Home and Family

Although a pre-fabricated chicken coop may seem like a sensible option for the urban farmer, DIY chicken coop plans may be a better fit. Readily available, pre-made coops are not always the best option due to their high price tags. In addition, they do not offer as many options as one made from scratch. Especially true for the urban farmer, modifications to standard coop plans are much easier to make when building one's own compared to a ready-to-assemble model.

When deciding on how to build a chicken coop, several factors need to be considered:  how much land there is to devote to the chickens, how many chickens will be in the brood, and how the climate will affect the chickens. A little bit of research into these considerations could possibly save a farmer a lot of money and frustration. Building the wrong coop is an unnecessary mistake. Most cities have restrictions as to the number and breed of chickens allowed. Since each breed has unique needs, it is best to determine size and type of chicken to be raised before deciding on the appropriate coop design.

Hen house designs can be found in a number of places including the local library, farm stores, books, and the internet. It is worth the time to check out a variety of plans before committing to one. As important as considering the needs of the chickens is considering the talent, funds, and time available to the farmer. Chicken coops, though simple in basic design, can become quite costly if one decides to get creative. Although everyone loves to admire the coops designed like houses or famous landmarks, they do not function any better than their simple counterparts do. For those with little to no experience with tools and building, a handy friend or relative can easily help with a few pointers. Also very helpful are DIY chicken coop plans that are targeted to those that may lack construction experience.

There are a multitude of chicken coop designs available for free with perhaps the most popular for urban yards being chicken tractor plans. Designed for small yards, these coops are placed on wheels allowing the coop to be moved about the yard so that the chickens can have fresh grass, insects and dirt – everything needed for happy chickens.

For those not wanting to mess with moving a chicken coop every few days, there are many other small chicken coop designs for consideration. Important features for every coop are natural light sources, ventilation, accessibility to food and water, protection from the elements and predators and aesthetics. Urban chicken coops are unique in that neighbors will always see them.  If you do not want angry neighbors, it is important to consider how the coop will blend in with the yard. There are several ways to minimize the coop appearance while still offering a safe environment for your hens.

Raising chickens and reaping the bounty of fresh eggs can and should be an amazing and rewarding experience. By taking a little bit of extra time researching coop designs and investing in some elbow grease, one can build a chicken coop and create and maintain a long-lasting home for their chicken friends.

Author RSS Publish Profile