subject: 4 Common Questions about Chicken Coop Plans [print this page] 4 Common Questions about Chicken Coop Plans
When you are thinking about the style of chicken coop you are looking for and what kind of coop that will fit your needs. Be an open minded and creative chicken ranch thinker. A great place to start a search for what you want is the internet. Check the Google search engine and type in chicken coop plans, hen ark plans, or building a chicken coop. You will get a lot of sites to choose your plans from. If you are the more traditional type and you like book stores, most stores have a crafts or do it yourself section you can find some ideas. Right now, most likely, you have more questions than answers. So here are answers to some commonly asked questions.
When is the right time to build a chicken coop?
The quick answer is when the weather is favorable. Where ever you live in the country the weather is different and you need to keep the seasons in mind. Warm weather is the most favorable for you and your chickens.
Where can I build my coop?
When you are planning on building a chicken coop you should check with your city planning department to verify you neighborhoods zoning. If that is not a problem, then you want to think about available space in your property and where would it make the most sense to build. For convenience and safety, most people build close to a garage or storage shed to keep supplies like feed, hay, straw, rakes, and water hoses nearby. Keeping your coop in eye sight is also a good idea for protection if you have predators in your area who like chickens or eggs.
How many chickens should be in a coop?
The standard outdoor open air type formula is 2 square feet of area per chicken. A 10ft.x10ft.x5ft high coop could house 25 chickens very comfortably. Chickens need an area to stretch, hunt, and peck at the ground for food. A place to lay their eggs that is comfortable with some hay or straw. A 10' x 10' might be a big coop for some or a small coop for others. This size is only an example but would be below the maximum and you could still have great egg production.
Who should be involved in your plans?
Personally I think the more the merry. Everyone is different so it's a personal choice. If you are planning to raise chickens as a family pet project, I would think the whole family would want to give their ideas on what the plans should include.
If the project is for a professional purpose I'm sure you will want to involve some professionals. Insight to complete plans from a professional will get the most out of your money, space, and time, which is so critical. To put it simply, the experience of raising chickens is very valuable in putting together a good set of chicken coop plans.
