The Perfect Portable Chicken Coop Design is the Chicken Coop Tractor

If you have to decided to raise chickens for fun or profit and you are short on available space the ideal solution may be the chicken coop tractor. Basically the tractor design is very simple but can take on a variety of different shapes and sizes. The design concept is simple just build a chicken coop without a floor and make it movable.

There are several different options when it comes to the movable part, you can have handles that extend beyond the pen and can be moved by two people. Another option is to copy the wheelbarrow design and place two wheels on the end of the pen with handles on the opposite end so when it is time to move it a single person can accomplish the task by themselves.

So you may be asking yourself why it has to be moved in the first place. Well chickens love to scratch in the grass for food and after a while the area they occupy will become over grazed, not to mention their waste matter will be there as well. However this is not a bad thing because it is a natural rich fertilizer for your yard!

Another reason a chicken coop tractor is a good idea is because if you are just starting out it is a good idea to start small and the tractor design is ideal for small groups of hens. Also you will not have to fear that predators will get to your flock because it is totally enclosed. Raising your chickens with this design is as close as you can get to a free range operation.

The chicken coop tractor design will have all the features of a large hen house with nesting areas and perches so your flock can get up off the ground, because they love to roost at night in a secure place.

As you move your pen around the property the original starting point will have time to recover so you can repeat the process over and over again. The more your flock can forage on their own the less you will need to feed them. So if you are raising hens for profit that could be a huge boost to the bottom line.

Thinking about raising your own chickens for fun or profit? Great idea! Learn how to build your own chicken shelters with a good set of chicken coop plans!
http://www.mysheddesigns.com/coops/

Small Chicken House Design - A Couple Pointers

When you live in an area with limited space or are only planning on keeping a few birds then you should consider a small chicken house design. This type of design enables you to maximize your space to chicken ratio enabling even people with small yards to keep chickens happily.
A good rule of thumb when planning out how much space your chickens need is four square feet per bird. However there are many people who raise very happy birds with sometimes as little as three square feet per bird so if you can't quite muster the recommended space don't worry about it. It is also important to realize that this rule of thumb is for ground space not airspace. Your chickens can be very content with as little as eighteen inches of vertical room so if you are trying to conserve space then your coop does not need to be excessively tall.
Keep in mind the idea behind a chicken house while you are planning your design. It should be safe and warm for the chickens while still being easy for you to clean and collect the eggs. Since you cannot walk in to the smaller coop to clean and collect eggs, hinging the roof so that you can lift it up for these duties is a good idea.
A small coop changes temperatures at a faster rate then larger ones so it is important that you place it accordingly. If your small chicken house design has a run added to it then you don't have to change much. However if your hen house does not have a run and is not large it is important to place it in the shade and clean it often so it does not overheat or build up too much moisture.
These are the main factors to take into consideration when you are making your small chicken house design. Most of the other factors like protection from predators, feeding, and watering do not change much as your chicken coop gets smaller so you can use the same guidelines outlined for larger coops.
Interested in building your own coops! Check out this excellent book!
Also check out my other articles for more information on coop building and general chicken care. My family and I have been taking care of chickens since I was a kid and I have a lot of useful knowledge to offer on the subject.

Portable and Small Chicken Coop - A Few Advantages

If you want healthy chickens along with fresh eggs, then you must provide your chickens with natural food, ample sunshine and lots of fresh air. All this can be done by constructing a mobile chicken coop for them. These are also commonly called chicken tractors. Discussed in this article are a few key advantages of keeping your chicken in a chicken tractor.
A mobile chicken coop allows your chicken a supplement diet along with exercise as they scratch the ground to search for bugs and worms to eat.
The walls and top as well as the base of a portable coop are all made of wire mesh. This allows fresh breeze to flow through, providing them with fresh air. These units may be constructed to have space for sunshine as well as shade so that the chickens are comfortable in all sorts of weather conditions.
Mobile chicken coops allow your chickens to live in a natural environment while they mesh protects them from predators such as foxes and rodents. You can make one large coop to house all the chickens and a smaller portable one that can have three or four chickens to experience the fresh air and environment turn by turn.
If you limited space in your yard, you can add an extra attachment to the portable coop that will be used for nesting and perch. With this solution, you will have three or four chickens in the yard and you will still have eggs.
Another advantage of portable chicken cops is that if your job requires regular relocation, these coops will prove to be an excellent investment. This is because they will provide all the basics which a regular chicken coop would offer.
Planning out and constructing a portable chicken coop is reasonably easier, simpler and inexpensive when compared to proper large units. Also, the time taken to build these is much more than the time it takes to build a portable one.
However, you must make sure that the mobile chicken coop you construct should follow all the requirements that are needed by chickens to remain healthy. Each chicken must have plenty of space to itself and ventilation, cleanliness and comfort are paramount when you are designing the coop. let the chickens roam around in you backyard regularly but be careful to keep an eye on them in case they are attacked by predators.
For more great tips and advice on building a small chicken coop, visit http://www.chickencoopadvice.com.

Why Build Small Chicken Coops?

A lot of people breed poultry on a large scale, which means a lot of chickens. If you are housing a lot of chickens then you'll need a large coop. But then, there are still plenty of people that breed and keep chickens on a recreational basis, which is where small chicken coops are suited. The great thing about poultry houses is that although they can be purchased ready built, they are cheap and easy to make as a DIY project.
Of course, a lot of planning goes into the design and build of all kinds of poultry housing, including small chicken coops. For a start you'll need to ensure that you have enough space to keep them. Each chicken will require about 8-9 feet of space each, so house four chickens and you'll need to be providing them with a space to roam in the region of 35-40ft.
The quality of the build is absolutely essential. Small chicken coops are actually easier to build, so there should be no problem here. Ensure that the coop is completely secure; in other words, ensure that no predators will be able to gain access. You can do this by ensuring that all items in the coop are secure and only use the best materials. When building small chicken coops, remember to build it in such a way that it will keep the chickens dry, but also, is extremely well ventilated.
By ensuring that the chickens are safe and also happy in their environment, egg production is likely to be a lot higher. Failure to meet the above criteria could result in the chickens becoming extremely ill and possibly lead to their death.
Grant Draper
Find out more about Small Chicken Coops to How to Build a Chicken Coop

