How To Build A Coop That Will Last

Now that we’ve covered the types of chicken coops you can build and the different building supplies that you should think about, it’s time to look at what you should be doing in order to maintain the structural integrity of your chicken coop.

One problem that many people do run into is that they build their chicken coop and do a decent job at it, but the only problem is that the way they have built it does not stand up over the long run. 

 Gaining a better understanding of the construction process and exactly what’s needed to build a coop that lasts and will ensure that the money you spend is worth it.

 Proper Landscaping

 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.

Spend Money On The Base Structure

Next, one area that you will want to invest a little more on is the structural base.  In the building plans in the book you’ll see exactly what types of materials are going to be best for this so it makes the decision easy.

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.

 Make Good Use of Windows

 Windows are a critical element within the chicken coop because they are going to allow for enough light so your chickens continue to lay eggs as they should.  When they are not getting enough light, that’s when you’re more likely to run into problems, so making use of windows in the coop not only helps ensure the chickens stay happy over the long haul, but can also reduce your building costs if you’re using proper materials.

It’s important that you consider the structural design with the windows though because placing them in the wrong position on the coop could cause the walls to be less sturdy, so again, having a proper plan to guide you is critical.

 Choose Your Feeders Wisely

 Finally, you should choose your feeder position wisely.  When the feeders are at an incorrect height level the chickens will either not be able to get to their food comfortably, or they may start to scatter the food all around the floor.

When that happens they’re bound to start picking at the floor and potentially other areas of the house, which could lead to damage over time.

By taking the time to properly plan your chicken coop so it lasts over the years you will prevent yourself from having to spend more money down the road fixing up issues that you come into.

Next up we will look at how to protect your chickens, so that’s one newsletter you don’t want to miss.  Considering a predator could easily take out your entire coop it’s something you must protect yourself from.

Keeping Your Costs Down

Hopefully you’ve been doing well!  If you recall last time we discussed the different factors you should think about when trying to determine the type of chicken coop you want to build.  This is important because before you go ahead with the building process you will want to be sure you’re getting some key factors right so you build what is required to meet your needs.

Today I’d like to talk a little more specifically about the building materials for your chicken coop.  This is going to make a big impact on how much money you spend on the chicken coop in total so understanding the different types of materials will be vital to making an informed decision.

We’ll go over this in much greater detail in Building A Chicken Coop, but here is some of the basics to get you started.

Many individuals do have a tendency to think you need a lot of 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.

Next time, we’ll take a closer look at what you can do to make sure you’re building a chicken coop that will last for years to come, so make sure you pay attention to that one so the money you do invest, endures the test of time.

Choosing What Type of Coop You Require

Probably one of the decisions you’re struggling with right now at this point is determining which type of chicken coop you need.  There are a variety of different chicken coops that you can build, but understanding which one is going to best fit your needs is important for getting optimal results.   If you spend the money on a chicken house, it only makes sense that it needs to match your individual needs, so getting started on the right foot is important.

There are some main factors that you should take into consideration before deciding what type of coop to build.  The following guidelines will lead you down the right path to choosing wisely and being fully satisfied with your new chicken coop once it’s built.

Size

Possibly one of the most important factors that will need to be looked at is the size of chicken coop you want to build.  There’s small, medium, and large plans for the chicken coops, each which accommodates a certain number of chickens.  

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.

It’s always better to error on the size of being too big than being too small, plus then you can always add more birds to the chicken coop if you want later on.

Portable Versus Fixed

The next question you should ask yourself is whether you want your chicken coop to be portable or if you preferred one that’s fixed instead.  Portable chicken coops give you the advantage of being able to move it around to wherever you are, so if you’re someone who likes to keep the chickens as pets, this makes for a very attractive option.

Also, having a mobile chicken coop allows for easier maintenance since you can simply move the chicken coop to wherever you need to clean it.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something with a little more structural integrity than you’ll likely be better off choosing a fixed chicken house since these will be built sturdier so that they are able to withstand wear and tear.

Protection

Factor in protection from predators as you make your decision what type of chicken coop to make as well.  Ideally you should have a very solid fencing system to keep all varieties of predators out.  This will have to be built to match the size of the coop you’re building as well.

Appearance

Finally, think about the overall appearance of what you want your chicken coop to look like. There are a number of different ways you can build the chicken coop which will impact the overall design of the chicken coop.  This will also likely influence the cost of the building process, so it’s something to think about and work within your budget.

There are definitely cheaper methods to build your chicken coop so understanding the different things that will influence the cost is the first step to making a smart decision.

So, be sure you’re factoring these points in as you decide which type of chicken coop you wish to build.  Getting the information up front before you start to build will help save you hundreds of dollars over the long run.

Building a Chicken Coop: Reviews

Recommended Plans for Building a Chicken Coop

With so many options available it is easy to get overwhelmed and confused about which is the best route to go when building a chicken coop. Let me just say though, that building your own is without a doubt the best way to go. Do not spend money on a premade chicken coop!!

