With a chicken coop in the backyard, you can start a fun personal hobby, family project, or the beginning of a small business venture. It’s fun to gather eggs, but selling them at a premium because they are fresh and organic is awesome.
How many hens will you have? That is the first question to answer when starting a chicken coop. Starting with a small coop if you’re only planning to keep a few chickens that pay for their keep in eggs, but if you plan to let your hens brood and raise baby chicks, you’ll find your space shrinking fast.
You can start your backyard coop with plans or a kit ordered from a good supplier. There are many options available. For only 2 to 3 chickens, you can order a complete, ready-to-use kit. Some of these small coops can be utilized as mobile “chicken tractors” around the yard. This allows the hens access to fresh greens, grass, and bugs while keeping them safe.
If you are going to do-it-yourself a coop, beware of unsafe construction materials like treated lumber or lead-based paint. Chickens will peck at the treated wood, which can contain poisons used to prevent mildew, rot, and insect infestation. Any toxins your chickens ingest will be passed into their eggs.
Visit Chicken Coop Designs if you’re looking to build your own hen house.
During the planning stage of your chicken coop in the backyard, think about the following:
Most chickens require at least 4 sq ft of space each (Bantams require half that).
You must keep roosters separated or they will fight and kill one another.
Chicken wire should not be used as the primary way to keep predators at bay. It can be used to keep them from digging under, but the sides of the coop should use something heavier.
Pressure-treated lumber often contains arsenic.
The nesting area should be well secured against determined predators and should be off the ground and water tight. Simple locks will not stop a raccoon – which love chickens and their eggs.
Consider your climate when constructing your coop – if you live in cold weather, you should plan its construction (and the breed of chicken) carefully. Learn which chicken breeds are suited to cold climates and which to warm and even tropical. Simply having them available at your local feed store does not mean they are the best choice for your coop.
To maximize egg production, choose a breed that has a long laying cycle. Meat chicken breeds should be fast growing and ready for the freezer by sixteen weeks. There are literally hundreds of breeds to choose form, so do your research.
Large dog houses, potting sheds, and outdoor tool barns have all been converted to successful backyard coops. You can design coops to fit your landscape or architecture. Designs are limited only by your imagination, so you can have country rustic or even city town homes as a design.
If children will want to be able to interact with your chickens, be certain you buy chickens that have a gentle disposition. Doing the proper research on breeds will allow you to choose your hens wisely and make the most of your backyard coop.
Read Backyard Chicken Coop for a lot more info regarding this subject.