The first thing to determine is how many hens and hens will this coop house? The most common mistake is building a coop too small. The rule of thumb is basically that there should be 4 square feet per bird. So if you anticipate having 4 birds you should have a coop approximately 4' x 4'. Some say it can possibly be smaller yet for healthy chickens and the very best eggs, building a bigger coop is better if you have the room.
The other thing to consider in relation to the size and design when making your chicken coop is your own access! You will want very easy access to clean, collect eggs, feed, and water.
Since you have the size of the chicken coop, where are you going to put it? You can not simply build a chicken coop wherever you have room. Your chicken coop should remain in an elevated place to avoid puddling or flooding caused by rain or even cleaning. One hint on this matter could be to build your chicken coop with a very slight slant in the floor as well as the roof for proper drainage. No one likes to cope with a damp, cranky chicken!
You want to build a chicken coop where the windows face the south. Yes, when you construct your chicken coop, you need windows for proper ventilation. With the windows of your coop facing south, it will allow for cooling ventilation in the summers and will help to keep warmth in during the winters. Depending on the climate where you are building your chicken coop, you may want to use slider windows in a cooler climate. For a warmer climate, you may have the ability to get away with using wire netting, chicken wire, mesh, etc
. Since your chickens will be sheltered from the elements inside the chicken coop you have built, it is very important to protect them from predators. You should give the chickens ample room to move but you must create a perimeter around your coop with chicken wire fencing that is submerged into the ground 12 inches and above ground about 4 feet high. This will maintain other animals from burrowing underneath or getting over the fence. A couple of chicken coops are built with wire over the top of the fencing at the same time to protect from hawks or owls. These procedures will not only deal with the chickens safety but also from diseases spread by other animals.
There you have it design a chicken coop and can start enjoying bountiful fresh eggs and experience the rewards of raising chickens in your very own backyard!
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