There are a wide variety of plans available right now that you may feel overwhelmed in choosing which one will be most appropriate for you. This isn’t surprising because of the fact that most people don’t understand the process of building a chicken coop, therefore to them all the plans may even look the same.  However they are not the same and if you’re not choosing the correct plan, the chances that you have succes with the building process will be much lower.

Here is what you need to know in order to choose the correct plan for you.

The first thing you’ll want to think about is the total number of chickens you plan to keep. The hen house plans you’re looking at should differentiate between small, medium, and large sized plans. Matching the correct size to the total number of chickens you want to keep will help make sure they’re happy in their surroundings are will be laying eggs properly. If you’re not sure exactly how big you should be building, always go larger than you think you’ll need.

The next thing to think about is to follow a specific blueprint plan. I highly recommend using plans that will give you a specific blueprint plan to follow. Having a good illustration before you set out with the building process will go a long way towards preventing screw-ups before they happen. Those individuals who are not careful with this and attempt to build without a plan will very likely run into some problems, so be sure you have a good drawing out in front of you first. You can also consider drawing up your own as well if that’s something you’d prefer doing. I got my blueprint from a chicken book I bought. It’s a very useful book, with lots of information. If you want to see that book, click here.

The third factor to think about before you dive right into the building process is the climate you are located in. If you’re getting a wide variety of weather patterns, you’re going to want to think a great deal harder about the amount and type of insulation you use in your chicken coop. It’s important that the plans you’re looking at identify methods that you can use to help maintain proper temperature over time because if it’s either too hot or too cold in the house there is a very high chance that you’re going to run into some problems.

Finally, consider whether or not you want to build a mobile chicken coop. These are increasingly popular among many people, especially those who also want to keep their chickens as pets as well. As I mentioned in the previous post, there are many advantages to a mobile coop so it is something you should give some consideration at least. By taking some time to look through various plans you can take a big step towards making sure you’re choosing one that best matches your own individual needs.

Click here to see the book that helped me build my own chicken pen.

One of the biggest benefits to a mobile chicken coop is the fact that they are easy to clean. Since you can just transport the coop closer to your house. Another big benefit is the fact that it’s cheaper to build. As they are generally smaller you can often use materials that you already have around the house.

One thing that is important to remember about mobile chicken houses is that you will be slightly limited when it comes to their total size. It’s not going to be able to house all that many chickens, so if you’re attempting to keep six or more, you may want to consider a larger, more permanent coop.

In most cases, mobile chicken pens will be relatively durable due to the fact that they need to be in order to sustain the constant movement. When they are not constructed properly however, then you might run into problems with their durability and find that you are repairing them more frequently than normal.

So if you’re looking for something with a little more structural integrity than you’ll likely be better off choosing a fixed chicken house since these will be built sturdier so that they are able to withstand wear and tear.

Click here to see the book that helped me build my own chicken coop.

Reason # 1 – Chickens love leftovers.
A chicken’s appetite is incredible. They can eat almost everything, even their own kind! You can now say bye-bye to those unwanted leftovers being left rotten in your fridge. You feel less guilty of throwing them out into the garbage can. Plus, you can save on chicken feed. But be very careful with what you give for it may be their last supper. Tone down on the onions and garlic.

Reason #2 – Eggs!
Who doesn’t love eggs? Have them boiled, scrambled, sunny side up, etc. Admit it, pets that live comfortably inside your houses don’t give anything more than barks, meows, purrs, and sometimes, chirp. Fishes, in general, can be eaten, but who would want to eat Goldie? None of these domesticated animals produce something edible. Well, chickens, on the other hand, have lots of benefits. One of the many benefits chickens give is their egg.

You can eat fresh eggs right from the source. Either raw (good for pregnant women) or cooked, eggs taken from chickens minutes or hours ago are more tasty and nutritious than those purchased in the grocery store. You’ll notice the texture and color is way different than that of the fresh ones.

Reason #3 – Source of natural fertilizers
Your lawn or backyard could’ve never looked better. Chickens love to freely walk around. Chickens also love to peck on anything they see that can be considered as food. And what is food to them? Possibly anything that’s organic. If you let your chickens roam around your space, you’ll find out how reliable they can be. They eat pests living in your backyard – grubs, beetles, insects, earwigs, and anything that comes close.

After the digestion has set its due, they will transform what they’ve eaten into poop. But this is not just any kind of poop but a treasure called natural fertilizer. And you know what natural fertilizers do right? They keep the soil healthy for plants to grow. Cool.

There is a clearly defined building pathway that should be followed. So by making sure you don’t overlook these, you’re going to put your best foot forward for building a chicken coop that stands the test of time.

Here are the big points you should cover.

Find A Good Space Of Land
Finding the right space to build your chicken coop on will be vitally important because it’s this that helps keep your coop maintaining itself over the years. You want a piece of land that has a slight elevation since this will also prevent the coop from becoming flooded later on if water starts accumulating during a heavy rainfall.

Choose and Appropriate Size and Type
Second, make sure you’re taking the time to choose a good size. Poultry house plans need to be specific about exact measurements when it comes to this. The last thing you want to do cram your chickens in too small of a space, so be sure you take the time to carefully get the precise measurements you need and draw a building plan out before you build.

Locate the Best Space For Your Windows
Third, keep in mind that the windows you’re building will have a very large influence on how healthy your chickens stay so that is also something that you must not overlook. Windows serve not only to light the place, but also act as a ventilation source.

Add The Chicken Run and Fence
Finally, build the chicken run and fence. Your chickens need to get out and get exercise on a regular basis, so having the run available will allow them to do that. The fence is also a vital component for protecting your chickens from predators, so again, something that you cannot do without.

By making sure you follow these steps to guide you, you’ll get the best result.

Click here to see the book that helped me build my chicken coop.

Many chicken farmers figure they are safe from this but they assume too quickly. Next thing they know they are suffering an attack and are really paying the price for not taking the time to build a chicken enclosure.

Here is what you need to know in order to build one properly.

#1. Build At The Right Height
The first thing you must make sure you’re doing as you build a chicken enclosure is building at the right height. Remember that there are a number of larger predators out there that can easily climb over a shorter fence, so if you live in an area that these are found in, you need to build taller.Go taller than you ever think you’d need too just to be safe. You have no idea how vicious some of these predators can be until they are right there attacking your chickens.

#2. Use Strong Enough Materials
Second to the height issue, also make sure you’re using strong enough building materials. If you aren’t, expect that to also cause problems. Many predators weigh a considerable amount so often all it will take is them coming at it with a decent speed to knock it over. In many cases, a solid wooden fence will be your best option.Build

#3. Deep Enough
When you build a chicken hutch, pay attention that you’re also going to be building it deep enough.  While some animals primarily will try and climb the chicken fence, others will choose to dig underneath. You must protect against this as well so be sure you build at least a foot into the ground if possible.  This will make a big difference over time in how well you stay protected.

#4. Get A Secure Door Closure
Finally, make sure you’re using a secure door closure. You would be shocked at the number of chicken farmers who put a great deal of time and effort into the process to build a poultry housing, but then put on an unsecured latch.You will be going in and out through this door on a regular basis and that constant motion can eventually cause it to become lose, making it an easy ‘in’ for any predators. You may even consider getting a lock for the latch if you’re really worried about predators, but this will be a unique and individual decision based on the area that you’re living in.

So, keep all of these points in mind as you build a chicken pen. This is one part of the process that you must not leave out – the health and life of your chickens depends on it.