Jul
1
2010
Build Your Own Chicken Coop
Or
Hen House! With Step by Step DIY Chicken Coop Plans
Literally, hundreds of thousands of people, the world over, are raising their own chickens these days. And why not? For a small investment you can have fresh eggs, as well as safe, chemical-free meat the year round. But you need a chicken coop or a hen house to make this happen.
Chicken Coop or Eye Sore?
You might be tempted to build your chicken coop out of old, scrap lumber and wire, but that might turn out to be a costly mistake. Not only would it probably be unattractive, but it would most likely be unsafe for your chickens!
Your chickens are an investment, and as such they must be protected from predators and disease. Either of these can severely harm your flock, and do so virtually overnight!
Pre-Built Chicken Coops
Are
Expensive!!
There is no other way to say it: Pre-built chicken coops and hen houses are expensive. Some can run into the thousands-of-dollars by the time everything is said and done.
Why spend that kind of money on your chicken coop when you do not have to?
Your Best Option:
Build Your Own Chicken Coop
Using High-Quality Chicken Coop Plans!
Consider this: If you had a few common hand tools, some basic knowledge of carpentry, and a detailed set of chicken coop plans, could you build your own coop?
The vast majority of those reading this right now will say YES!
Benefits of Using Quality Chicken Coop Plans:
• Choose the style and size YOU want!
• Choose based on YOUR budget!
• Choose according to the number of birds YOU have!
• Choose according to YOUR carpentry skill level!
• Choose based on YOUR budget!
• Choose according to the number of birds YOU have!
• Choose according to YOUR carpentry skill level!
Just think, with our DIY Chicken Guides, you will have all the information you need to complete your project quickly and easily, and without having to use any “guesswork” as you would if you tried to build your own coop from scrap.
And unlike expensive pre-built chicken coops where you may have to “just settle” for what is available, you can select the type and style of coop you want!
From small coops to large coops, you decide what you want! We even have plans for portable chicken coops!
Everything you need, from materials list to cut sheet to simple, step-by-step instructions is included. We even offer access to one of the very best online video libraries to help you “see” what you are doing before you do it.
With our Do It Yourself Chicken Coop Guides virtually anyone can build a safe, secure, and attractive coop in less time than you might imagine.
Are You New to Raising Chickens?
Raising chickens does not have to be difficult or confusing, but there are some considerations you have to keep in mind.
For instance, did you know:
• Chickens need at least 3 square feet per bird to thrive.
• You must provide adequate feeding points;
• You must provide adequate watering points, or your birds may suffer and die!
• Chickens have no defense against predators. It is up to you and the coop to protect them.
• Chicken roosts must be adequately sized and constructed for your birds to get the rest they need.
• Flooring and Ventilation are key elements to your birds’ survival and health!
All of these important considerations have been taken into account with our plans. Why take chances? Why risk your flock to a careless mistake?
Be sure to read our other articles Chicken Coop and Hen Houses Part 1 and Chicken Coop and Hen House Part 2
Or Basics of Raising Chickens Part 1 and Basics of Raising Chickens Part 2
With our DIY Chicken Coop Guides, you do not have to take chances.
To learn more about our Chicken Coop Guides click link below.
Chicken Coop Designs & Plans
Chicken Coop Plans
Aug
31
2010
Chicken Nesting Box: Basics
chicken nesting box
Chicken nesting boxes are very important to your overall operation of raising chickens. Nesting boxes are where your hens go to lay their eggs. If your chicken nesting boxes are not constructed and placed properly, your hens may feel stressed and this can affect their productivity.
It is no secret that there are dozens of plans available for chicken nesting boxes. The type you choose is up to you, but every nesting box must provide the following: they must be kept clean; they must be kept dry; and they must be placed in a fairly dark and quiet area.
These are the three most important conditions and failing to meet even one may cause your hens to lay fewer eggs.
For those new to chicken nesting boxes, the following may be helpful:
The minimum size for a good nesting box is one cubic foot. This means building or buying a box that is 12 inches long, deep, and wide. Remember, this is the minimum size. If you provide a nesting box that is bigger, your hen will be happier.
The number of nesting boxes you keep should be determined by how many hens you have. You should always keep at least one chicken nesting box for two to four hens.
There is often some debate as to what type of material you should use in the bottom of the nesting box. Pine shavings are an excellent choice but some people prefer to use good old straw.