Small Chicken Coop Plans and Designs Ideal For a Simple Construction Project

Small chicken coop plans are mostly easy to build and require a minimum amount of money and time to finish. Here, we present some design ideas based on simple construction plans.
Plan 1
You're going to need chicken wire or wire mesh, wood and a tarp. The size of the wire mesh would depend on how small or big you want your coup to be. Old wire fences and scrap wood can be used if you don't want to spend too much money on materials.
Create a framing using wood. Your shape can be square or you can make it igloo-like. If it's the former, create a wood foundation and cover the open spaces with the wire mesh.
If it's to be an igloo-shaped coop, bend the wire mesh in the shape of an inverted letter U and anchor it on the ground with wood. Use a tarp to cover part of the coup, but with enough space to let the air in and out. Tarp covering allows for flexibility; you can cover a bigger area when it rains or remove it during good weather.
Plan 2
If you want a mobile coup, use a wagon-based construction design. You can use an old wagon or build one yourself. Wooden wagon with a handle and one wheel in front and two wheels at the back would be best.
The wood wagon would serve as the flooring. Use wire mesh to cover all four sides. You can also use it on the roof and just use tarp as top covering or install an aluminum or wooden roof.
Anchor the wagon on the ground so that it doesn't wobble or you can create locks for the three wheels. Anytime you want to move the coop from one place of the backyard to another, you just grab the handle and drag it to where you want it to go.
Plan 3
Some of the simplest coup designs make use of pre-built dog houses. They are either attached to a wire mesh to create duplex-like coops or are used as stand alone structures.
Inside the dog house, put perches, nests, water and feed containers and other necessities for the chickens. Use a wooden plank to provide a catwalk so that chickens can climb up to the elevated house or climb down to the ground.
These small chicken coop plans have simple designs and are quite easy to build. Construction details are not too complicated to follow and money would not be a problem since they do not require you to spend much.
You will find more Chicken Coop Ideas and consumer reports on the best chicken building guides available at http://www.diybuildchickencoop.com

Weekend DIY Project - Build a Small Chicken Coop

Whether you have a large flock of chickens or plan to keep only a few birds, it is always best to build them a chicken house. Even if you decide to keep only a few birds, you will still have to build a small chicken coop. The coop will provide shelter to your birds and keep them safe from predators. Building a small chicken house can be a do-it-yourself project for the weekend.
Chickens need 3-5 square feet of space each. If they get too crowded, they could easily get sick. Determine how big your chicken house should be, based on the number of birds you are going to raise. Decide on the design of your coop and make a drawing of the plan. You can also look for a simple chicken coop design on the internet.
Go over the plan and make sure it is easy enough to follow and has all the necessary elements that a chicken pen should have. Even if you are only planning to build a small chicken coop, there are essential elements that must be present.
Make sure your chicken house design includes a nesting area with boxes. Four to five birds can share one box. Provide a roosting pole where the birds can perch while they sleep. You should be able to clean out the coop easily, and it should also be easy to collect the eggs.
Assemble all the materials you need to make the chicken coop before you start building. Visit secondhand shops and see if they have materials that you can use for your coop. Make sure your materials are sturdy enough to keep predators out.
Don't forget to have all the tools you will need to build the chicken pen at hand. By having all your materials and tools ready, you will be able to finish your work quickly. A small chicken coop is something you can build over the weekend and is a very cheap alternative to buying a pre-made hen house.
Do you need a low cost backyard chicken coop? Learn how to build one yourself for pennies on the dollar! Click Here.

Small Chicken Coop Plans - A DIY Guide

Not everyone needs a massive, traditional hen house, and if you're looking to keep just a couple of chickens in your backyard there is absolutely no need to build one. The internet can provide you with an assortment of small chicken coop plans. This article explains the 2 most popular types, and helps you get started with building right away.
The A-Frame Chicken Coop
This is the most basic, common type of small chicken coop. Plans can be found in your local hardware store, or downloaded from the internet. The design consists of around 12 lengths of treated pine or cedar. Chicken wire is "wrapped" around the frame, which makes for a safe, secure coop. Of course, it's not quite as simple as that, but hopefully you get the drift.
Advantages of building this kind of chicken coop are that it's portable, reasonable attractive, and kid-proof. You can even attach a few bits of plywood to enclose one end, effectively making a separate nesting area. This will boost your egg yields significantly, as the chickens will be more relaxed when nesting.
The Chicken Ark
This model of chicken coop is becoming a lot more popular in recent years. It's only slightly more complex than the a-frame coop, but provides your flock with a lot of extra space. It generally utilizes 2 floors - downstairs for grazing, and upstairs for laying.
As previously stated, this design isn't too complex, but will require more lumber, chicken wire, and plywood. You'll also want to give it a paint, as there is much more exposed wood, which may not look too pretty.
Inexpensive Construction Materials
You'll be happy to hear that there are plenty of ways to minimize construction costs. Most small chicken coop plans will include some kind of guide on this as well. Be sure to ask neighbors for any scrap wood or wire they may have. Also think about any old furniture that can be broken down into pieces. Be creative!
To download some great small chicken coop plans, check out this Chicken Coop Plans website now.

