Chicken coops plans

Decide on what type of hen house to have and draw up plans for it. The hen house should be centrally located either in the middle of the pen or along one of the fences. There can be pop doors on each side to allow the chickens access to different yards if there are more than one. There are many good plans for chicken houses in books and on the web. They range from simple open-fronted, lean-to, sheds to fully framed houses with doors and windows. Climate, flock size, room available, costs, and building abilities, all need to be considered, before deciding on a poultry house. Draw out a plan for the house, remembering to include nest boxes, roosts, and accesses such as doors and windows. Plan for how the house will be cleaned out each year and have doorways wide enough for wheelbarrows to fit through. Make a list of materials that will be needed. Don’t use any fiber or paste board, because they will disintegrate due to moisture. Vinyl siding is a good building material because it can be washed down and won’t rot. Metal is a good roof choice, but metal walls will rust quickly around manure. In deciding where to locate the house consider prevailing winds, available room, shade, and sun. Decide on the type of floor the chicken house will have, plain dirt, off grade wooden, or poured concrete. The walls of a framed house will need at least cinder blocks for a foundation. In colder climates, hollow walls that are insulated may be needed, but be aware they are a haven for rodents. Chicken Houses that are off grade will have to have wire around the bottom so the chickens can’t get under them to hide eggs and undermine the foundation. Like hollow walls, floors that are off grade can become a nesting area for rodents.