To build a functional hens coop is not that difficult if we can get our hands on a good guidebook that also has excellent hen house plans included. One that takes us by the hand and walk us step-by-step towards building a functional hens coop.
If you are one of those people who prefers to build his own hens coop, then you not only save a lot of money, but also enjoy the fruits of your labor by building your own. You can add in your creative juice and improvise to make your hens coop more functional. You will be the envy of family members and friends.
All the same, before you embark on a backyard project to build chickens houses for yourself, it is important that you consider these five tips.
Tip #1 – Appearance of the Hens House
The look of the hens house must be pleasant-looking and appeal to the surroundings. This is to encourage the neighbors to feel at ease with your hens house and not give them reason to complain.
Tip #2 - Design and Usability
The design of the hens coop should cater for easy cleaning and disinfecting works. The floor of the hens coop should slant towards the door for easy hosing down and prevent puddling in the coop. The doors and windows can be opened or closed as needed.
Tip #3 – Protection for the Hens
Beside the elements of weather, the hens should be safe from attacks of predators like foxes, badgers, raccoons and even dogs. Thus chickens houses should be built on a slightly higher ground to prevent sudden flooding. The whole designated area should we bounded by chicken wire which is buried a foot deep into the soil to prevent the predators digging to get in.
Tip #4 - Coop Ventilation, Light and Heat Source
At times of bad weather, the hens will be locked up in the hens coop. There must be adequate airflow throughout the coop for good ventilation. For chickens houses in colder regions, the wall of the hens house must be insulated.
For the chickens to be good layers, they should not encounter stressful environment. The hens coop should remain warm and airy so that the hens can lay lots of eggs throughout the year.
Tip #5 – Waterers and Feeders
Waterers and feeders should be placed appropriately to give easy access to your flock. A happy chickens are those that are well fed, well housed and well protected.
Given all the tips for a successful rearing of chickens, you would now have to consider what would your chickens houses be like. Whether you want to spend lots of money on ready-made coops, or buy a reasonably priced guidebook with hen house hlans and build it yourself.
My experience building my own hens house from beginning to finish has been very educational and fun. The children also lend a hand, and I am sure they too learn how to use some of the simple tools. They also learn how to use the hen house plans and make work look like fun.
Although I was not a very skilled handyman, I was willing to give it a try. What with my seven year old daughter urging me to. So I searched the internet for a good guidebook on how to build functional chickens houses. The guidebook I found, fortunately, also had a good collection of hen house plans to build sturdy chickens houses. I found the guidebook not just easy to understand, but also very user friendly. Click here http://www.squidoo.com/plans-to-build-chicken-coop for more detailed information.
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