Portable and Small Chicken Coop

Benefits of Building Portable Chicken Coops

It is easy to construct a small chicken coop that is portable so that you can move it around in your yard. Look for plans for chicken coops online and you will find a multitude of options to choose from.
A major benefit of having a portable chicken coop is that when you move it around in your yard, you are fertilizing your yard, along with offering your chickens a feast of bugs, weeds and other insects.
Mobile chicken coops provide easy access when you want to collect eggs and you can also place them where you can watch over them to keep them safe from predators. They will have access to fresh air and you can also put the coop under a tree in the shade on hot summer days.
These coops are great for children because they can feed the chickens with ease and also look for their eggs. Simply build an average sized coop and house a small number of chickens when you begin to raise them. They are inexpensive and are typically small or medium in size.
As chickens are so prone to falling prey to predators such as rodents, foxes and other domestic animals, the coop you build must be strong enough to withstand them. You can also put wire fencing around, even on the bottom, to keep these predators from digging their way through the ground and reaching your chicken. Secure the coop with to make sure the chicken stay inside at night.
Chicken enjoy being able to freely roam around a large area and setting them free in your yard will be a good idea. This way, they will be able to find worms, weeds and more insects to consume. However, clip off their flight feathers to ensure that they don't fly away and make certain that you have a wire mesh guarding your entire backyard to stop them from escaping and also to keep predators from getting to them.
Before you start making a portable or small chicken coop, you must be aware of the local rules and regulations for housing chickens in your yard. The portable or small chicken coop must abide by the regular requirements such as constructing with proper dimensions in accordance with the quantity of chickens you intend to have. It is always a good idea to have a look at chicken coops plans and designs beforehand so that you have a proper idea of what is needed.
To Learn more about Small Chicken Coop, please visit http://www.chickencoopadvice.com.

Small Chicken Coops - Tips to Help You Choose the Right Coop

If you are intending to buy any of the small chicken coops available to keep some hens in your garden there are a number of things you need to be aware of. As you will soon discover they come in a variety of different styles and designs. But there are certain rules which you will need to follow to ensure that you chickens remain happy and healthy in theirs.
Below we offer a few tips on what to do when owning small chicken coops to ensure that you look after then hens in yours well.
Tip 1 - Make sure that the chickens have plenty of space. If you really want to keep your hens happy and ensure that they lay plenty of eggs than each one will need between 6 and 8 square feet of space to live in. So if you only have 20 sq ft of space available in your garden for a chicken coop then only keep 2 to 3 hens in it.
Tip 2 - You need a coop that will not only provide your chickens with plenty of fresh air but will keep them dry. Remember at night your hens will be bedding down for the night in the coop to ensure that they are protected not just from the weather but from predators as well. The coop should have plenty of ventilation points around it that are kept safe through a strong wire mesh covering them. As well as the air holes allowing fresh oxygen into the coop it helps to prevent excess moisture, carbon dioxide and ammonia building up inside. If these are allowed to accumulate they can result in health problems for your hens.
For FREE Tips and advice about how to buy Chicken coops Visit Chicken Coops For Sale
Chicken coop designs, plans and tips http://chickencoopsforsale.com

Walk-In Chicken Coops - Why-Ever Not?

One of the bugs in many small chicken-coop designs is that although the chickens can get in and out with the greatest of ease, the same cannot be said for the chickens' owner. Bending, stretching, balancing on one foot to get the eggs out... all this before breakfast, of course... Cleaning out and disinfecting is also quite an effort, especially in the rain.
The answer is simple although at first glance it might look a little outrageous if you only have a few chickens: the walk-in chicken coop.
But it's not so outrageous. All you are doing is adding a few feet in height to a regular-sized small hen-house. It doesn't take up any more space on the ground, it just gets taller.
Chickens do not much mind how high their roof is so long as they have got one. Flying up eight or ten feet into the air to reach their roosts would be a bit much but if you just put the roosting perches and nesting boxes at normal height (for chickens) and build the rest of the coop tall enough for you to walk into, they will be perfectly happy and comfortable. You can collect your eggs fully protected from the weather, and clean the place out with a broom and hose in comparative comfort.
It is even possible to have a mobile walk-in chicken coop! There's glory for you!
The problem is that even if you have enough space, pre-manufactured walk-ins are expensive, and good designs for a DIY walk-in chicken coop are not so easy to find. Either design it yourself if you're good at 3 dimensions, or find a link to existing chicken-coop designs and adjust the nearest to suit your own height.
You can get to a cheap-and-cheerful chicken-coop-design download by following this link to Squidoo and then going straight to the 'chicken coop plans and step-by-step instructions' link in the first paragraph. The sales page people do special offers of various kinds but you just want the cheapest basic download.
Harriet Shead likes nearly all chickens, especially Orpingtons, but is a lot fussier about chicken coops.

Types of Small Chicken Coop Plans

Not all of us need a palatial chicken house. The size of your coop should always depend how big your backyard is and of course how many chickens you are planning to raise. If you want to raise 5 or less chickens then a small coop will do.
There are plenty of small chicken coop plans out there and it might be confusing on your part especially if you're a beginner.
One of the most popular small chicken coop plans is the A-frame chicken coop. You can easily build this coop in one day. Make sure it is well ventilated so that you won't have to worry about your chickens suffocating especially during the summer when it can be so hot. Try to search for a guide that includes how to build nesting boxes as well.
Most designs for the A-frame consist of 12 lengths of treated pine or cedar and chicken wire is encircled on the frame. This will make your coop safer and more secure. This is popular among hobbyists because it is attractive, kid-proof and portable.
The Chicken Arc is also one of the most popular when it comes to small chicken coop plans. It's a little bit more complicated than the A-frame but it's not that too difficult to build either. What I like about this design is that it provides extra space and it generally has 2 floors. You use the floor downstairs for grazing and then laying for upstairs. You will need more lumber, wire and plywood for this design. Paint the exposed woods to make it look pretty.
To view small chicken coop plans, feel free to stop by http://cheapestwebdeals.com/chicken-coop.php

Chicken Coops: 45 Building Plans for Housing Your Flock

Makes a great addition to any basement, bar area or game room!
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How to Build Poultry Houses, Chicken Cages And Chicken Coop Plans

These guides can teach you the basics of raising chickens, poultry housing and layout. These books cover everything from where on the property to build, to material, feeding and more.
Not only do you get chicken coop plans but also ideas for incubation, cleaning, feeding and much more.

If you are looking for some great plans, from small to large - stationary to portable - home cages to commercial coops, these are very informative and instructive books.
There are 4 complete books in total! Titles included are...

