How To Build A Chicken Coop Like A Real Farmer Would
If you need to know how to build a chicken coop, then you’ve come to the right place, and that is for sure!
I grew up on a farm, and building different items was just something we did. If you want to house animals, you will need a good-quality barn or chicken coop, whichever the case may be. In this case, I’ll be talking about how to build a chicken coop easily.
If you are not a good carpenter already, you will need to get a high-quality manual. There are plenty of them on the internet. The thing i, not all of these manuals are high quality;y, matter of fact, some are just plain old junk.
You will need to build your chicken coop properly, or it can kill your chickens and cause a whole bunch of problems that are all completely avoidable if you know what you’re doing to begin with, such as preparing the coop for baby chicks or winterizing the coop.
Not just anybody can write a How to Build a Chicken Coop manual because not everybody has the experience building one. Not only did I build several of them, but I also know the ins and outs because when you have raised as many chickens as I have, it’s a great feeling knowing that they are safe in the pens you have built. You just can not help but learn a lot about chicken care.
This is what separates me from them. I know what works the best. I know how chickens behave in any kind of conditions. What you do not want to do is buy one of those cheap guides written by somebody who does not know what they’re talking about. You will be just looking at a bunch of unnecessary problems down the road.
If you need to build your chicken coop, get this guide. It will save you many hours of time and trouble. It is hands down the best of the best guides available.
How to Build a Chicken Coop | Pen Version A
Planning, planning, and once more, planning. Building a chicken coop is a relatively simple procedure as long as you do your planning correctly. Various elements go into building a chicken pen, the most important of which are the size of the chicken pen as well as how effective your chicken pen will be at protecting your chickens from predators. The different breeds of chickens you are going to raise do not matter or whether they are Bantams or not.
These two main elements will often influence other elements, such as what materials you will use to build your pen or even where you will be building your chicken pen, and therefore, it is important to examine them before you start building a chicken pen.
When considering the size of your chicken coop, it is important to take into account how many chickens you would like to keep. As a general rule, each chicken should be provided with at least 3-5 square feet of space.
The reason for this is simply that for chickens to be healthy and productive, they need exercise, and without the necessary space, they will not be able to get sufficient exercise.
Protection The Flock
Protecting your chickens from predation is very important. The first thing you need to do when protecting your chickens is to make sure that you only use heavy-gauge mesh in the construction of your pen.
This is especially important when your pen will be built in an area filled with medium-sized predators such as dogs and foxes (cats are not considered a threat to chickens). Also, make sure that these types of predators are unable to dig their way into the chicken pen.
Now that you have the planning of your chicken pen out of the way, you can proceed to physically build a chicken pen the right way.
What you will need to make your chicken coop:
- A tape measure, shovel, hammer, post hole diggers, wire cutters, staple gun, wrench, saw, and level
- Four sturdy anchor posts (the post can be either metal (2.5 circle) or wood – recommended (4″ x 4″ x 8′)
- PVC-coated 1″ chicken wire – 6′ tall by however long you need (enough to build a pen that satisfies your needs)
- Some rock cement, like Portland or Ready mix
- 4 hinges – 2 for the pen door and 2 for the coop door
Start by measuring off the size of your pen. Now, in the four corners of your pen, dig four holes approximately 20 inches deep. Place an anchor post in each hole and then pack some rocks around each post before filling up the holes. The rocks will provide your post with extra support.
Now you need to take the heavy-duty gauge and tightly frame the four posts. Secure the top of the netting to the posts. The gauze should be about 5 feet high.
For added safety, you could even staple some hardwood boards to the bottom of the fence. This will make it more difficult for foxes, dogs, and other burrowing predators to get into your chicken pen.
Now all you need to do is build a gate that will give you access to the chicken pen that you just built, a nd then your chicken pen will be complete and your chickens protected.