subject: Chicken Coop Design – 4 Tips to Consider [print this page] You decided on keeping chickens, and you must now consider chicken housing. When planning your chicken coop design there are several factors to consider. The first one is the size and amount of chickens you are going to keep. Whether they are small bantams, standards, or Jersey Giants, each will need adequate space.
Size
Bantams need at least 2 square feet per chicken. Standard size chickens such as Cochins need at least 4 square feet per bird, and the giant varieties need twice that. This translates as 3 standard chickens X 4 square feet = 12 square feet of space.
Safety Factors
Beware of using treated wood in your structure. To keep wood for outdoor use from rotting, it is treated with arsenic, a poison that can harm your chicken and get into the eggs they lay.
Many predators can tear through chicken wire. Be sure to use a heavier gauge wire mesh for the sides of your chicken run. You will also need to adjust your chicken coop design so that predators can't get in by digging under the fencing. Chicken wire works well for this part. It allows chickens to be on the grass while keeping predators out.
Raccoons are especially crafty when it comes to break-ins. If you have raccoons in your area you may want to secure everything with padlocks. Simple slide bars won't keep them out.
Environment
The henhouse part of your coop should be water tight and provide warmth when it gets cold. Some varieties of chicken cannot tolerate prolonged freezing temperatures. Bantam breeds are especially susceptible to extreme temperatures. Others, like the Silkies, can get chilled just by getting wet. Their feathers are more hair-like and absorb water readily.
Your hen house plans should provide a roost to sit on, and one nest box per hen.
If it gets very cold in your location, plan for a heating system, or at least a light bulb in cold weather. Any extension cords used must be weather proof.
Design
The fun part of planning your chicken coop design is deciding on a look. You can go with a quaint, rustic feel, or build and paint it to mimic your own house. The possibilities are endless. Just factor in security measures against dogs, raccoons, skunks, fox, and snakes.
You can find great design idea books for chicken coops at your local home and hardware stores. Also, there are many designs online for chicken coops that give multiple options. Look for a design that gives you a list of necessary materials in the needed amounts. This really cuts down on waste and trips back and forth to the store.
With a little planning your chicken coop won't just be functional; it will add beauty and interest to your yard.