Farm Poultry Houses
Chicken House Plans
Poultry House Construction
Vintage Poultry Houses
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How to Build Animal Housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds, Pens, Nestboxes, Feeders, Stanchions, and Much More

Cows and horses, donkeys and mules, sheep and goats, pigs and fowl, even llamas are living on small farms and in backyard barnyards throughout the United States. But how and where are these critters being housed?

Author Carol Ekarius knows. In How to Build Animal Housing, she provides dozens of plans--with illustrated, step-by-step instructions--for species-specific shelters that are well ventilated, safe, appropriate for the animals, appealing, convenient, and a solid value for their owners.

The book is essential reading for anyone interested in animal health and welfare. It includes complete plans and step-by-step, illustrated instructions for sheds, coops, hutches, multipurpose barns, and economical easy-to-build windbreaks and shade structures. Ekarius covers new high-tech, portable structures made of plastics and fabrics, such as hoop houses and hen spas, as well as more traditional alternatives, such as straw-bale structures. Always practical, she enumerates the advantages and disadvantages of ready-to-build kits and modular barnyard buildings and includes designs for watering systems, feeders, chutes, stanchions, and more--the essentials that help owners keep their animals healthy and happy.

Ekarius wisely emphasizes the importance of careful planning, choosing an appropriate housing site, and complying with local zoning regulations; pest control, basic housing maintenance, and insurance costs are also discussed. Real-world advice from farmers and veterinarians on the types of housing and facilities animals like best enliven the text throughout.

How to Build Animal Housing is the most comprehensive and useful guide of its kind. For small-scale farmers, hobby farmers, do-it-yourselfers, and animal lovers, this book is indispensable.
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The Small Chicken Coop

The Advantages of Small Chicken Coops
Nowadays, an increasing number of people are becoming interested in building chicken coops, and with new plans and designs for DIY coops becoming available in the market, you can choose specific features and create a coop that is custom made for your own personal requirements. For starters, however, it is always a better idea to make a smaller chicken coop first and then upgrade to a larger one with more chickens after they have gained some experience. Here are a few reasons why building a small chicken coop is better than a large one.
Lower Building Material Costs
Everyone wants to get the most out of the smallest amount of investment. The basic reason why you must opt for a small coop over a large one is the lower cost of material needed to construct the coop. Furthermore, maintenance will also cost much less for a small coop and you will soon realize that smaller coops will save you quite a lot of money initially. Also, a smaller coop will be ready in lesser time and it will also need less effort, so you may want to consider keeping a small coop instead of a large one.
Maintenance
Maintenance is also much easier for a small chicken coop. You will be able to clean the coop regularly and quickly with ease, and this is definitely a better option for you if you want to keep the chicken coop as a side project and not a full-time one. If the coop is small, it will take less time to clean, and you will have more time to spend on other activities or work.
Portability
Lastly, smaller chicken coops have an advantage over large ones in terms of mobility. If you move a lot, it will be a much lesser hassle to have a small coop. Another advantage of a small coop is that you can move it around in your backyard so that the grass doesn't become dry. The chickens will also enjoy searching for weeds and bugs and other insects in the ground. Also, you can move the coop to place it in sunlight or even in the shade of a tree, giving you endless options for placement.
an increasing number of individuals are choosing small coops over large ones so consider your requirements and find out the most suitable option for your needs. Remember, the security and comfort of your chickens is of utmost importance, and whatever design you choose must fulfill their needs for comfort as much as yours.
If you enjoyed reading this article, and for more great information on Small Chicken Coop, visit http://www.chickencoopadvice.com.

Planning Small Chicken Coops

Raising your own chickens can be very rewarding and a lot of fun. Not to mention the fresh and free eggs you'll be getting every day! If you're only planning on keeping a few chickens in your back garden then small chicken coops may be perfect for you. However, when trying to come up with a small chicken coop design you need to keep in mind a few different points to make sure that you build a coop that is both suitable for yours and the chicken's needs.
1. The first thing you need to remember is that because you'll be using a small coop you obviously won't be able to keep as many chickens. In general a chicken requires 4 ft.² of space inside the coop so this should provide you with a good estimate of how many chickens you'll be able to keep.
2. Think about the size of your garden and try factor in the fact that small chicken coop plans usually don't include a run. You will need to provide your chickens with an area outside of the coop for them to run around in.
3. Even if you're building small chicken coops for your garden in an urban area you will still need to make sure that the design is strong enough to stand against potential predators such as urban foxes.
When learning how to build a small chicken coop it's important to take these factors into account so that you can be sure your chickens will be safe as well as happy.
Using professional coop designs is not only a great way to save time but will also ensure your chickens are safe and happy. If you'd like to download some great small coop plans instantly to your computer then please visit http://diybuildachickencoop.info.

How to Build a Small Chicken Coop - Step by Step

Any person who raises chickens realizes the importance of building a good chicken coop. A chicken coop is essentially a makeshift habitat for your chicken, where they will live, eat, sleep, and lay eggs. They also serve to protect chickens against both predators as well as against inclimate weather. Of course you will always find that there are those people who say that keeping chickens confined in coops is unethical and that they should be allowed to remain free, outdoors, at all times. But if you are in the business of raising chickens to produce eggs then you need to keep them healthy, well-fed, and safe, all three objectives of which are met if you have a good chicken coop set up.

So do you think that you are handy enough that you could learn how to build a small chicken coop, step by step, on your own? This, as opposed to buying a pre-built coop?

Well, here is a brief overview of the step-by-step process you would need to follow to plan, design, construct, and maintain a small chicken coop all by yourself:

1. Decide how many chickens you intend to house at any one time. Based on this, you need to allow for about 4.5 square feet of space per chicken. You also need space for nests. The bare minimum, if you are looking to cut corners and have the chickens time share the nests to have 3 nests for every 8 chickens. You also should be prepared to provide at least 9 inches of perch length for each and every chicken.

2. Decide on a layout. Where will the nests be? Where will perches be? Where / how will the chickens get access to their food supply and to their water supply? How will you gain access to the coop to clean out the animal waste? Will the chicken be able to enter and exit from the coop into a small yard area to get some occasional exercise?

