subject: Elements Of Good Chicken Coop Plans [print this page] For most people who are just starting to raise chickens, the most crucial factor to consider is where to house the chickens. A chicken coop is a small structure in which chickens are housed which is designed to protect chickens from predators as well as extreme weather conditions. Thus, when raising chickens, it is important to have good chicken coop plans to ensure that they not only have a place for shelter but they are protected as well.
Chicken coop plans need to have the important elements in order to raise chickens successfully. Regardless if you are just about to start building your coop or have an existing shed, you should consider the elements that are needed for the chickens to survive. The following are the most important elements that should be included in the design.
- Provide protection from weather - Efficient chicken coop plans should be able to protect chickens from extreme weather conditions such as snow, rain, wind, and extreme heat. This is because chickens are sensitive to these types of weather condition. Chickens need dry roofs and floors. If your area has cold winters, your enclosure should have insulators to keep the chicken warm.
- Provide protection from predators - It is inevitable that chickens are tasty, which make them interesting and appealing to predators. Thus, chicken coop plans should be able to protect them from other animals such as dogs, cats, foxes, weasels, raccoons, and hawks among others. The design should include secured doors and windows especially during the night when most predators usually attack.
- Provide ventilation for the chickens - Chicken coop plans should include sufficient ventilation for the chickens. The enclosure should have open windows so that fresh air can enter. It is advisable to have holes drilled in the roofline area so that hot air can also escape.
- Provide perches for the chickens - Naturally, chickens need to sleep. More so, they need to have perches where they can roost while asleep. Thus, chicken coop plans should include two or more perches in the same levels so that the chickens would not fight over prime spots. A ladder for the perch should also be considered because chickens are not good in flying.
- Provide nesting boxes - It is also advisable to consider including nesting boxes in your chicken coop plans. Nesting boxes should be made in sizes according to the type of breeds that you have or own. A nesting box should be provided for 3 to 4 chickens. More so, nesting boxes should include layers of bedding material so that the eggs can hatch without breaking. If you are making nesting boxes above the level of the floor, make sure a support such as a piece of wood is placed at the bottom to keep the eggs from breaking or rolling out of the nesting boxes.
Apart from these elements, you should make sure that the structures are sustainable. They should be easy to clean to keep the chickens healthy.
