Posts Tagged ‘self-sufficiency’
As part of the growing trend toward locally grown food and self-sufficiency, people living in towns and suburbs are choosing to keep chickens in their backyards. This hobby combines the enjoyment of caring for lively birds with the satisfaction of producing fresh, healthy eggs. If you’ve decided to keep poultry, you may wish purchase one of the many flat-packed chicken coops for sale online. These vary in terms of design, size and materials with some models providing better ventilation and lighting.
Certain design features can help keep your chickens happy and healthy. Look for coops with a hen house that is raised off the ground with an attached ramp to allow the birds access. This will help keep the nesting area dry and free of vermin. A pull-out tray beneath the hen house will make it easy to keep clean. A nesting box that can be accessed from outside the coop via a pull-up lid will allow you to collect eggs without disturbing the hens.
The size of coop you will need depends on how many chickens you intend to keep in it. In a coop consisting of an enclosed nesting area and a covered run, each laying hen requires about 6 square feet of space. A coop that is 6 foot long by 4 foot wide is 24 square feet and can comfortably house 4 chickens.
Pay attention to the materials description when considering a coop to purchase. Wood should be treated with a preserver to make it water-repellent and rot-resistant. Panels should have a thickness of half an inch or more to ensure that the coop is sturdy enough to withstand wind and weather. The sides of the chicken run should be covered in galvanized steel mesh to protect the birds from predators.
Adequate ventilation is very important for the health of your chickens. It allows moisture to evaporate and gases and odors to dissipate. Vents located near the roof of the nesting area will allow air to circulate without subjecting the birds to drafts.
Exposing the nesting area to light will encourage the hens to lay more and better eggs. The coop should have at least one glass or Perspex window which will provide the chickens with sunlight all year round. Ideally this should be on hinges so that it can be opened in summer for extra ventilation.
When comparing prices of chicken coops for sale, the general rule is that you get what you pay for. More expensive coops tend to be made of better materials and incorporate more features. A cheap coop that will put the health of your chickens at risk, be damaged by the weather or be invaded by vermin and predators is not a bargain. Remember that you will have to clean your coop, care for your chickens and collect eggs on a regular basis, so a coop designed with your convenience in mind is generally worth its price in the long run.
http://www.howtobuildchickencoop.info
So, you want to build a chicken coop? The best way to do this of course, is with a plan. It depends on how many chickens you want to raise and where you are in this great world of ours that you want to build your chicken coop. The book that can teach you this you can find at the url above. Also, you will find a great review of the book and a great bonus that goes great with the chicken coop book. So, if you are really interested in this, I urge you to visit the site above soon! Thanks for reading and have a great day!
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Ivan and Magda offer practical advice on a chicken hut design, feeding poultry, and what can go wrong with young goslings!
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