3. Decide on whether you want the coop to be portable, on wheels, or not, and try to assess how portable you expect to be.

4. Select the materials you will use. This depends on how portable you expect the coop to be. If it is going to be stationary, you are encouraged to use a wood frame, wire meshes for the walls, and aluminum or steel for the roof. If it going to be mobile, you are better off using lighter materials like PVC pipes for the frames and you should build the roof and walls from tarp.

5. Begin construction of the chicken coop according to your design specifications.

How to build a small chicken coop if you have the carpentry skills, as long as you can follow the design specifications that you have chosen.

Raising chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience, but knowing how to raise them can be a challenge sometimes. Check out my website if you want to learn more about raising chickens and how to build a small chicken coop step by step. Another great resource that I have found for building a small chicken coop step by step can be found HERE.

Small Chicken Coop

Raising chickens is a rewarding past-time that can be performed anywhere in the world, no matter what type of environment you live in. You can get a regular supply of fresh eggs that you know won't contain any sort of chemicals or unnatural hormones. Even if you live in an urban environment and had thought that you didn't have the space or the right sort of facilities, chances are good that if you use a small chicken coop you can easily raise chickens of your own.

Of course, this means you won't be able to raise as many birds as maybe you'd like to, but you can still raise one or two chickens even if you live in cramped suburbia, just as long as you have at least a small patch of grass or dirt for them to stretch their legs on. There's a difference, after all, between a small chicken coop and a cramped one.

The basic space requirements for your birds should be as follows:

* At least 4 square feet of space per bird in the coop itself.

* At least 10 square feet of space per bird in the "chicken run," or outside section of the coop.

* At least 9 horizontal feet of perch space for your chickens to sleep on.

Keep these space requirements in mind, and you can ensure that your hens will lay plenty of eggs. Stressed birds will lay fewer eggs, and cramped birds are stressed birds, so that's why this is important even when building a small chicken coop.

Some Design Ideas

In essence, what you will be building is a regular-sized chicken coop, only scaled down to house two or three birds instead of a whole flock. You'll still want to follow all the tips and tricks of designing and building a home for your chickens.

For example:

* Include adequate ventilation - Adding a window to your coop's design will make sure your birds get fresh air and stay healthy. Chickens don't like to be too hot or too cold, and ventilation will keep them comfortable.

* Build a perch - When they sleep, chickens like to be able to perch off the ground for safety in the wild. It's no different in captivity, so make sure they have somewhere they can feel safe while sleeping.

* Try adding a nesting box - Nesting boxes can encourage your hens to lay eggs in one place, which makes it much easier for you to collect them. This will also encourage some chickens to lay in the first place, as they will feel safer in the box.

In a small chicken coop, of course, you will also want to limit size. Don't go overboard and add all the convenient features you can think of. It is a good idea to be able to get into the coop yourself, though, as this makes cleaning much easier.

For construction materials, if your coop is outside you'll want to make sure that the walls are constructed of something solid that your birds can feel safe in. Coops with walls entirely of wire are not usually a good idea, as it will stress out your chickens. However, wire is good for keeping the external runs safe from predators, so don't discount that out of hand, either.

Kor Rassad is a chicken coop enthusiast. For more great tips and advice on small chicken coop, visit http://www.chickencoopadvice.com.

Building a small chicken coop- Learn and build yourself!

Could you ever imagine building a small chicken coop by your own hands? If not then may be now you could consider doing it.  Building a chicken coop is an e- book created by Bill Keene which guides you how to make a chicken house.  Whether you want to raise just one chicken or over 50 chickens, the plans given in this e- book would suit you.  So if you are a poultry enthusiast, this e- book may be something that you have desired for a long time.  By building a chicken house, you could keep it as a pet and raise healthy hens.

To be clear, this book gives plans which are easy to understand.  With simple to follow language and attractive diagrams given in this book, the whole process of building chicken coops would become interesting and uncomplicated for you. Great thing is that in just 3 days, you would be able to build the entire coop as guaranteed by the book ‘building a chicken coop’.  This project is completely do- it- yourself which is why you must prepare yourself mentally before buying this e- book.  So if you are considering building a small chicken coop here are 3 packages from which you could choose one for yourself.

First package offered is called chicken coop package which has about 50 designs, a forum membership plus 8 e- books for proper guidance about houses and chickens. The second package called raising chickens gives a special guide book from which you could learn building backyard chicken coop in 3 days time. Free e- books and forum membership is also offered in this package. Third package is the complete chicken package which contains maximum number of offerings. It gives you 160 page guide for raising chicken, a dictionary to learn chicken vocab, lifetime updates, 50 designs book and so much more.

Once you download the package out of these three, you could immediately get access to the designs. You can read the pages, download them and do anything with them. The USP of this program is that it follows simple language. Since you have to make the cook yourself so the whole process must be written step by step. This has been taken care of in it plus every little detail makes the entire process highly interesting. You would be happy to hear that no special tools are required in making chicken coops.

You can download this e- book at any time of year. All you have to do is to open their official website and register yourself. Book the product online. You would receive this product online only through the e- mail your provide them. In any case, if you are not content with this product then you are free to return it back in 60 days. Basically, in just few days you could learn about chickens, build a small chicken coop and give a chance to enhance your own creativity. So do build chicken house.

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Building Mobile Chicken Coop

Building a mobile chicken coop is not an easy job, especially when you are a beginner.  Everything from size to material and from designing to expenditure matters while making the final plan of structure of the house for chickens.  Bill Keene has come up with an e- book which serves the purpose of building chicken house on your own.  It gives proper guidelines and instructions step by step so that the maker could create a wonderful chicken house.

First thing that is catchy about this e-book is that it gives different designs. These have been set according to the needs of hens.  Since they need warmth in cold and space to move, spacious home designs have been planned in this book. Poultry enthusiasts would be delighted to see the complete structure design that they could build for their pets.  As many as 50 chickens could accommodate in the designs given in Building a mobile chicken coop.  The advantage over self made chicken coop is that it costs less then a pre- made chicken coop.  Even though the process of making it could be a bit difficult for beginners; it is so much worth it being so original.

