Basic Designs For Chicken Coops

You can find designs for chicken coops all over the net and in a lot of books. Some will be the extravagant, some complex, some basic, but all will have certain common elements. Depending on what you plan for your birds will dictate the design that will best suit you.

Your coop needs to protect your chickens from wind, rain, snow, excessive cold, heat and predators.

Number one--choose a good location. A place in your yard that drains easily of water provides shade for the birds and can be seen by you without obstruction.

You need to think about how to orient your coop? The smart thing is to take advantage of natural light and warmth to help keep your flock dry and warm. So the direction you face the windows in the coop is important. If your chickens are to produce eggs having the coop oriented to take advantage of natural light helps. (Chickens have 26 hour egg cycle which is affected by daytime light patterns). The correct orientation will aid in this cycle.

Also if you want eggs will need nesting boxes. Chickens will nest wherever they feel most comfortable. The same as a momma cat will pick your underwear draw to have her kittens if you let her. The nesting boxes need to lure the hens. Chickens like to nest in subdued light. Keep this in mind when choosing the location of the boxes.

At the same time - you don't want the chickens sleeping (roosting) in the nesting boxes—they are for nesting. So it is a careful balance of making the nesting area attracting for laying eggs, but unacceptable for sleeping. Outside access to the nesting boxes for egg gathering without disturbing the chickens is a good idea—straightforward access like an outside trap door.

Sleeping requirements (roosting) the roosting areas need to be off the ground. This prevents chickens from lying in their own waste and possibly contracting parasites. Underneath the roosting area you should use wood shavings, straw or other material to capture waste. As it becomes damp or soiled, clean it out and replace it.

Make sure to provide enough space for each bird. Everything needs its personal space and chickens are no different. Crowding them is a mistake and will lead to conflict amongst the birds.

Proving feed and water to your birds is something you want to be able to do easily without disturbing the flock. So situating the feeders and waterier for your ease of access while making them easily accessible to the birds is critical. Carrying feed and water to the coop can get old;real quick!!

Chickens need lots of clean water every day and not just because they-- like all animals require water, but they also use water to aid in eating. Mature birds also require grit (which many birds including chickens store in their gullet to act as a set of teeth to grind down the feed as they eat).

In conclusion I think you can see that good designs for chicken coops need to address these important topics. Use the right plans to build your chicken coop, and success is yours!