| As you probably know, a chicken coop is an essential | | | | When attempting to build a backyard chicken coop, |
| part of raising backyard chickens. | | | | do not go at it with a concept in your head. This can |
| It will provide your flock with warm shelter and a | | | | lead to disaster. Make sure you sketch out your coop |
| safe place to eat and sleep. However,not many of us | | | | on paper, even if you're not an artist, and cover |
| want to invest in a pre-made chicken coop for many | | | | every angle including a top view of the roof and a |
| reasons such as:inflated cost and the hassle of | | | | sketch of the inside. If this is your first time building a |
| delivery or bringing it home. Therefore, I have | | | | backyard chicken coop, you shouldn't go for an |
| writtenthis article to help you build a backyard | | | | architectural masterpiece, but rather start out with a |
| chicken coop fast and easy. If you follow these 5 | | | | simple chicken coop first just big enough for your |
| easy steps, youwill be able to construct a strong and | | | | flock and as you gain experience, then go for |
| durable backyard chicken coop that will provide | | | | something of a greater scale. |
| excellent shelter for your chickens and keep them | | | | Step 4: Gather all your Materials. |
| safe from predators. | | | | Before you build a backyard chicken coop, make an |
| Step 1: Plan Ahead of Time. | | | | effort to collect all the materials you will need so that |
| If you want to build a backyard chicken coop with | | | | you won't have to take unexpected trips to and |
| the least amounts of setbacks, you must PLAN | | | | from the hardware or lumber store. A good example |
| ahead of time. Some things to think about before | | | | of materials you will need are: wood (2 x 4), |
| beginning your construction are: How many chickens | | | | concrete cinder blocks, chicken wire or fence wire, |
| will inhabit the coop?, What size are the chickens, | | | | insulation strips, and ofcourse nails, screws, saw and |
| large standards or bantams? How many nests will | | | | hammer. While these are your most common |
| you provide the hens with? How many feeders and | | | | materials, only youwill know exactly what you need |
| waterers will you have available? How many windows | | | | when you complete steps 1 and 3 and actually plan |
| will your chicken coop require to give enough sunlight | | | | ahead of time and sketch out your coop design from |
| to your flock? Will you be constructing a chicken run | | | | every angle. |
| with easy access into and out of the coop? You see, | | | | Step 5: Build it. |
| there are various questions that need to be | | | | It is now time to build a backyard chicken coop. You |
| answered before you build a backyard chicken coop | | | | have done all your planning ahead of time. You have |
| because you may find out too late that the coop | | | | chosen a terrain convenient to maneuver around with |
| you built was not sufficient enough to keep your | | | | excellent sunlight and free from predators. You have |
| chickens happy and safe. | | | | sketched out your chicken coop design on paper and |
| Step 2: Choose your Terrain. | | | | you have gathered all your materials. Now all you |
| Once you have answered all your pre-building | | | | have to do is put it together. |
| questions, the next step is to choose a terrain where | | | | Some things to remember: Provide plenty of |
| youwill build a backyard chicken coop in. It is very | | | | ventilation through screened windows, bury your |
| important that you choose an area that is wide | | | | outside chicken wire along the coop's borders about |
| enough for your coop to fit with plenty of space | | | | a foot deep to prevent predators from digging in, |
| around it for a chicken run or for you to maneuver | | | | and if you live in cold climates, make sure to properly |
| around. You do not want to build a coop where you | | | | insulate the roof and insides of the coop. |
| do not have easy access around its perimeter. Try | | | | I hope these 5 steps will help you build a backyard |
| to choose a terrain where it receives direct sunlight | | | | chicken coop with greater ease and success. |
| and far from heavy bushes or weeds where snakes, | | | | However, these are only a few guidelines and there |
| rodents, and other predators may reside in. | | | | is so much more information you should learn before |
| Step 3: Sketch out your Design on Paper. | | | | you actually build a backyard chicken coop. |