Hens that are about to lay eggs are not as agile as those who are not. For this reason, it is often a very good idea to add a roost bar in order for them to get into the nesting box easily. A roost bar is basically just a step to help them get up into the box.
You may also want to add a small lip to the box to help keep the nesting material inside the box as well as help keep the egg inside the box.
Generally, hens prefer to have their nesting boxes off the ground. As a practical matter, this also helps to keep predators out of the chicken nesting box and away from the eggs. Just ensure the box is not too high and that you add a roost bar as mentioned above.
Once your hens begin laying eggs it is important that you collect the eggs every day. If you do not, your hens may stop laying eggs and take over the duty of hatching the egg. With that in mind, make sure you place your chicken nesting boxes within easy reach.
Good owners will inspect the nesting material often and change it out as they need. Some material, such as hay, will get wet and rot very quickly. This needs to be replaced as needed.
These are the basics of managing a chicken nesting box. The more time and care you put into your nesting boxes the more successful you will be. Keep your hens happy and give them the right chicken nesting box and they will lay eggs for a very long time.
Aug
26
2010
Araucana Chicken
Araucana Chicken
Raising Chickens, Healthy Chickens are Happy Chickens
There have been thoughts on what you need to do with your flock regularly. Raising chickens is often rather hassle-free but also needs management to have their environment clean and safe for both your chickens along with your own happiness.
A bit of people raising chickens hesitate to do such a grueling procedure. But actually it is about the simplest works you’re able to do in giving your chickens the welcome they deserve.
On this part, you will learn about what to do and what to avoid daily when raising chickens.
1) Always keep their feed and water canisters full all the time. Don’t let them run out of both of these essentials. They are required these things daily to live. In case you are inclined to leave your home for a few days, be sure you leave adequate food and water to make certain that your chickens don’t run out of their demands and will not reach the point of picking on each other.
2) Clean their drinking water canister. If their water becomes cloudy or when they sensed that it is currently filthy, they will refuse to drink it and ultimately, they are going to become dehydrated and in the end conjure health problems and die we don’t want to start raising chickens and have them start to perish.
3) Every single day, observe for their wellness status. Evaluate their physical attitude. Do they appear good, energetic, and wholesome? If they really do not seem anything close to normal, you then ought to call up or see the vet to ask for recommendations and advice.
four) If you’re the type who enjoys acquiring eggs for breakfast time or for selling, the minute they are laid, you’re able to already get them from your chicken coop. Put the eggs into the fridge to maintain its freshness.
5) From time to time, you’ll have the opportunity to go to their chicken coop and look at your flock after all we started raising chickens for the enjoyment. Prior to leaving, ensure that everything’s safe and sound in and out of the chicken coop.
If you see rat holes, block it. If everything seems very good, you’ll want to close the doorway. As dusk comes, that’ll be the time when the chickens are in their chicken coop. Not a single chicken within your sights. Secure the area making sure that predators will not have the chance for getting in.
Unlike other pets, it is possible to leave the chickens for days. You have got to keep in mind that they must be given sufficient water and food source. In case you came back and discovered eggs, it’s still acceptable to gather. It still has its freshness.
One more thing that you should know about eggs is that often upon collecting them, there are going to be chances you will notice minor smudges of dirt or feces on the egg’s surface area.
Never attempt too scrub the dirt off no matter how the urge is killing you. Simply because something regarding eggs is they are not ejected to this world with out protective barriers.
Bloom is a term which is given to the membrane that’s located at the surface area of the egg itself.
The usage of the bloom would be to safeguard the egg from bacteria and microorganisms that may insist on penetrating through the shell. If you scrub this, you are taking away the protective covering.
However if you’re that type of individual who wanted things to generally be spiffy clean, like that of the obsessive-compulsive type, you may thoroughly clean the dirty egg provided it will be under warm water and a very soft touch.
With a good set of chicken coop plans you can build a chicken coop that will keep predators out and make cleaning your chicken coop easy to clean, making it easy and enjoyable to raising chickens
Aug
24
2010
Chicken Coop That is Inexpensive
You will discover a great deal of plans, designs and good ideas regarding structures utilized in housing chickens. They will consist of complex two story constructions right on down to a tiny dog house style dwelling enclosed by some fence to keep potential predators out and chickens in Before you decide to spend a lot of money and effort configuring high-priced coops, discover about making chicken coops the simple way and you will enjoy the fruits from your labor sooner.
