subject: Build A Chicken Coop: 3 Essential Elements That You Must Provide [print this page] Building your own chicken coop is a wonderful way to save money and ensure that you are getting the ideal coop for you and your birds, as it gives you the flexibility to personalize a chicken coop's blueprints to cater to your individual circumstances.
When looking for chicken house plans, you will find numerous designs and types of coop. Most plans for chicken coops will include a step-by-step guide to make building your chicken house as easy as possible. However, the three factors listed below are fundamental things that can be overlooked by first-time chicken owners.
1.Predator Proofing
It is easy to forget that chickens prove very attractive to some predators, such as foxes, coyotes, skunks, raccoons and fisher cats. To make sure that your flock is safe, you need to ensure that your chicken run has a roof, as many predators will climb fences. In addition, many predators, especially foxes, will dig under the chicken run and coop. To guard against this, you will need to dig approximately 3ft outwards from the edge of the coop and chicken run, placing wire in the section that you have cleared around the perimeter of your chickens' enclosure (this can, of course, be covered with soil and turf once the wire is laid).
2.Lots of Light
It is always wise to bear in mind that chickens require lots of natural light for good health and a happy disposition. Ideally, chickens should have approximately 14hrs of light per day. Of course, it is best if this is made possible with the freedom of a chicken run. However, if you have no room for a chicken run, or are yet to build a predator proof run, you should ensure that lots of natural light is available within your birds' coop.
3.The Right Location
You can spend hours trying to find the right chicken coop plan, only to build it in the wrong place. So, before picking up your tools, ensure that you have the perfect location for your chicken coop. Things to bear in mind when finding the right position for a chicken house include, shelter from strong winds, easy for you to access, on elevated ground to guard against flooding and, for safety, you may like to place your coop as close to your house as possible.
With these things in mind, you can ensure that your chickens are happy and healthy in their new home
