To keep chickens, you must maintain a quality chicken coop. Even if you live near a city, predators lurk around every corner, waiting to snatch your chickens and their eggs. Before you get started, find out what you need to know about building a chicken coop.
Give Chickens Space to Run
When you build your chicken coop, make sure you allow plenty of space for your chickens to run around. Chickens love to run, and they also love fresh air and the sun. You should allow two to three square feet of space per bird to avoid cramping your coop. Overcrowding can lead to fights and disease.
Raise Your Chicken Coop Off the Ground
Chickens sleep in coops because they don’t like to sleep on the ground. They enjoy roosting or nesting boxes, and they sleep best when they feel protected from predators. The most important thing to keep in mind when you’re building your chicken coop is to keep it off the ground. Raise your coop at least 8 to 12 inches to avoid dry rot from water damage. Raising your coop will also make it easier to clean and maintain.
Designing Your Own Chicken Coop
Whether you use your own design or a pre-planned one, you should use tools and materials that will keep your coop standing sturdily. From the roof and siding to the flooring, you should use high-quality, weather-proof wood or composite.
All chicken coops should have fences around them. You should make sure your fence is tall and secure. Good fencing staples are important when you’re attaching mesh wire to any post. Additionally, you’ll want to dig a trench to bury about a foot of your mesh wire, which will prevent predators from digging beneath the fence. The most common predators that break into chicken coops include:
- Racoons
- Foxes
- Coyotes
- Skunks
- Opossums
- Dogs
- Rodents
- Wolves
- Snakes
What you need to know about building a chicken coop is that anyone can do it with the right plan in hand. Owning chickens is easier said than done, but once you get started, it’s a rewarding experience. The benefits of owning chickens include saving money and making memories.
