subject: DIY Chicken Coop Plans [print this page] Nowadays people are deciding to build chicken coops themselves instead of forking out thousands of dollars for someone else to do it. One of the biggest advantages to building your own coop is that you can make it look however you want. If you buy a chicken coop from a store chances are that it's going to come in a box and you'll have to assemble it anyway, so save yourself the trouble and just do it yourself.
The biggest obstacle in designing your own chicken coop is size, how many chickens are you planning on housing? To have a harmonious and successful coop you need to have adequate space per bird, a good rule of thumb is to have 4 square feet per bird. This gives them the freedom they need to move around and they won't get stressed out, chickens that become stressed won't lay eggs.
Air quality is another issue, keeping chickens in an enclosed space with no air vents is not only hard on your nostrils it's dangerous for the chickens. Keep lots of open space and good ventilation so fresh, clean air can constantly flow. Also, you want to make sure your chickens stay cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.
People build chicken coops themselves because they want the job done right, if you know that you are ready for a chicken coop all you need is a little help to get started and you'll be on your way. Having a chicken coop can be a fun, and wise investment for the whole family!
