The concept of rearing your own flock of chickens seems appealing, especially in these economic times, but prior to taking those very last steps there is the question where are you going to keep them. And whereas your new-found venture will without doubt be enjoyable, you ought additionally give consideration to what the expense will be in getting your birds housed. In comparing the cost of a pre-manufactured unit as opposed to the cost of building your own, many a caretaker comes to the answer of opting for the latter to save on the investment of getting started. Of course, a construction blueprint that any beginner can without difficultly follow is without a doubt a prerequisite.

Chicken housing plans range from caretaker to caretaker and from situation to situation. That being said there are features of your chicken coop building plans that you need to think about: availability of space; are you planning on a large flock or a couple of hens; the proximity of your neighbors; climate in your part of the world; and budgetary concerns.

A fixed dwelling is made with flooring to remain in one spot. On the other hand a portable dwelling is built without a floor and can be transferred around on the property to take advantage of changes in sunshine during the day as well as fresh grass feeding. No matter the style and design, the common denominator of all coops is to offer the basic requirements for a flock of birds -- food to eat, water to drink, shelter from the conditions, and space to be comfortable.

In developing your plans let's analyze a number of fundamental areas:

Positioning Your Construction Site: Drainage, drainage, it's all about the drainage. Stay away from low terrain or from constructing on the side of a slope where water accumulates and pools. Just like people, chickens are most unhappy with the prospect of walking about in water for lengthy periods. You might also want to think about using concrete blocks to construct your coop up to avoid water issues.

Size It Up: In many cases the size of your property will dictate the size of your undertaking. Chickens require room to be happy. Chickens require room to be healthy. That being said, each chicken will necessitate 2 to 4 square feet in the coop and 3 to 6 feet outside in the run. Start off by surveying your situation and getting out your calculator.

Your Design: whenever it comes to design devote some forethought to the ongoing cleanup and maintenance of your chickens' home. With this in mind, keep your flooring design easily accessible which will encompass fundamental amenities - roosts, nest boxes, food and water availability, windows for lighting, and measures for providing enough ventilation.

About Your Neighbors: That's right, unless you're residing in the solitude of the country side, thinking about your neighbors will be an vital step in establishing your project. As in dealings with folks in general, a number of folks will applaud your efforts whilst others might be less approving. In any case, utilize good judgment in not locating your activity overly close to your neighbors' property. The best advice is to involve your neighbors in the planning stages of what your plan will entail in order to stay away from any surprises which could lead to damaging feedback in the long term.

Predators: The listing of potential predators is extensive covering the climbers, the diggers, and the flyers. It merely takes a sloppy misstep or a misjudgment in protection measures for a caretaker to feel the wrath of a hungry marauder. Protecting your flock requires due wakefulness, the most effective in security materials, and taking the proper steps in security installation.

Drawing to a finish, don't undervalue the requirement of having a formula, a simple to follow visual pathfinder to bring your venture to fruition.