While choosing your design, if you are a beginner then go for the one which is easy to make yet looks good.  Also, time management is essential so do as directed in this e- book for building hen house.  Bill has offered step by step procedure of creating building designs for chicken coops.  Basic tools are required to make the house so you do not have to worry about your construction skills.  All the guidelines for making portable coop, mid- sized one or a premium large chick coop have been provided in this book alone.

Tips to choose materials and building site have also been advised by the book ‘building a chicken coop’.  Plus, in one of the bonus e-books offered by the package of building chicken coop helps you to learn everything about chickens. All about their breeding, feeding, nature, health care, etc have been covered in the package so that you could be a good pet care taker. The entire house plan has been designed taking care of the arrangements for proper protection of chicks in extreme weather situations.

The entire program costs $30 and could be downloaded from the internet. If in any case you are not satisfied with Building A Chicken Coop, you can get 100% money back in time span of 60 days.

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Building a Chicken Coop- An Introduction

Building a Chicken Coop is a job that requires common sense and creativity. One has to take care of the temperature, light, food and so much more when it comes to keeping chicks. This is why while designing a chicken coop, one must consider all the facts. However, now you do not have to think of all the designing by yourself as Bill Keene has created an e- book called ‘building a chicken coop’ which has all the details about designs and instruction for keeping as much as 50 chicks.

The primary agenda while planning out the design of chicken coop is to ensure chick’s safety and comfort level. This is why this e- book gives details about everything that may come up in your mind while designing chicken coop. When you read this e- book, you will realize that everything from material stuff and sizes of coops have been discussed in it. Raising chickens is a tough job which is why this e- book could be highly reliable.

The whole package of building a chicken coop contains up to 50 design plans. As for options, you could choose from 3 packages. In the chicken coop package, one can avail 50 plans, design guides and forum membership. Also, you are offered 8 free e- books. Then the other plan is ‘raising chickens package’. In this one you could learn to build chicken coops in just 3 days. This guide book is of 160 pages. It is purely based on information and facts regarding chicken’s raising. You can learn what to feed them, how to feed them and so on. This package includes 8 free e- books and forum membership as well. The third and final package is called ‘the complete chicken package’. This one contains 50 design plans for homes of chicks, 160 page bible of raising chicks, dictionary for chicken vocab, lifetime updates, forum membership and priority services. So according to your preferences and choices, you can choose your own package out of these three.

The makers of this e- book claims that this book is all that one requires to build a beautiful home for chickens. The plans designed for chicken coops are easy to follow and simple to build. As for features, this e- book consists of plans which require no special tools to make home. Also with detailed diagrams, you would not get confused while making it. You could copy pages as many you like from the book. The homes would guaranteed be portable plus premium and mid- sized.

100% satisfaction is guaranteed with Building a Chicken Coop e- book. You would be guided about chickens in a great way. This program could be downloaded from internet through the official website of building chicken coop. You can build a chicken coop with your own hands saving hundreds of dollars. Good thing is that this package would cost just $40 which is quite less to know so much about chickens. So do not wait and buy Building a Chicken Coop right away.

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Wooden Chicken Coops: 3 Important Building Factors

So you think your chicken coop project is a no-sweat one? Before you begin building your chicken’s sanctuary, take note of three important considerations. These will help you get the chicken coop that you—and your chickens—will love.

First: Size Matters

It’s doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the larger your poultry size, the bigger your chicken coop should be. Chickens should be able to move freely despite their containment. So when it comes to calculating the size of your chicken coop, keep in mind that the magic number is six square feet per chicken, and eight square feet per hen. If you are an amateur raise, however, it is always advisable to start small, and grow bigger when you get the hang of it.

Second: Get Your Materials Right

Wooden chicken coops are the most popular these days. Wooden chicken coops are made of a wooden frame, and walls made of chicken wire mesh. There are doors and windows strategically placed to facilitate ventilation and air circulation. These openings have latches to keep them closed and prevent the chickens from flying out. They are also made usually of wire mesh of a stronger type than that used for the walls.

Third: Functionality is First

The main purpose that wooden chicken coops serve is to protect your poultry against exposure to the elements, which may cause sickness, as well as against natural predators. As such, your chicken coops should primarily be strong enough to keep the chickens safe. If they are pleasing to the eyes at the same time, then so much the better.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Wooden Chicken Coops

Need help getting that wooden chicken coops project off the ground? Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Select a place to put the coop in. Remember to choose a relatively higher spot or a sloping one to avoid puddling problems especially during the wet season.

Step 2: Decide on how big your coop will be. Expert raisers recommend allotting five to 6 square feet per chicken, plus a couple more square feet for nesting hens.

Step 3: Put your plan on paper. Never go straight to constructing without having a sound and nice written plan. Sketch a place where you want to put the door and the windows in. Make sure the windows are on the side that faces the south. This will ensure sufficient air circulation during the simmer and enough light on the winter. Your map should also include how the inside of your chicken coop will look like. Don’t forget the nesting area and about six to 10 inches per chicken of space to perch on.

Step 4: Begin constructing your wooden chicken coops. Start with the wooden frame, following your sketch. Make sure that the roof is tilted a bit so water will not collect atop it. And the doors and windows are securely covered with chicken wire. Make sure to have a latch for the doors as well.

Step 5: Once the nest boxes and perches are in their proper places, it’s time for the finishing touches. Take your waterers and feeders, and hang them at a height up to the chickens’ back. Chickens always have the urge to scratch, and keeping the water and food away from their scratching reach will ensure that your chickens always have a clean and ample supply of food and water.

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How to Evaluate Chicken Coops for Sale

There are many different justifications for a poultry raiser to invest in good-quality chicken coops for sale. Among these reasons is the ease with which a growing poultry may be managed. Imagine if a 100-animal poultry farm would allow all the chickens to roam free. Keeping track of the animals and feeding them would be very challenging.

