Posts Tagged ‘coop plans’
You’ve got your coop plans but have you thought about how you are going to build chicken coop accessories?
There are many things to be aware of when you build a chicken coop. Most of your time and energy over the last few days will have been taken up with the necessary questions about light, air and protection for your flock.
But you have sorted them all out, your structure sound and easy to work with and I bet that you are just hankering to get your hens moved in and laying. I hate to rain on your parade, but have you given a thought to how you are going to build chicken coop accessories for your hen house?
It is such a relief to have finally completed the chickens new home that to find out that you now need to accessorize it can be completely frustrating! I recall thinking “how dreadful would it be if we didn’t involve a nesting box or two?” and “what the heck is a roost?”. “Why should they want a water trough or feeder? Can’t they simply eat off the floor and sleep on the ground? They are just hens after all, why should we worry with attempting to build chicken coop accessories”. There must be a reason, so I thought a bit harder.
Yes they are chickens which is exactly the reason why we have to be concerned about their needs. Chickens are animals and their needs are basic. Their instincts define their needs and that is to eat, sleep and nest where they are safe. Easy Peasy. If you fancy their eggs, then you have to make them at ease so that they will happily present you those eggs with as little performance as possible.
So when you build chicken coop accessories seek to imagine that you are a tiny, almost flightless bird and ask yourself where you would feel most secure. I reckon that ‘up high’ may figure quite highly! Here is a brief run-down on the more common accessories for your coop
Nesting Boxes;
Nesting boxes are for your hens to produce their eggs in – If you thought that they were for sleeping in, you are just like I was when I first started! These can be made out of pretty well anything. Ensure that if it is made out of material that will absorb moisture or that will break down over time that you replace it on a regular basis. They can be filled with straw, paper, shavings or hay, but this also wants to be changed on a very frequent basis.
I appreciate that we inundate you with stories about chickens needing their breathing space, but when it comes to the nesting box they categorically like safety in numbers, so allocate for 4 or 5 birds per box rather than designing individual nests.
The Roost;
The roost is where the sleeping is done.
Think of the highest branch in a tree, this is the roost, so it really only wants to be a durable beam. So long as it will hold the load of the chooks and they can get their talons around it firmly most anything will do. An essential note when you build chicken coop roosts is that just as in nature, chickens will fight over the uppermost branch, so make all the roosts the same height. This is one area that your hens will love their space, so make certain that there is sufficient room on the roosts for all your hens. This will prevent major arguments and help encourage a serene atmosphere.
Heads up!; Do not set your nesting boxes or any other accessories under your roosts! Hens do the majority of their defacating while they snooze – and I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be that keen on producing an egg in a dirty nesting box!
Feeders and Waterers;
Pretty obvious – there are a excellent range of automated systems around that will ensure that your chooks have a complete stream of fresh food and water.
Sand Baths;
Sand Baths are pretty well the only indulgent item’ in the house. Most people put sand in the bottom when they build chicken coop runs – which acts as flooring as well.
Heaters;
If you reside in extremely cold areas then these might be installed in your enclosure with relative ease. There are a lot of heaters available, but many also create a huge fire hazard so installing a heater in your house should really only be done if totally necessary.
For a great selection of hen house plans – including accessories that will save you time and money head to www.HenHousePlansOnline.com
http://bit.ly/Chicken_Coop_Plans I bought the “Chicken DIY guides” Chicken Coop Plans so I could show you what you will get if you decide to buy one for yourself. These are very simple to build chicken coop plans with complete instructions for several different styles and sizes of chicken coops.
Duration : 0:5:2
http://www.BuildYourCoop.com The number one best selling book on how to build a chicken coop that includes several attractive and affordable plans. Save time and money. 60 day money back guarantee.
Duration : 0:3:42
http://www.TrustMyGuide.com/chickencoop
A chicken coop is a building where chickens are kept. Inside there are often nest boxes for egg laying and perches on which the birds can sleep, although coops for meat birds seldom have either of these features.
A coop may have an outdoor run. Both the inside and outdoor floors of a chicken coop are often strewn with a loose material such as straw or wood chips to deal with chicken droppings and to allow for easier cleanup. Most chicken coops have some means of ventilation to help air out any smells.
To learn more about Chicken Coop, please visit :
http://www.TrustMyGuide.com/chickencoop
Duration : 0:1:36
