Chicken Coop Plans - The 6 Central Elements

Building a chicken coop is a rather systematic process which you can only slightly deviate from. Regardless of whether you are planning to build a conventional coop, a free range chicken ranch, or even an A frame chicken enclosure, the fundamentals will always lie at the core which come from the chicken coop plans.

Chicken coop plans cover the entire spectrum of chicken houses, whether they are small, mobile coops or enormous chicken warehouses. However, every design comes with its own set of qualities and features that should be built to ensure the coop functions as desired. Nevertheless, these features are limited to six central elements that any coop should have regardless of their size, location, or purpose.

Materials
It is vital that you select the right kind of materials that will not be toxic to your chickens and will provide the coop with structural rigidity. It is also important that you can easily replace them in the event of damage from the weather or just simply, wear and tear.

Climate
Build for your respective climate to ensure your chickens are well insulated from either the cold or excessive heat. You also don't want to have your wood rotting, so treat your lumber to keep your coop standing.

Ventilation
Many plans tend to overlook the importance of ventilation and for that reason I urge you to plan accordingly and make sure you read the reviews on the plans you are going to use. Ventilation serves an important role in keeping the coop's air circulating well and keeps out any excess moisture or ammonia build up from the flock's feces. Sufficient ventilation should be accounted for because if you decide to overlook that aspect, you will begin to notice a direct effect on your chicken's health.

Maintenance
Depending on the size of your coop it is always important to consider how you are going to maintain and clean the coop. I would suggest using a detachable roof or a large enough side entrance where you can easily reach in to complete the routine maintenance.

Predators
Predators are the biggest threat to your chickens after hygiene and that is why you should be sure to take the necessary precautions. Netting on the top of the coop will keep out birds of prey and a deep fencing will ensure raccoons and other land animals do not dig their way into your chicken's home. Be sure to defend your chickens from the potential risk of predators by following some simple procedures outlined in most chicken coop plans on safeguarding the coop.

Mobility
Not all coops have to be mobile, however if you do decide to build a mobile coop, there are some considerations to make as well as some advantages associated with them. It allows the keeper to move the coop to a location nearer to their feed and makes cleaning the coop significantly easier than a regular, stationary coop. Always to be sure to build a mobile coop with the right chicken coop plans to get you on the right track without any issues.

Chicken coop plans [http://howtobuildachickencooptoday.com/chicken-coop-plans/] are your best friend when it comes to building a chicken coop. Be sure to read some great articles on chicken coops here 

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6 Important Features of Chicken Coop Plans

When it comes to building a home for your chickens, there are many different ways you can go. Still, it doesn't matter whether you choose to build a conventional coop, an open range chicken enclosure or an off-the-ground chicken ark; the key is you have to have a good set of chicken coop plans that will dictate how you build the structure you want to build.

Now when I say "chicken coop plans" that covers a wide range of buildings. It can be as small as an A-frame coop or as large as a commercial scale chicken house (however, I doubt you're looking into something that big). But, each type of chicken housing has specific qualities and features that each must be built to in order to maintain a healthy and flourishing flock. But here are six characteristics that every good set of chicken coop plans have in common.

First, it should be made of safe, non-toxic building materials that are easily available. There are two reasons for this: one, it is easy to replace, rebuild, or improve you coop when you have materials that are interchangeable and readily available; and two, the materials are cheaper because they are mass produced.

Second, your coop should be able to withstand your local climate. There is nothing worst than seeing a coop destroyed, rotting away, or collapsing due to poor construction.

Third, there should be a good ventilation system in place. As I have said before, ventilation is a seriously overlooked aspect of chicken coop plans. Sometimes ventilation is label as optional on plans or sometimes left out altogether. The fact is that without a good ventilation system, not only will it start to smell unbearable bad, but it can also star to kill off your flock due to increased temperatures. Ventilation is something that needs to be considered with each coop and efficient enough to handle all present and future chickens.

Fourth, you need to construct the coop so that it is easy to clean and maintain. This can easily be done by building a detachable roof. Simply attach the roof to latches that can be taken on and off, and you have access to the whole coop.

Fifth, the coop needs to be built so that it keeps your chickens in and predators out. Predators like weasels, hawks, and raccoons are common nuisances, but they do not have to be. Fortifying the bottom of the fence with a chicken run and placing netting over the coop are simple and cheap ways that you can protect your flock. It amazes me at how many people do not take the time to think about defenses for their chickens; even after an attack. So take a little time in the building process to keep you chickens safe.

A final and optional characteristic of good chicken coop plans is the portability of the coop. Some coops are portable, meaning they are built without a floor and have the ability to be moved around to different locations. A permanent coop is designed to stay in one place. This is good for people who only have a small space for their chickens, and do not have the option of moving the coop anyway.