Traditional poultry raisers may argue that chicken houses always worked. However, in this day and age, when the need to maximize available space is affecting all projects, many modern poultry raisers are finding bigger value in investing in smaller, movable chicken coops. These coops are portable, in that they can be set out on the ground so chickens can feed on earth insects, and then moved on to other areas if need be.

But the most important reason for investing in chicken coops is the protection that they provide to your chickens. There are two main enemies that you should protect your chickens against: the elements, and their predators.

Predators, especially in rural areas, can be a challenging problem because chickens are natural temptations for such animals as dogs, rodents and foxes. Typically, chicken wire or wire mesh is sufficient to keep them out. But the frame has to be sturdy enough to withstand impact or attacks. The wire walls should also be securely fastened to their frames.

When it comes to protecting against the weather, chicken coops are required to be well ventilated so the inside remains dry at all times. Cold weather should not worry you too much as long as the coop is warm and dry inside. Otherwise, your chickens could be in danger of growing sick.

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Where to Buy Wholesale Chicken Coops

What is a chicken coop for? The answer is simple: chicken coops are for keeping chickens in. And they are not just a box or slapdash structure. On the contrary, poultry raisers invest in their chicken coops because they are important factors in raising healthy and profitable chickens. A chicken coop, for starters should be able to protect its inhabitants from attackers such as foxes and rodents. At the same time, the structure should also be sound enough to withstand the elements, especially in the face of strong winds, raging storms, even extreme cold and warmth.

But protection is only one part of the equation. A healthy chicken coop should also be constructed in a way that sufficiently allows ventilation. Efficient air circulation prevents dampness from settling inside the coop and making the chickens sick. The chicken coop should be easy to maintain so that it is always dry.

If you are planning to raise a large poultry, it is best to buy wholesale chicken coops. This way, you will be able to plan and properly plot your coop layout because the coops are uniform in design, shape and size. The only challenge in this case is calculating how many chicken coops you will need to keep your number of chickens comfortable. According to experts, the best formula is six square feet for every chicken, and eight square feet for every hen, since the latter has to have room to best and raise its chicks. Check the area of the coop that you are interested in and do the math against the number of chickens that you plan to raise to find how many coops you will have to spend on.

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Top Three Tips for Buying Chicken Coops

Buying chicken coops is not an easy task.  Aside from the wide array of models and dimensions that you can take your pick from, there are also the following factors that you should keep in mind:

First: Do you want a raised chicken coop or one that rests on the ground?

Your answer to this question should be based on how large your available space is. Go for the raised one if space is an issue so you can make use of the area underneath the chicken coops.

Second: What level of protection will your poultry require?

While it is true that chicken coops in general are supposed to protect chickens, there are also different levels of protection depending on how sturdy the materials and construction are. Choose a low-security chicken coop if your area is relatively safe from predators. On the other hand, choose a high-security chicken coop for areas that are exposed to predators and harsh weather conditions.

Third: How is the weather condition in your area?

The weather condition will dictate how much ventilation your chicken coop will require in order to keep your chickens healthy and strong while living in it. If your area is prone to extreme weather conditions, it is best to make sure that your coop has enough windows and other openings to let air and sunlight in. This will ensure that the chicken coop remains dry and comfortable for your chickens to live in. Otherwise, your chickens will suffer the health consequences of being exposed to dampness or too much heat.

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Chicken Coop Designs – Things To Consider

Not all chickens are made equal, and similarly, neither are all chicken coop. When planning out your chicken coop designs, there are plenty of things you wish to consider, for instance, how many chickens have you got, what are these chickens for, are they going to be pets, what sort of accommodations does the chickens have, how are you going to get to the eggs?

All these are highly good questions, which has got to be answered right before you commence building your chicken shack. The number of chickens that you can keep is only prohibited by the dimensions of your yard. You can keep five, or you can keep twenty-five ; however you have to build a coop that can accommodate the amount of chickens you plan on having.

If the chicken coop plans you build is not enough, then the chickens will become stressed and pissed off that will impact on their laying patterns. If you are raising chickens just for their eggs, then you definitely don’t have to interrupt their habits, because this can make you lose the revenues you make from them, as well as a decent food supply for yourself. There are three basic sorts of chicken shack you can build, and they are little , medium, and big . You’ll decide to build your coops in two alternative ways.

The primary way, is to build it with an A-shaped roof. A-Shaped roofs are and example of decent chicken coop designs because they will last for a bit longer, and they are going to permit rain and snow to run off the top. The disadvantage is they seem to be a bit costly and need rather more wood.

Another advantage of having an A-Shaped roof is the chickens won’t be hitting the ceiling quite as much. You’ll also build a roof that is flat, though it’ll collect more snow and rain, this creates a likelihood of roof collapse, though it is cheaper. To ward off the roof collapse, the public build the flat roof at an angle, but this involves building your coop at an angle too which is a bore in itself.

Small Coops : Little chicken shed Designs are idea for folk that only need to keep two or three chickens. These may consist of a small fenced in enclosure, with a tiny indoor area that sleeps two or three chickens. These are relatively inexpensive and are often for pet chickens.

Medium Coops : These are a bit bigger as far as chicken coop designs go, and they’re customarily for housing 5-10 chickens. They can be converted from an old shed, or made from nothing but they have matching basic makeup as the little chicken coop designs.

Big Coops : This is for an individual that goes all out on their chickens, falling just short of building a total warehouse in their honor.

Occasionally these coops will appear to be chicken condos or castles, and the chickens customarily enjoy living in these. They consist of the enormous coop, and the fenced in area, which customarily is just as massive. For some chicken coop plans, if you would like fast access to the eggs, you can build a strategy to retrieve the eggs without ever going into the coop. Such a thing would be a door on the outside that opens up into the nesting boxes. Just don’t forget to go in there frequently to check on the conditions of the coop.

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Chicken Coop Plans

If you are building your own chicken coop then it is best to work from a set of tried and tested chicken coop plans rather than making it up as you go. If you have a set of plans and checklist of required materials you are going to save a lot of time and money.

