So, you’ve decided to create a coop for your yard — congratulations! But now you’re probably thinking, “Where do I even start to build? What materials do I need? what percentage chickens am i able to put inside?” Simpson Strong-Tie has partnered with the backyard chicken experts at Chickens and More to answer these questions and lots of more.
Building a coop doesn’t need to be an intimidating or impossible project. As long as you’ve got some basic woodworking skills (or a willingness to find out them), space, time, and determination, we’ll guide you thru the rest.
1. Decide how many chickens you want
chickens are flock-oriented birds and wish to be housed during a group. Thus, you ought to start with no fewer than 3 chickens. If you’ve got never kept chickens before, you ought to start smaller, with 3–4. If you’ve got some experience and a bigger family who will undergo more eggs, 5–6 hens would be ideal for you.
chickens are flock-oriented birds and wish to be housed during a group. Thus, you ought to start with no fewer than 3 chickens. If you’ve got never kept chickens before, you ought to start smaller, with 3–4. If you’ve got some experience and a bigger family who will undergo more eggs, 5–6 hens would be ideal for you.
2. Movable Or Stationary?
Cons
It are often difficult to figure during a movable coop just because they’re too low to the bottom .
Also if you reside in a neighborhood with high winds you’ll got to believe whether or not it’ll delay to those winds.
You don’t want your chickens getting blown away!
Pros
With a movable coop you don’t need to worry about all the effort of bedding. No got to clean it out and obtain fresh straw…simply move the coop to a replacement spot of grass. Easy!
DIY inspiration Backyard Chicken Coop Plans
3. Figure out how big the coop needs to be
The size of your coop will depend upon how big the outdoor area is for the chickens, and whether or not they are going to be partially free-range. If they need many yard to roam about year-round, the coop should be about 2–3 square feet per bird, at a minimum.
If you’ve got cold winters or are limited with the dimensions of the run you’ll give the birds, you’ll need more room inside the coop — about 5–10 square feet per bird.
chicken coop domesticate bantams
Domesticated bantam chickens seen during a large, rural garden during springtime.
The size of your birds also will influence what proportion space they have . Bantams, for instance , won’t need the maximum amount space as standard hens. Jersey Giants, on the opposite hand, will need far more room to maneuver around.
Remember, bigger is best when it involves housing. Cramped birds are unhappy birds, and lack of space can contribute to an entire host of problems, including bullying-related injuries, illness, parasites, and laying issues.
4. Roosting
We have about 50 birds immediately , with plans of expanding some within the future. in order that may be a little bit of roosting.
Plan about 12” of space per bird, with 18” between roosts. And once you design your coop confirm that the chickens roosting aren’t stacked on top of every other.
You don’t want them pooping on one another while they’re sleeping. that’s not sanitary, or healthy for the chickens.
Note: Our first a-frame coop dose have them stacked. that’s how the plans were for that coop. If you’ll though, the roosting should not be stacked.
5. Believe Design Features
The most important function of a coop is security. you would like to understand that your chickens are going to be safe from predators like foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and dogs. The coop should even be rat-proof, to assist within the prevention of disease.
white silkie coop
A white silkie chicken behind net and safe from predators.
Chickens, like most birds, wish to perch in the dark . they’re going to require roosts which ideally, are going to be square and have rounded edges. These will generally be 1.5–3 feet off the bottom , counting on the breed and size of chicken you’ve got . Leg injuries are common in chickens whose perches are too high and have an extended jump to urge right down to the ground .
Nesting boxes also are essential, for the chickens to lie in and lay their eggs. Generally, you’ll need one nesting box for each 4 hens.
The coop has got to be insulated, especially if you reside somewhere with cold winters, and weatherproof, to make sure the chickens stay warm and dry in the least times.
summary
Constructing a homemade coop doesn’t got to be a frightening challenge! Just make certain to follow these five steps, and you’ll have your backyard poultry farm up and running in no time!
Have you built your own chicken coop? How did it turn out? allow us to know within the comments section below!
If you’re seeking DIY inspiration, make certain to see out the entire selection Do-It-Yourself plans.
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