You may make out a plan for chicken, but do you believe it is a perfect one? Just as in real estate, location is very important to the success of your chicken house. And it is the first to be considered for anyone. There are five factors should be take into consideration when selecting your site.
Safety first! Common chicken predators include raccoons, foxes, coyotes, rodents and aerial predators such as hawks. Your chickens need to be protected from attack on all sides. Wire mesh fencing is commonly used to keep the chickens in and predators out. Make sure when you are installing fencing to dig down at least 12″ to protect from burrowing predators. And don’t forget your cat – who is probably eying your tasty birds!
Also the natural harms! To prevent flooding during heavy rains, build on slightly elevated ground. If high winds are a problem select a sheltered location. When selecting a location for your chicken house take into account the worst weather conditions for your locale. Make sure your chickens will be safe and dry no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
Your chicken house needs to be situated to maximize the available light. Make sure the windows face the sun so that your chickens will have a bright, warm home. To lay eggs, chickens need approximately 14 hours of light a day.
In cold climates the chicken house will need to be well insulated. A warm chicken is a happy chicken, and a happy chicken lays more eggs! Yes it is true. Chickens lay more eggs in a warm house than a cold one. The ideal temperature in the coop is between 12C-26C (54-79F).
Convenience. Make sure the feeders and waterers are located in the right position and height for the size of your birds. They should be easily accessible for both man and fowl. Also make sure they are not positioned under the roosts or the chickens will poop in them.
Room for Chicken Run and Expansion. If building a chicken run, make sure you allow sufficient room for this. Six to ten square feet per chicken is recommended. Also, if there is a possibility of increasing your flock in the near future, allow room for expansion.
Chicken coop plans provide excellent blueprints for the construction of your chickens’ new home. Take time before you start to pick the right location and your life - and your chickens’ lives - will be much easier.
The above seven steps should get you a long way in making a plan for your chicken house. Building a DIY chicken house may seem like quite the challenge, but when you can break it down into smaller steps it’s much more doable and realistic.