Before you build a good chicken coop with your own hands, you need to decide for what purpose the chickens are raised. The size of the poultry house primarily depends on the number of its inhabitants. If chickens are bred to sell eggs, then there must be at least fifty birds. A chicken coop with a large number of inhabitants will differ in size from a structure designed for 20 chickens.
DIY chicken coop
Building a chicken coop is not a simple task, which consists of several stages. Everything is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. It is necessary to take into account many points, including ventilation, roof arrangement, drainage, wall insulation.
In order for chickens to feel comfortable, lay abundantly and gain weight, the chicken coop must provide:
- Stable indoor temperature. In winter, the temperature cannot be less than +12 0C. There should be no drafts in the chicken coop. In summer it should be no more than +25 0C. Otherwise, you should forget about the eggs until favorable conditions arise.
- Ventilation. Chickens do not like high humidity, so organizing a ventilation system is necessary, no matter by what means.
- Illumination. It is necessary to install light in the chicken coop. The bulbs should glow a warm yellow light. To ensure the desired daylight hours, many poultry breeders use light bulbs with a timer that turn the light on/off for a certain period of time. In this case, all wires are laid so that chickens do not damage them.
- Organizing a quiet life for poultry. No noise or harsh sounds are the main requirements. The location should be chosen away from the house.
- Chicken coop security. The chicken coop should be inaccessible to small predators, who not only steal eggs, but can also suffocate the entire bird.
In remote areas, foxes, weasels, and rats can enter the chicken coop, so the safety of the chickens is paramount. Strong locks should be provided on the front door, and bars should be placed on the windows to protect the bird from human theft.
Chicken coop location
Choosing a place to build a chicken coop is the main preparatory stage in which everything should be thought through. Bird safety, no noise. In addition, there is no escape from the specific smell.
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Particularly capricious breeds of chickens do not like frequent visits to their “home” by people; because of this factor, they lay less eggs.
The main requirement for placing a chicken coop is away from a private home!
A suitable option is a remote corner of the site, moderately sunny. It is advisable to have a tree nearby that will provide shade for the chicken coop on hot summer days. Many people make a small extension to the barn, which simplifies the construction work. Near the chicken coop, it is necessary to fence off an area for chickens to walk. There is no need to let them out into the yard or garden, as they might step on something unpleasant. In this case, forget about flower beds.
Chickens have sharp claws on their feet, with which they dig up roots and worms, so where this bird is kept there is not even weed grass.
The calculation of the area for walking in the chicken coop is based on 1-2 square meters. m for chicken. If you plan to keep up to 20 pieces, then the area for walking should be at least 40 square meters. m. If there are no such areas, then you can make fenced tunnels where the bird can move freely. They are usually made from meshes of various meshes. The area should be sunny with places of shade where you can hide in hot weather.
A slightly elevated location for the chicken coop will help avoid flooding during heavy rain or in the spring when the snow melts. If the area is flat, it is necessary to consider the removal of excess moisture.
It is recommended to have windows in the chicken coop facing south to increase the duration of the sunny day. From the south they make a door, an aviary and a hole. In addition, there are no cold winds on this side.
Poultry house parameters
Having chosen the optimal location for construction, it is necessary to calculate the dimensions of the poultry house.
The following data should be taken into account:
- if you plan to breed meat birds, then 3 pcs. you need to leave 1 sq. m.;
- for egg-laying chickens per 1 sq. m. there should be 4 heads;
- for keeping chickens per 1 sq. m. can accommodate up to 15 pcs.
A small area can cause a stampede of one or more birds.
Raising chickens requires a separate room from the adult flock. Otherwise, the adults will eat the nutritious food. In addition, keeping chickens is a separate topic with many nuances.
For example, the average area of a chicken coop for 10 birds is 10 square meters. m. To make it convenient to clean the poultry house and enter it, the ceiling should be at least 2 m high. This will be achieved by building a gable roof with a ridge height of up to 2 m, and walls no more than 1.5 m.