Hank Dodson is the owner of The Chicken Coop Plans Site. Hank has been building chicken coops and caring for chicken for decades. Want to learn more about chicken coop plans? Visit his chicken coop plans site for helpful tips and information on how to build you very own coop.

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Electric Fencing for Chickens: The Positives and Negatives

The use of electric fencing for chickens has become a popular form of poultry protection and containment, in fact the wide availability of such fencing has transformed the way many owners now rear their poultry.

When it comes to chickens, fencing is used by owners not so much to keep chickens contained, as they are often left to roam as they please, but to keep their many predators from attacking them.

The positives of electric fencing for chickens:

Portability

Unlike traditional chicken wire, which is normally wrapped so tightly when the enclosure is built that moving it is almost impossible, electric netting is fully portable and easily transferred to other areas. This is particularly useful when there is a need to relocate some chickens, or you have a new flock arriving that needs to be kept separate.

Tight Netting

Foxes are by far the most frequent predator of chickens, keeping them out is vital. Fencing that is designed for larger animals will not suit your chickens because the gaps between the wires are far too wide and will allow the fox through or the chickens out. Electric fencing for chickens is designed in a netted structure with very tough, small holes which are impossible for a fox to fit through thereby keeping your poultry safe.

Strength

Electric fencing is made from newer, purpose-built materials that are able to withstand the wear and tear of the elements, animals and predators. This makes electric fencing particularly good for keeping chickens as there are far fewer repairs required, predators are unlikely to prise or force gaps in the fence as they will receive a shock.

The negatives:

Cost

Chicken enclosures are often small so the cost of buying electric fencing for chickens can be quite expensive if you choose the wrong supplier. Most suppliers will work with you to ensure you get the fence you need, but off the shelf products often dictate lengths and dimensions meaning you can end up with more than you need. More traditional fencing solutions can also offer cheaper alternatives especially for small enclosures.

Intermittent Power

The major flaw with such fencing is that by its very nature it requires electricity. In the event of a power cut, intermittent power or a broken fence link, predators can get through and attack your animals. Fortunately electric netting is just as reliable as traditional netting even without a current, but if you have spent extra for the fence then its a pain when it malfunctions. This encourages predators to try their luck, either attempting to jump or prise the netting.

Even though there are negatives in using electric fencing for chickens, the benefits, in my opinion, far outweigh those negatives. This type of fencing is very reliable these days and offers any chicken owner a fantastic way of protecting your poultry.

If you would like to learn more about electric fencing for chickens or just want to browse the different types of electric fences available to you then take a look at www.electricfencesystems.com, a supplier of a new and innovative electric fence system.

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Hen House Plans – How To Choose One Properly

There are a wide variety of hen house plans available right now that you may feel overwhelmed in choosing which one will be most appropriate for you.  This isn’t surprising because of the fact that most people don’t understand the process of building a chicken coop, therefore to them all the hen house plans may even look the same.

They are not the same however and if you’re not choosing the correct hen house plan, the chances that you have success with the building process will be much lower.
Here is what you need to know in order to choose the correct plan for you.
The Number of Chickens You Plan To Keep
The first thing you’ll want to think about is the total number of chickens you plan to keep in your chicken coop.  The hen house plans you’re looking at should differentiate between small, medium, and large sized plans.  Matching the correct size to the total number of chickens you want to keep will help make sure they’re happy in their surroundings are will be laying eggs properly.
If you’re not sure exactly how big you should be building, always go larger than you think you’ll need.
The Type Of Land Available To You
Next, also consider the type of land that you have available to you.  Are you going to have to landscape? If so, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking for hen house plans that give information on proper landscaping techniques so you can do this correctly.
Also think about how firm the ground is. If it’s not very firm at all, you will likely want to consider a more solid base structure on top of the land to prevent the walls from shifting over time.
The Climate You’re Located In
The third factor to think about before you dive right into the building process is the climate you are located in.  If you’re getting a wide variety of weather patterns, you’re going to want to think a great deal harder about the amount and type of insulation you use in your chicken coop.
It’s important that the hen house plans you’re looking at identify methods that you can use to help maintain proper temperature over time because if it’s either too hot or too cold in the house there is a very high chance that you’re going to run into some problems.
Whether You Want Your Chicken Coop To Be Mobile
Finally, consider whether or not you want to build a mobile chicken coop. These are increasingly popular among many people, especially those who also want to keep their chickens as pets as well.
There are many advantages to a mobile chicken coop so it is something you should give some consideration at least.
By taking some time to look through various hen house plans you can take a big step towards making sure you’re choosing one that best matches your own individual needs.