In case you stumbled upon this text, there’s a excessive likelihood that you just’re new to elevating chickens and trying to construct a hen coop by your self. Not shopping for a pre-fabricated one.
That’s nice. For most individuals with primary woodworking talent, constructing a hen coop isn’t actually that onerous.
You simply want an in depth plan to construct one.
That is extraordinarily essential particularly in case you don’t have any expertise in constructing one thing like this earlier than.
There are a whole lot of free hen coop plans on the web. In truth, BackyardChicken alone (one of many largest on-line hen proprietor communities) has greater than 3,000 of them, submitted by the members.
However, the issue is, not all of them are ok to comply with.
Whereas I’m looking the gathering a number of weeks in the past, amongst these 3,000 concepts solely 10% of them are realistically could be constructed by inexperienced persons. Most of them are both too exhausting to construct or don’t have detailed plans. That’s why I created this text. I gathered 61 of the best-looking, easiest-to-build, or the most cost effective hen coop plan obtainable so YOU can also construct it by your self.
Earlier than we begin to the free plans, it’s essential to know what makes hen coop. A coop isn’t only a shelter, it’s a home the place your chickens dwell. Identical to a human’s home, the happiness and healthiness of your chickens extremely influenced by the coop. That’s why it’s essential to know this stuff earlier than you construct one.
As a normal rule of thumb, one hen wants 3-Four sq. ft of house of coop. So in case you’re planning to have 3, then you definitely’ll want 12 sq. foot coop (3×4, 6×2, or larger). Nonetheless, in case you plan to coop them on a regular basis, you want at the very least 10 ft every. If the house is simply too small, your chickens won’t be comfortable. The coop will get smelly actual quick, your hen might be stressed, they’ll begin pecking one another, they’ll get sick, and ultimately, die.
You may technically present lower than Three sq. ft per hen, BUT they have to be outdoor more often than not. For smaller bantam breeds, you’ll solely want 2 sq. ft as a substitute of 4.
Contemplate these when selecting the situation to your hen coop: Sunshine and shade – your flock wants pure daylight, however not all day Wind – a pleasant movement of air is sweet, however keep away from locations uncovered to sturdy wind. Below a tree is commonly place for purpose no 1 and a couple of
Ease of entry – you’ll must verify the coop 2 occasions per day or extra, make certain it’s simply accessible for human Odor and noise – don’t place the coop too near your own home, or your neighbor’s Professional tip: Don’t determine a location immediately, monitor the realm for at the very least one week to ensure there’s no main downside
Your coop isn’t only a wall and roof to guard your chickens, there are issues on the within (and outdoors) to maintain your chickens alive and wholesome. Listed here are a number of essential issues to plan. Should-haves:
Nesting field – that is the place your hens will lay their eggs. You have to have at the very least 1 field per 2 hens with the dimensions of 12x12x12 inches and about 10-20 inches above the bottom Home windows/air flow – your hen will get sick simply if there’s no gentle and correct air flow
Feeder and waterer – for apparent causes Good-to-haves: Perch space – chickens like to sleep on perch
The run – within the addition to the shelter, an out of doors fenced space is essential to maintain your chickens comfortable Mud tub field – chickens want to scrub themselves with mud to remain wholesome
Poop boards – place it under perching space, it’ll prevent a whole lot of time cleansing the coop
Lighting – within the winter, heat lights can enhance egg manufacturing
That’s the essential, however not every thing. I can’t go too in-depth on this article, in any other case, the entire web page would turn into too lengthy.