Chicken Coops In The Backyard
A backyard coop can begin a fun family project, a personal hobby, or be the beginning of a small business. It can be fun and satisfying to gather fresh eggs, but selling the eggs for a premium price is really exciting.
The first step in starting with a chicken coops is to know how many chickens you want to end up with. If you plan to brood chicks with your chickens, then you will want to be sure you have a large enough coop to handle the larger flock.
You can start your backyard chicken coop with plans or a kit ordered from a good supplier. There are a lot of them to choose from. Some small coops can be ordered as complete units – usually for 2 or 3 hens. Many of these small ready-made coops can be used as chicken tractors around the yard as well. This safely allows your chickens to have access to fresh greens, grass, and bugs.
When building your own coop, beware of unsafe construction materials like lead-based paint or treated lumber. Treated lumber can contain poisons used to prevent rot, mildew, and insect infestation and chickens will peck at the treated wood. When you hens ingest those toxins, you can be sure those toxins will be passed to their eggs.
Consider these things during the planning stage of your coop:
Every standard-sized adult chicken requires at least 4 square feet of space. Bantam breeds only need two square feet per chicken, but more is always better.
Roosters must be separated or they will fight and likely kill one another.
Chicken wire should not be used as the primary way to keep predators at bay. It can be used to keep them from digging under, but the sides of the coop should use something heavier.
There is arsenic in pressure-treated lumber.
The nesting area should be well secured against determined predators and should be off the ground and water tight. Simple locks will not stop a raccoon – which love chickens and their eggs.
Consider your climate when constructing your coop – if you live in cold weather, you should plan its construction (and the breed of chicken) carefully. Research breeds carefully as some are more suited to colder climates while others require warm or even tropical climate. Just because the local feed store sells them doesn’t mean they are suited to your area.
To maximize egg production, choose a breed that has a long laying cycle. For meat chickens, choose a fast-growing breed that is ready for the freezer by 16 weeks or so. There are literally hundreds of breeds to choose form, so do your research.
Many successful backyard coops have been made from dog houses, potting sheds, and outdoor tool sheds. You can design coops to fit your landscape or architecture. You can design it as country rustic, or to have the charm of a city townhouse. You’re only limited by your imagination.
Many varieties of chicken are gentle and will even do well around children. Breed research will enable you to choose wisely, since disposition varies greatly between breeds, and get the most out of your backyard chicken coop.
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