens enough total light. This is accomplished by being sure you add enough windows throughout the coop which will serve to allow the sun to shin in.
Just be sure with these windows that you are not placing them too low or the sun may shine directly at the chickens, which can make them feel uncomfortable. Locate the main direction the sun typically hits your chicken coop and be sure to focus your windows on that side of the house.
Never Build Smaller Than You Think You'd Need
Finally, as noted in the first point, size is one of the biggest things you must take into consider as you build a chicken house. If you aren't sure how many chickens you plan to keep, it's a smart move to build slightly larger than you think you'll need, then if you do decide to add one or two more, you will have enough room.
The worst situation is when a chicken farmer builds the perfect size coop but then finds out he needs more chickens. Then you have to tare down the coop and rebuild parts of it or else add an extension onto the coop that's in place.
So be sure you're following these three tips as you build a chicken house. The process may seem quite intricate but by using a building plan that breaks it down into manageable steps, it really becomes something that you can easily handle over the course of a weekend.
"...If you are
considering keeping chickens in your back yard, you must read this
book. Whether you have a tiny courtyard or acres to play with, Keene's
advice will stand you in good stead and help you build the right
chicken coop. The focus of the book is on being well-prepared for your
flock before they even arrive. Keene ensures that you consider every
issue before you spend a cent on birds, feed or equipment. He discusses
which species is appropriate for your garden, what they should eat and,
as the title suggests, how you should house them. Anyone with basic
do-it-yourself tools and a patch of land could follow his instructions.
The drawings and diagrams are easy to interpret and the lists of
materials and tools needed are very helpful. Keene also appreciates
that the value of using recycled materials in your chicken coop - cheap
and environmentally friendly. Keene encourages responsible husbandry -
his reminder of tasks to be completed weekly, monthly and sixth monthly
should be replicated onto the calendar of any careful poultry keeper.
The level of detail is just right, from a list of the color of the egg
you might expect from you hen to a description of healthy hen's poop!
If you follow his tips, your happy hens will be very productive. Next
we need a cookbook for ideas to use up all the spare eggs 
