If you’re building a chicken coop for the first time, you might not know that there’s a wide variety of possibilities for how you can design your coop. Some of these possibilities entail a great deal of handywork, but will allow you to gain greater control over how you house your chickens. Others will require minimal handywork and will yield a simple coop that fits your particular needs.
In the remainder of this article, I will outline 4 popular coop designs, so that you can get an overview of what possibilities you have for chicken coop design.
Chicken Coop Design #1:
Chain-Link Fencing with an Enclosure This is one of the more basic chicken coop designs. All it requires is several large sections of chain link fence, so that you can form a large rectangle. Unlike chicken wire, which is thin and prone to rust, chain-link is sturdy and will remain for years to come.
There are two things you will want to keep in mind when creating such a chicken coop:
1) you will want to provide ample space for chickens to roam (approximately 0.4square metres per chicken);
2) you should include some type of enclosure, so that the chickens can go inside to limit their exposure to bad weather.
Chicken Coop Design #2:
Dog House Coop If you don’t have many chickens, a dog house coop could be the perfect solution for your farming needs. There’s only two things this coop requires:
1) 5 large sections of mesh fencing, along with fastners, to create a completely enclosed rectangle; and
2) a wooden dog house with one side removed. Putting the dog house in the enclosure, you’ll have the perfect coop that will not only keep your chickens warm, but will also keep them safe from predators.
Chicken Coop Design #3:
Simple Coop If you want a simple, cheap coop, your best bet is to purchase 6 wooden posts, two short and two long plywood boards, and a roll of mesh wire. First, place the posts in the ground in the shape of a rectangle, spacing to match the size of the plywood you purchased. Next, hammer on your plywood; and then add your mesh wire, covering all sides and the top. This type of simple coop is often called “utilitarian” because it doesn’t have very many frills, but if your goal is to keep your chickens contained and safe from predators and neighborhood dogs, it’ll do the trick (and for a much lower cost than many alternatives).
Chicken Coop Design #4:
Chicken Barn The “chicken barn” is perhaps the most restrictive chicken coop design. Not only does it provide housing for chicken, but it provides no additional area for them to roam within a fenced-in area. This may seem restrictive, but it can be particularly useful coop if your farm is located in an area with harsh weather or with foxes and racoons. When it comes to a chicken barn, it may be best to buy a pre-build model or to purchase a kit.
Either way, a good rule of thumb is to shop around extensively to make sure you are getting the best deals on materials; and that you are also getting a blueprint that matches your needs. And these are just four possibilities for your chicken coop. There are dozens of other blueprints you can use to create the perfect house for your chickens.
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