Build A Chicken Coop
You need to know how to build a chicken coop if you are thinking of raising chickens. The chickens basically need a shelter to protect them from unpleasant weather conditions and also from predators that pose a threat to their existence.
A safe and warm area is needed for the chickens to be healthy and productive. The first step in learning how to build a chicken coop is to decide on the size of the coop. The common rule is to allow a space of four to five square feet for a single bird.
For instance, if you have five chickens the space should be 5 x 5 sq ft. The height of the coop should be sufficient for you to stand upright comfortably while you are inside the coop for purposes like caring for the chicks or collecting the eggs.
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Ventilation of the chicken coop is another important point to consider while you learn how to build a chicken coop. In case of a closed coop, windows should be planned with screens and doors that can be closed from inside. Lighting is another feature that has to be done appropriately.
Heat lamps placed inside coops keep the chicks warm during winter and moreover, the chicks will start to lay eggs all round the year mistaking the lights for a warm season.
Some of the materials that are typically used while building a coop include 2” x 4” lumber for the frames, 4” x 4” posts to support the coop and sheets made of plywood for the floors, roof and walls. For the nesting boxes you can have 1” x 12” boards and 1” x 4” boards.
In the case of perches 2” x 3” round dowel rods made of wood can be used. Wires may be used on small holes to keep the chicks from escaping or to prevent any outside intrusion. Cement will be needed for fixing the posts and for the floors if you do not want plywood floors. You will also need screen doors and windows for entryway and ventilation.
While you learn how to build a chicken coop, other than the main materials specified above you will require a host of tools and hardware like nails, metal joists, electrical wire and outlets, hatches and hinges for the doors and windows and staples. Tools like hammer, staple gun, saw, shovel, measuring tape, post hole-digger, saw horses and wire cutters.
If you are not comfortable with construction work then learning how to build a chicken coop may take a longer time, otherwise the project can be done in just a weekend’s time.