There are many things to take into account before you even start building your chicken coop or even deciding on which chicken coop plans you intend to build from.  You need to decide on how many chickens you intend to start out with and also how many you would ideally like to keep once you are up and running and confident with your chicken keeping.  My suggestion is that you start off with two hens until you are sure you have everything under control.  Once you are happy that you are keeping happy and healthy chickens, you could comfortably keep around six chickens without much fuss.  This is the amount most backyard chicken coops house.

Another thing you should do is survey your back yard and decide where you are going to put your chicken coop.  This is not a huge issue because my suggestion is that you build a chicken coop that can be easily moved but as long as you have room for it then it is fine.  Its great to have a movable one because the chicken poop is great for your lawn so moving it about will spread the goodness all over your yard.  It also allows the chickens to peck at new grass and bugs in the lawn.

Handy Tip: Convenient access to fresh water is important.

There are very specific requirements that your hen house must meet for your chickens to be healthy and happy egg layers.  This includes requirements for perching, lighting, nest boxes.  For example, As a rule, 6 egg layers require approximately 9 square feet (1 sq. meter) of nesting space.

One set of chicken coop plans that I think is ideal for everyone starting out in chicken raising is the 6 Chicken Double Decker Coop Plans. It has the full supplies list for the project with full step by step, easy to understand instructions and photographs that take you through each stage of the project.  It covers framing, interior, exterior, netting and covers plenty of hints and tips and even comes with some fantastic chicken care bonuses.

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Hazardous Chicken Coop Designs

Here's an excellent article I found at chickencoopplansblog.com regarding 'hazardous' chicken coop design:

Chicken Coop Plans: Chicken Coop Hazardous

In building a chicken coop, there are several things that folk don’t take under consideration, and they are generally things that will finish up injuring their chickens in the long run. Agree with it or not, there’s much more to creating a chicken coop than just building it and inserting your chickens, so let’s look at the potential hazards in your chicken coop plans!

Low Ceiling : you will not think about this, but chickens are birds, and simply because they don’t fly well, does not imply they do not give it their best shot. Consequently, if you’ve a low ceiling, the chickens are probably going to harm themselves when they try and fly in the coop. If it is strangely low, there’s a chance the chicken will manage to break its neck. This actually isn’t something you would like to see when you come out to feed your chickens in the morning, so remember, if you’ve got to duck while basically walking around in your coop, the ceiling is too low, that’s something to consider in your Chicken Coop Plans.

Exposed Wires : Chickens need lighting fourteen hours per day to lay correctly, and for you need a heat lamp in your Chicken Coop Designs. This doesn’t mean you need to run an extension twine across your ceiling and let it sag. When you install the heat lamp, ensure that you either wire it into the ceiling, or at least fasten the core soundly to the ceiling so that your chickens don’t start running into the hanging wire. This may also bring about a problem for you when you are going in and out of the coop, so ensure you do it the right way!

Poisons : You may necessarily have some rodents rambling your coop, and while they can get exasperating, you mustn’t set out poisons, and this is for 2 reasons.

One reason is that your chickens will eat the poison and you may find them dead the following morning. There’s one other reason, and that’s even if you are smart, and put the poison out of the reach of your loved birds, the rodent that eats the poison won’t always be that far away. In truth, your chickens will probably attempt to attack declared rodent, and likely soak up the poison that way, ending with the same result.

Bad Fence Design : if you do not design your fence correctly, your chickens will finish up dead one way or another. Ensure that you build the fence from chicken wire, or run some plastic chicken wire around the base of the fence so the chickens don’t poke their head thru it and finish up getting hurt when a predator is near.

Poor Lighting : Some folks forget that chickens do need light, and have a tendency to leave the poor birds in the dark all day. This is not just negative to their health ; it also meddles with their laying habits. Ensure that you add in decent lighting when you are doing your chicken shack designs, or you could meet with catastrophic results.

Those are a few of the major flaws in Chicken Coop Plans, and hopefully by reading this article, you’ve learned to avoid them altogether, and your chickens will live a long and productive life.

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Chicken Coop Plans That Go Unnoticed

While many towns across the nation are changing their laws to permit residents to keep some chickens, some are resolutely refusing. Even if your town allows some chickens, your neighbors might not be so welcoming. In these examples, those who need to keep some hens will have to look at Chicken Coop Designs that can fool the people next door.
If you only have some hens, this is straightforward to do. There are several chicken coop designs out there that may be camouflaged as a recycling bin or other tiny structure. Even a tiny run can be designed with slats to appear like a compost bin.
Your neighbors will not have a clue! You can even select “stealth” chickens that mix in with the environment better than others. Rhode Island Reds, Red Stars or other brown chickens are better at camouflage than some of the other breeds. You’ll even consider some of the black chickens like Australorps or Jersey Giants. Another option is to plant around your chicken enclosure. You’ll be wanting to select plants that may keep your coop and run concealed year round, but that don’t provide lots of hiding places for predators. A hedge rose or other plant that you can keep trimmed may work best. Roses are also edible, so if your chickens nibble a bit, they will not be mistreated. Don’t plant round the side that faces your place so you can enjoy watching your chickens. You will need to look at Chicken Coop Designs that look more of an application shed or other structure that any one could have in their yard. Paint the exterior to match your house and make it interesting. Neighbors are typically engaged with the view out their window, so if it appears to be nice, they will not be as inclined to moan.
These “stealth” chicken sheds can essentially use a few different designs and still not alert the locals. Be certain to cover the chicken run so your hens can’t fly out and go visiting. This may also protect them from aerial predators like hawks and eagles. If the run isn’t awfully tall, ensure you can lift the covering simply to obtain access when required. Many Chicken Coop Designs include a run. This can offer you an idea of how to approach this. Hens do make a little bit of noise when they lay eggs, so if your neighbors are still not cheerful, offer to share some fresh eggs with them when your hens start to lay. They may never protest again once they’ve tasted them. If they find your chickens more enchanting, hiding your coop will not be such a problem.
They may even decide to get some themselves, and you are going to be able to recommend them on the best chicken coop designs to think about as well as on general chicken care. You may become the area chicken expert, and before you know it you may all be swapping chicken stories and egg recipes over the back fence.
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