What should be in a chicken coop for 10 chickens:
- area more than 5 sq. m.;
- arrangement of nests – 3-4 pcs.;
- perch 0.5 m high;
- feeders along one of the walls;
- door for quick cleaning of the poultry house, changing water, adding feed;
- drinking bowls and feeders should be at a height of at least 50 mm;
- the total window area is no more than 10% of the usable area of the room;
- fenced enclosure for daily walking;
- If the entrance to the chicken coop is located high, a ladder must be installed.
To save space, instead of a perch, place an ordinary thick perch on which the birds can sleep at night. It can be a beautiful driftwood that will make the interior unusual and stylish.
A chicken lays eggs 1-2 times a day, so 4 nests for 10 birds will be enough, since they lay eggs at different times.
Nests are made away from the roost to prevent damage to the eggs.
To prevent chickens from being a stumbling block with neighbors, when building a chicken coop you should take into account the rules and regulations according to which:
- You cannot keep more than 40 chickens in your dacha;
- from the poultry house to the neighbor’s fence there must be at least 4 m;
- if the chicken coop is adjacent to the house, then there should be 7 m or more from the front door of the house to it;
- the extension must be included in the technical passport.
If chickens are raised in rural areas, then there are no restrictions.
Preparing to move in
Perches
Before moving the chickens into the finished structure, treat all surfaces with lime - this will protect the birds from ubiquitous microbes.
Build perches in the chicken coop of such length that there is at least 60 cm for each bird. Under each perch, equip small containers for collecting bird droppings, then the chicken coop will be much cleaner.
Consider insulation and heating if the structure is planned to be used all year round. The insulation can be mineral wool or polystyrene foam. For heating, use a small heater, previously protected from moisture and contact with chickens. Even an ordinary high-power incandescent lamp can become such a heater.
Install feeders with drinkers in such a way that chickens do not rummage through them, following their innate curiosity. Place them at a low height, attaching them to the wall. Make sure that these containers are always clean.
Note! To make chickens lay eggs better, resort to a little trick. Paint the box where they will do this black and place it in the far corner - this will make the birds feel calmer.
Description of chicken coop types
Poultry houses are:
- The exit to the street is closed - this type is used for raising chickens and is the simplest. The chickens sit closed until the owner lets them out.
- Open - chickens go out for a walk when they want and come back if necessary.
- For winter - it is made insulated so that the bird does not freeze during cold weather.
If there is an unnecessary barn or utility room on the site, then it can be converted into a poultry house. You can save a lot of money on this. All you need to do is make the interior comfortable for chickens.
All dyes and chemicals should be removed from the former barn so that they do not harm the health of the bird.
Choosing a building location
How to make a winter chicken coop with space for walking and excellent roosting?
To do this, it is important to select a suitable area for placing the entire building. First of all, it is important that the soil is dry. It can be sandstone or ordinary black soil. If the soil is clayey or swampy, then increased dampness and humidity will prevail, and this is not acceptable. If there is no choice, then you should drain the required area: cover it with sand in one uniform layer.
Lighting also needs to be taken into account. To do this, the entire structure must be located on the illuminated side.
Note!
It is better not to place the chicken coop close to other buildings or a high fence. Due to constant shade, the microclimate will be humid and damp, which will negatively affect the condition of the bird.
Do-it-yourself chicken coop - construction process
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If the decision to build is finally made, then construction can be divided into the following stages:
- design;
- counting building materials, drawing up estimates;
- pouring the foundation;
- building walls;
- roof construction;
- installation of windows and doors;
- pouring the floor, treating the walls (usually with lime);
- insulation (in cold regions);
- making nests, equipping with drinking bowls and feeders;
- floor bedding (straw, sawdust);
- assembly, installation of flooring;
- conducting electricity.
Next, we will consider the main stages of construction, which can cause difficulties for novice poultry breeders. On the Internet you can find projects of any poultry house design that will be in harmony with the overall appearance of the summer cottage.
Calculate the amount of building material needed and the cost of construction is a matter of technology.
Pouring the foundation
Setting up a poultry house without a foundation is a bad idea, as it will quickly fall apart.
Therefore, a foundation is required. It happens:
- columnar (which is preferable);
- monolithic;
- tape.
If you plan to build a chicken coop from bricks or blocks, then you should make a monolithic or strip foundation that can withstand high loads.
