Building Chicken Coops Quickly & Easily ~ Free Design Download
Before starting to build the coop, you need to make sure the land you want to build on is level and landscaped properly. You have two options here, you can either landscape an area of land that you really want to build the chicken coop on or you can look for a piece of land that will already work well to build on without having to landscape at all.
The latter option is going to be cheaper than the former, but again this will come down to your personal preference. By doing this first though, you’ll build a chicken coop that lasts for a longer period of time since it’ll have a more sturdy foundation that you built it upon.
Also, having the coop within a close distance (eye’s range is even better) will help you keep a closer eye on your chickens and ensure they are safe.
Having The Right Base Structure
You want to make sure you have the right structural base. You’ll need the right types of materials and choosing to forgo and opt for very cheap building materials here could come back to haunt you in the long run. There are still definitely cheap options that you can certainly consider and that will work well, but there still are limits. Knowing which cost-effective materials stand the test of time will help.
What’s The Right Size?
The biggest mistake you can make is trying to cram too many chickens into your coop. Because each chicken requires so much area to feel comfortable and lay eggs properly, you’ll really want to make sure you’re choosing your size wisely.
Chickens need space to move around for exercise, and should not be cramped too close together. Plan for 4 square feet per chicken inside the coop and on the roosting area. Also plan for 10 square feet per chicken in an outdoor run. If you have less space, limit your chickens. They will produce more eggs and you will see the benefits.
This maybe one of the most important things to consider when starting your project.
Choosing Your Building Materials
Lots of people think you need to buy expensive materials to successfully build a chicken coop, however this is not the case at all. Chicken coops can be made from a variety of different materials including such things as an old shed, scrap lumber, PVC pipes, 50 gallon barrels, or other recycled materials you may have around the house already.
Usually wood is the most common material used to build the chicken coop however it’s also the priciest, so you’ll have to weight the pros versus the cons. If you want your chicken coop to last for years and years to come, it may be a good idea to invest in a wooden coop to ensure that it does withstand various climate changes.
Keep in mind with this though that wood varieties will also vary in price and that will influence your decision, so looking at the different types of wood is also important.
If you are thinking about just building a smaller coop, you might even be able to get away with using recycled timber instead. Asking around for scrap pieces of wood can also be one way to locate some materials to use, but bear in mind if you’re going to go this route there is a higher chance you’ll have to pull some nails and may wind up with a chicken coop that isn’t exactly matching. If you’re really looking for the absolute most cost effective method though, then it’s likely something that you will want to think about and consider.
Many times you can save over half the price of the coop just by looking carefully for building materials that will meet your needs effectively.
So, before you rush out to buy whatever you think you need for building supplies, give some careful consideration to this first. It’s important that you have a firm understanding about building materials for your chicken house before you even get going. In some cases it can get hard to start with a certain type of material and then switch over halfway through, even between the different types of woods, therefore getting it all figured out before you begin will be your best bet.
Incoming search terms for the article:
- chicken coop building plans ()
- how to build a chicken coop free plans ()
- hoop coops ()
- chicken coops ()
- movable chicken coops ()