Small Chicken Coops

by chicken house plans on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 | Comments Off

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Small Chicken Coops

Location might be the most important issue that determines your success or failure when successfully raising chickens. Choosing the best location in your backyard can boost the probability of raising poultry successfully. If you pick the incorrect place it can ultimately lead to unhealthy and unproductive chickens. This is why it's critical to construct your chicken shed in the best possible spot. It's extremely easy to miss something that may possibly appear insignificant when building your chicken coop, but later turn out to be extremely significant.

Before beginning construction take the time to think about some critical factors and you will typically be rewarded with happier and healthier chickens. In this commentary we're going to chat about the most critical matters that ought to be taken into consideration when determining the best location is concerned. There are of course other items, but water drainage, air circulation, and water availability are the three most important.

Improper drainage can lead to lots of problems. At whatever time the ground gets wet the water will soak into the ground or puddle. Suitable water drainage keeps the soil drier and less muddy. Puddles of water mixed with chicken droppings are a sure means of producing disease. The hens will soon track that mixture all over the place, including into the poultry housing where the feeders, waterers, and nesting areas are to be found. The feed and water can become contaminated and the eggs can become soiled. Choosing a site with first-rate water drainage will put an end to most pollution uncertainties.

The direction of the wind is another factor that must be taken into consideration when deciding on the ultimate spot for your chicken shed. Construct your coop in a spot where the wind won't blow the odor in the direction of your house, and even more notably, in the direction of a neighbor's residence. Having discontented people living next door is not what you want. And satisfactory air circulation will do away with potentially detrimental and unpleasant odors in the chicken shed area.

Position your poultry shed in a place where potential growth is possible. You may want to raise only a few chickens right now, but what if you decide you want to raise more later? If you put together a shed that will hold only several chickens without enough space for expansion, what will happen later on once you decide you want to raise 24 chickens? It's much easier adding on to a shed that is already there than it is constructing a completely new poultry shed in another spot. Keep your choices open and allow enough space for future growth.

Your location should be within reach of water and electrical outlets. Without water nearby you may end up lugging water fountains back and forth on a daily basis just to give your flock clean water. Automatically controlled watering is viable with a nearby faucet which will also help decrease your labor. In addition, water will certainly make any required cleanup activities much easier.

If you are expecting your birds to lay eggs the entire year you must give them artificial light. Pullets must have a minimum quantity of light per day to lay eggs dependably. To make this light available to your flock you must have access to electricity. Position your poultry coops in regions with available electricity.

In cold locations where the winters are severe, poultry coops should be facing south. This will provide the greatest sunlight, keeping the poultry warmer. The additional sunshine will also keep the housing drier and cleaner. Take a little time to consider these issues prior to deciding on a permanent spot and you will significantly boost the chance of success.

Joshua has had fun raising chickens for over 25 years. He has successfully raised many breeds of poultry and has built all of his own poultry sheds, feeders, and brooders during those many years. He has successfully grown poultry for egg and meat production and loves to help others do likewise. Visit his site to learn more with regard to making a superior chicken shed.

Does anyone know where I can buy some chicken wire in the DFW area?

I'm working on a small project, and I think that chicken wire will work best for a part of it. However, I only need a small amount - in most places, I'm seeing batches of it big enough to make a small coop (which I am most definitely not working on...this is more of an arts & crafts type project). Any suggestions? I'd prefer places that are more in the "FW" than the "D" area, if that helps. Thanks!

ace hardware has it in small amounts, might be found at Elliot's hardware also