Chickens usually are not demanding critters. Their needs are fairly simple. They need an area to get in from the elements from where the cold weather conditions will not harm them or the eggs.
Next on the list, they should have room for their nests to be able to lay eggs. You will also have to have chicken roosts for them to sleep at night as they feel safer on a roost.
Simply because both eggs and chickens are known to be tasty morsels by a number of potential predators, the place developed for hen chickens ought to be sturdy and well protected. Include a little food and water and they’re happy birds.
You can find general ways to make a chicken coop or you could easily create your own from scratch there are quick step by step on line chicken coop plans.
The majority of chicken coop plans have step by step plans for many different sizes and styles of chicken coops additionally, you’ll find portable chicken coop plans
Be mindful to not put a chicken coop very in close proximity to your home for a couple of reasons. The sound could possibly get rather noisy sometimes and downwind, a chicken coop does not smell like roses. On the flip side, you really don’t wish to put the coop too far away either – both for the sake of convenience and to be able to be on the lookout regarding potential predators.
No matter how extravagant a chicken coop is, keep in mind that it is required to be cleaned regularly to reduce odour and pest infestations. One of the mistakes those people a novice to raising chickens do is they make coops where the floor is completely level.
Isn’t that the right way to make a dwelling? Of course, but not a chicken coop – for the reason that when you want to rinse it, all of that matter will pool right at your feet.
Not really a pretty thought or sight. As an alternative, ideally you should construct the floor which includes a tilt in the back of it.
Developing a chicken coop the simplest way includes a simple cleaning. By having a a bit tilted floor at the rear of hen house, once you spray it down during cleaning, all of that icky material is going to wash down the slant and right out of the back door within the coop.
Put a chicken wire fence all around the coop to help keep unwelcome predators out. Bear in mind a few critters would certainly dig beneath fences to get into the chicken coop, so play it smart and bury a fence partially down below the earth. Putting together chicken coops the simple way definitely makes the work of proudly owning chickens a lot easier in the end.
If you require a bit of assist with design and style within your chicken coop and tips as well as the best methods of constructing ones hen coop you could find easy to read chicken coop plans that come as a ebook for a immediate down load of chicken coop plans. As well as most chicken coop plans consist of bonuses that will help with the elements of raising your chickens.
Aug
18
2010
Chicken Coop Roosts the Basics
If you think about it, no part of a coop is unimportant, and that goes for the chicken coop roosts as well. This is where your chickens sleep and rest, and designing a chicken coop roost that fits the needs of your flock is important. Those who may be new to raising chickens may not know that chickens hate to sleep on the floor. They do not like sleeping in nesting boxes either. What they do prefer are well-built roosting bars or platforms.
Many experts agree that the reason chickens prefer to sleep on a roost is simply because it makes them feel safer. Chickens will often huddle together on a single roost, thus giving them the feeling of being safe during the night.
A good roost is placed above the ground. This, too, adds to the flock’s sense of protection. Many of the predators that hunt chickens are unable to get up onto a roost—or at least not easily. When chickens are well rested and feel safe in their coop, they produce more eggs and behave well.
It has often been noted that chickens will sleep at the highest level possible within the coop. This is where you want to place your roosting bars or platforms. It is important that you not place your nesting boxes above the roosting area as this may cause the birds to want to sleep in the box. As a general rule, chickens will defecate while they are sleeping and you do not want that happening where your eggs are being laid.
Chicken coop roosts should all be at the same height. There are some reasons for this.
If you install Chicken coop roosts at various heights, you may end up with a flock of chickens that are fighting over the higher areas. As mentioned above, chicken instinct is to sleep as high up as possible, and they will fight over that spot.
Second, those chickens that are roosting below those higher up will be splattered with waste. You certainly do not want that.
The better option is to design your chicken coop roosts all at the same level, using crossbars if needed to get enough roosting space for all of your birds. Generally, you want to allow about ten inches of roosting space per bird.
Many of the online chicken coop plans that you can buy will come with detailed instructions on how to construct your chicken coop roosts. Before you buy your chicken coop plans, it is best to have some idea as to how many adult chickens you want to raise at one time. This will make it much easier to select the proper size coop and chicken coop roosts.
Top Ebooks for Chicken Coop Plans
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