If the poultry house is built from wood, then a columnar foundation is suitable, which is much easier and faster to make. Thick-walled pipes concreted to a depth of at least 1 m, pre-treated wooden poles, etc. are suitable materials for support pillars.
Walling
The material of the walls depends on the type of foundation and the amount of money that the breeder is willing to spend on the chicken coop. If the poultry house is made of cinder block or foam block, then it must be additionally insulated (on both sides), since the material has high thermal conductivity. With a columnar foundation, the structure can be made of wood. A frame is built on the poles on which the future chicken coop is attached.
To organize walking, experienced breeders use a metal mesh with small cells.
Among bird breeders you can find adobe chicken coops that keep them warm in winter and cool in summer, however, the construction technology is not available to everyone. The surface of the walls is difficult to level. Adobe walls are made mainly in the south of Russia. A wide selection of construction technologies allows you to choose the best option for building a convenient, bird-friendly, and beautiful chicken coop.
Regardless of the material, the walls of the interior must be treated against mold, bacteria, and the cultivation of microorganisms harmful to birds. It is better to cover the walls with lime and treat the chicken coop for parasites at least once a year.
For cold regions, additional heating should be provided (usually with electricity or gas). Walls and ceilings can also be covered with heat-insulating material, which can be easily purchased in specialized stores. Mineral wool is used for interior spaces, and penoplex and other materials for exterior spaces.
Construction of the roof and floor
The microclimate in the poultry house depends on the roof. An insulated roof will not require filling of the ceiling covering. Slate is the best option, both in terms of its properties and price. At the same time, do not forget about organizing drainage and removal of excess moisture from the building.
The gender depends on the scope of use of the chicken coop. If it is planned to contain broilers for meat, then a light, non-insulated floor will be sufficient. The floor can be concrete, but you will need a bedding made of straw, sawdust, sand, which is changed regularly, or wood, which is not difficult to build with a columnar foundation. With a strip foundation, the floor can be earthen or clay. In this case, dry, clean bedding is also necessary.
The health of chickens depends on the cleanliness of the floor.
Don’t forget about a secure window with bars and a door with a lock.
Arranging the interior of the chicken coop
In order for a do-it-yourself chicken coop to become a comfortable home for chickens, it needs to be equipped inside.
There must be a perch inside the room. The perch is the main component of any poultry house. During the dark hours of the day, the chicken spends time on it. The perch is installed at an angle with a distance between the poles of up to 0.5 m. One chicken occupies a width of up to 35 cm.
Drinkers and feeders are installed opposite the perch. In specialized stores you can find many models of drinking bowls and feeders. Automatic drinking devices will ensure a continuous supply of water and protect the drinking bowl from dust, which often occurs in the chicken coop due to “internal squabbles” between birds. The design of the feeders should be such that all the birds can come up and calmly peck the food, without crowding or fighting.
When setting up large feeders, chickens will climb into it and row with their feet, scattering precious, expensive food across the floor. Therefore, feeders should be chosen small, preferably with automatic feed supply.
Automatic drinkers and feeders will be convenient if the family comes to the dacha on weekends and does not live there permanently. In this case, the chickens will always be watered and fed. You just need to fall asleep, fill in the required amount of food and water, respectively.
Nests should be made more closed, in a dark place in the chicken coop with soft bedding inside and a closing lid for easy removal of eggs. Good nests are a guarantee of increased egg production of chickens.
Setting up a run in the chicken coop
Walking for poultry is important. It depends on health, growth, egg production. The ideal option is if the bird walks where it wants. But such an option can turn into a problem for the garden and ornamental plants, so many breeders organize a special fenced off area where the chicken walks as soon as it blooms.
Free-range poultry is stronger, has tasty, nutritious meat and eggs with a high content of vitamins. There are no limits to the imagination of summer residents and poultry breeders in arranging a pasture. You won’t find any kind of designs on the Internet.
The health of the bird depends on sufficient space for walking.
As can be seen from the above, building a chicken coop with your own hands is not a difficult task, but it requires patience, imagination and time for construction.
The design can be very different, as long as it is comfortable for the healthy growth and habitat of chickens.
A minimum number of calculations will help you quickly build a poultry-friendly house, fresh eggs, and delicious meat will always be on the table.