There are many downloadable designs to choose from, and most are geared toward the beginner so you do not even need any carpentry experience to create the exact chicken coop you need. Building a chicken coop yourself will save you at least 50% of the price of one already built, and you can customize it anyway you want. Here are some of the chicken coop plans available for download, and a quick review of each one.

How to Build a Chicken Coop	Best Overall. This ebook is the most popular chicken coop plan on the market today. It contains professional, comprehensive information about planning, design, and even preparing the ground for your coop.	$29.95 Includes lots of bonuses! Plus a 60 day money back guarantee.
Easy DIY Chicken Coop Plans	Easiest. Designed for beginners and presents a simple plan that will get you started.	$4.97 for 21 day trial. See offer for details.
How to Build a Chicken Coop in 3 Days	Quickest. Designed to get you up and running in only 3 days, and you can choose between a bonus of 50 additional designs or a chicken-raising handbook.	$37 for basic package. $97 for the whole shebang.

These are the top 3 most helpful plans for building a chicken coop that I have found available for download. All are reasonably priced, and often offer bonuses and membership to forums and online communities. Please don't waste your money on a chicken coop when you can build one yourself and be assured of its stability and durability. Any one of these plans will save you between 50 to 70% so it just makes sense to do it yourself.

Building a Chicken Coop: Design

Once you have mapped out where you want your chicken coop to go, you will want to begin designing the actual building. Keeping chickens has become increasingly popular in the united states, which has spawned many different ideas about the best way to go about building a chicken coop.

One ideas is to keep the chickens out in the open as much as possible. The design that accomplishes this is the chicken tractor. A chicken tractor is a small (housing only 2 or 3 hens) A-frame structure with no floor that is sided with chicken wire. A small enclosure is built into one end with plywood and contains nesting boxes.

The advantage to this type of chicken coop is that it can be easily dragged from area to area to provide the chickens with new food and terrain. This also ensures that the vegetation in each area is cropped, tilled, and fertilised in a regular rotation ensuring a healthy growth. This is where the name "chicken tractor" comes from since they essentially perform the work of a tractor without the actual machine.

The downside of building a chicken coop like this is that the chickens have little or no protection from the elements, and in heavy winds the contraption must be staked down to prevent it blowing over.

Another idea for building a chicken coop is to have an actual structure with built-in ventilation like windows, and nesting shelves set along the walls. This keeps the chickens away from rough weather, and you should put a door in that opens onto a fenced run so that the chickens are not always kept inside. This type of structure is not mobile, and usually has a floor strewn with straw or other disposable material to absorb waste. You can keep as many chickens in this type of coop as you have space for.

While this structure will protect your chickens from the elements and predators better than an open air coop, it has its disadvantages as well. The chickens will not be able to find a continual renewed food source, so you must be able to feed them well. Also, a coop like this must be cleaned regularly and kept well-aired. However, if you choose to build a stationary coop, you can use it for another purpose if you ever stop raising chickens, so it will serve long-term.

There are other ready-made chicken coops available that resemble the chicken tractor and are able to be moved about, but they are usually just for one or two chickens. They are made of tent-like material and will not withstand inclement weather. However, they are very compact and tidy, and make keeping just a few chickens easy and affordable.

With whatever design you decide to go with, make sure that there is plenty of ventilation, and that you have put fencing around the whole area you intend to keep the chickens in order to keep out maurading predators as well as to discourage escaping chickens. And, as always, make certain you have plenty of fresh water on hand.

Building a Chicken Coop: Planning

Raising your own chickens can be a very rewarding experience while also helping out with your grocery bill. More and more people are looking for ways to cut living expenses as well as decrease their environmental footprint, and building a chicken coop and/or planting a garden is one of the best ways to begin. However, a little planning is necessary in order to get the most out of your chickens, and to ensure their health and contentment.

The first thing you will need to consider is the area that you live in. If you have a large yard but are in a suburban or urban area, you need to find out what your city or county regulations are for privately owned livestock. Many cities allow a certain number of livestock per household, but have bans on some species (usually larger animals like cows). If you live in a development or gated community, there are usually also further restrictions on the number and type of livestock you may own.

Once you are clear with the rules and regulations of your area, you will need to map out the space you will be building a chicken coop on. To do this you need to decide how many chickens you will want to have. Most people select 2 to 3 laying hens for starters, and then go from there. Each hen will need about 9 square feet of living space, so if you want to have room for a total of say, 5 hens, you will need to plan accordingly.

Make sure the space in which you are planning on building a chicken coop has easy access to fresh water. This is especially important if you are intending to build a movable one since you may not be able to use your hose after you move it. A chicken coop can be transferred from place to place, and certainly should be if you are concerned about the quality of grass underneath the coop, but there must always be access to clean water.

Planning is essential when building a chicken coop, and while it is a worthwhile and rewarding exercise, you certainly need to keep a few things in mind. Check your local regulations regarding livestock, plan your chicken coop according to the maximum number of chickens you want to keep, and whether you decide to build a mobile or stationary one, make sure fresh water is at hand. I hope this helps a bit with your planning process, and thanks for reading!