subject: Building Chicken Coops - 5 Things to Consider [print this page] The planning stage for building chicken coops is as important as the building itself. While planning your structure keep in mind:
The number of chickens you plan to keep
Safety from predators
Building materials that are hazardous to chickens
Mobility
Convenient cleaning and egg gathering
The Number and Size of Chickens
Chickens come in 3 basic sizes. The larger the adult chicken, the more space it requires. A standard size chicken needs 4 feet of space. Average weight is 5-8 pounds at adulthood. A bantam variety weighs 3-4 pounds, and then there are the Giant varieties which can weigh up to 14 pounds. So a small flock of 3 standard size chickens need 12 feet of space. This same space can house 6 bantams, or 2 giants.
Overcrowding results in fighting and injuries, illness from an abundance of waste, stressed hens that won't lay eggs, and generally unhappy chickens. Some chicken owners prefer to have several smaller enclosures instead of one large one. This allows the cages to be moved to fresh ground regularly, and allows for breeding variety.
Safety from Predators
Predators include skunks, opossum, raccoons, rats, and your neighbor's dog. They can all gnaw or tear through chicken wire. Raccoons, especially, are not deterred by such things as a simple slide bolt. To keep them out of the hen house you will need to use hasp and padlock combinations.
Wire that is a stronger gauge should be used on the sides of the chicken run area. It has to stand up to wildlife that would like your chickens for a midnight snack. You can use chicken wire on the bottom of the run to keep animals from digging under the side to get in. You can also bend the wire out in an "L" shape from the sides, and cover it with dirt. This will discourage diggers quickly.
Hazardous Building Materials
When building chicken coops, remember that any poisons your chickens come into contact with will not only make them sick, it can contaminate the eggs they lay. Lumber that has been treated to withstand rot and termites contains arsenic. It cannot be used for animal housing.
Also, be careful that any paint you use does not contain lead.
Mobility
If you use small cages that are relatively light weight you can move them around your property. This way, the chickens have fresh areas for foraging every day while still caged and safe. This type of cage is often called a tractor. Many people add wheels to one end and move them like a wheelbarrow.
Convenience
Plan doors and openings that are large enough and in the best places for collecting eggs and cleaning out the old straw.
Keeping the area as clean as possible will keep it from smelling and will also keep your chickens healthy. A smelly environment will attract more predators.
Place a fake egg in each nest to help remind the hens where you want them to lay. This will keep you from having to collect eggs that are scattered throughout the hen house.
