When it comes to a chicken house design there are a lot of chicken sheds you can build. For you and your chickens to be happy will require that you select the correct plans. So getting a bit of knowledge will save you money, time, and provide the most satisfaction.
The main points to consider before deciding on the type of chicken coop to build include size, permanent or portable, protection, and appearance. So let’s cover some guidelines that will allow you to make an intelligent selection.
Size
The most important point when building a hen house will be the size. The size will determine the maximum number of chickens. So you should build one based on the total chickens you intend on having in the end. Plans for building chicken coops range in size from large to small chicken house designs each one accommodating a certain number of chickens. It always helps to get a fair number of chicken coop ideas to select from. Get a collection of plans.
The biggest mistake in size would be to cram too many chickens into your coop as you end up with industrial farm like conditions. Each chicken needs a certain area to be happy and to lay eggs properly.
When it comes to size you should error on the side of too much space. Worst case you end up with really happy chickens and plenty of room to grow.
Permanent or Portable
Should you build a portable chicken coop or a permanent one? Technically if you use bolts and screws when you build a chicken coop it will ultimately be portable. What we are referring to here is how often you wish to move the chicken coop.
Some people will build a semi-portable chicken coop and move it each year, switching it with their garden. This allows you to take advantage of the natural fertilizer, weeding, and ground scratching provided by the chickens. A portable chicken coop can also be moved for easier cleaning and maintenance.
If you plan on having a larger number of chickens or have no intensions of ever moving it a permanent coop can provide more structural integrity and is more likely to last longer. One consideration would be to build a permanent coop and on one side have a garden and on the other have the fenced in area for the chickens to run. Then you could just switch the location of the chicken run each year and not the whole coop.
Protection
Nothing can be more heart breaking than to wake up and find dead chickens. You need to make sure all your plan includes sturdy fencing and secure doors. Be sure nothing can dig under the fence or coop.
Appearance
What do you want your coop to look like? A chicken coop can look like a big box, a barn, or a miniature house. Are you in the city or populated area where others will see it? Will it be part of your landscape? Typically however the more attractive the chicken coop you build the more expensive it will be.
Before building your own chicken sheds take into account these various points. There is plenty of excellent information out there. A small investment in a good set of plans for chicken coops can save hundreds of dollars and provide plenty of chicken coop ideas. Raising chickens if done properly can be fun, educational for the young, provide plenty of food, and be low stress.