5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Chicken Coops

How to Build a Chicken Coop - 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Chicken Coops
By Leslie Wallis

You have decided to build a chicken coop for your flock. A great decision. You can save yourself a lot of money and can customize your coop to suit your requirements. Before you start though it is wise to listen to the advice of experienced coop builders to avoid these common mistakes.

When asked about the biggest mistakes they made when building their chicken coops, chicken owners listed the following:

1. Not making the coop large enough. You may plan on only having a few chickens, but when the baby chicks come or the chicken raising addiction kicks in, you may find your chicken house too small. The recommended size is 4 square feet per bird in the coop and 10 square feet in the run for standard chickens. For bantam chickens you can get away with 1/2 of this space.


2. Not making the chicken house tall enough. It is hard to maintain your coop if you are constantly hitting your head or crouching around!


3. Not insulating or using the wrong insulation. Keep your chickens warm in the winter by insulating their coop. But don't use foam insulation. Apparently chickens like to peck at it. Who knew? Make sure your coop plans take into account your local climate.


4. Not having a poop plan! When installing the roosts it is a good idea to install poop pans below them to catch the droppings. Position the feeders and waterers so that they do not splattered. You will also need a plan to remove the poop from the coop.


5. Not putting in enough windows or big enough windows: Windows provide light and ventilation. Make sure all the windows open so that your chicks get fresh air.

I hope this give you a "heads-up" on problems to avoid when building your chicken coop. With good chicken house plans, wood, nails and a few good tools, you will be well on your way to provide a cozy home for your flock.

Leslie Wallis is a long-time gardener who has recently discovered the pleasures of raising backyard chickens. For more information on raising chickens and the best chicken house plans visit http://simplechickenhouseplans.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Leslie_Wallis
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Build-a-Chicken-Coop---5-Common-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Building-Chicken-Coops&id=3004790