7. Construct the chicken coop so the front and the yard area face towards the south. Slope the roof so that rain does not run off directly over the door.8. As expanded as the chickens' basic needs are met, they Testament be cheerful and healthy. Construe on to memorize extra.
Instructions
Planning
1. Deposit the coop in a altitudinous spot. You yearning to practise confident the coop and the yard Testament not accumulate puddles of aqua during a pour Calamity.
2. Arbitrate how extensive the coop needs to be. Laying hens and birds raised for meat longing 1 1/2 to 2 square feet per bird on the inside of the coop. The chickens Testament itch 8 to 10 square feet per bird in the yard sphere.
3. Sketch elsewhere your constitution on paper. Be firm to incorporate a door great Sufficiently for you to enter the coop To gather eggs and Disinfected. Contemplate putting windows on the south facing side for ventilation in the summer and To admit the sun to sizzling the coop in winter.
4. Case on all sides of your Belongings to glare what you already posses available To erect the chicken coop with. Scrap lumber, plywood or still an getting on shed can be used.
5. Map out the inside of the coop. You need a nest box for every 4 to 5 laying hens in your flock. You also need 6 to 10 inches of perch space for each chicken.
6. Purchase any additional building materials based on your plans. Buy chicken wire or other fencing to enclose the yard. Pick up feeders, waterers and straw.
Building
Raising chickens is a no problem hobby that provides eggs and meat for you and fertilizer for your garden. Cognate all animals, chickens hurting for suitable housing. You can body a coop for your chickens still provided you aren't a beneficial carpenter. You don't occasion complicated plans or expensive building materials.
Cover any windows securely with chicken wire to keep predators out. You can install sliding glass windows if you want to be able to completely close off the openings but still let light in.
9. Place a latch on the door so you can secure the coop when necessary.
10. Install the nest boxes and the perches along the walls of the coop. Perches need to be 3 to 4 feet off the ground. Fill the boxes with straw.
11. Fence the entire yard with chicken wire or other fencing. It should be 4 feet high. Bury the fencing 12 inches deep and angling out away from the yard. This keeps predators from digging into the yard.
12. Cover the yard area with netting to keep hawks and owls from preying on the hens. You can also plant millet or other tall grasses in the yard to give the chickens some cover.
13. Hang the feeders and waterers in the yard so that the trays are about the height of the chickens backs. Keeping them off the ground prevents the chickens from getting dirt in the food and water.
