April 2013 - Page 2 of 2 - DIY Chicken Coop Plans

4 Benefits of a Portable Chicken Coop

April 10, 2013January 31, 2016 by John White

Chicken coops come in a variety of shapes and sizes. One can build their own coop at home with chicken coop plans such as those found at here on my website. Building your own chicken coop doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few basic supplies, a rudimentary knowledge of woodworking, and a free weekend, you can have your own chicken coop up and ready for a flock in no time. Whether you plan to build your own coop or buy a pre-built version instead, consider the size of your back yard, the number of chickens you wish to raise, how you’ll provide a light/heat source during the cold winter months, and how your birds will be protected from predators. A portable chicken coop is a great option that has many benefits to offer.

Cleaner Than Your Stationary Options

A portable chicken coop is easy to move from one part of your yard or property to another. They’re also known as chicken tractors and are generally A-shaped frames with a small hen house and fencing to protect the hens from predators. Some versions with large chicken houses have wheelbarrow-like handles to ease transport. Many have wheels for easier moving. Because they are portable, your chicken’s living area will be much cleaner than would a stationary chicken coop. Each day or several days, you simply move the coop, providing the chickens with fresh ground. Otherwise, you’ll have to frequently clean out your coop to keep your chickens free from disease and contamination. Chickens poop nearly non-stop, so this is a lot of waste!

Providing the Free-Range Lifestyle and Protection Too

Raising your chickens completely free-range may be a wonderful idea, but if your area is ripe with predators then your hens are merely sitting targets. Dogs, cats, foxes, coyotes, bears, owls, hawks, skunks, and raccoons are just a few of many predators who would love to make a quick meal out of your chickens. A portable chicken coop allows your chickens plenty of room to exercise and scratch as well as sunshine and fresh air. Most importantly, there is a fenced-in area and an enclosed chicken house to keep your flock out of harm’s way.

Fantastic Mobile Fertilizers

A portable chicken coop can be moved all over your property, allowing you to fertilize and aerate large plots of land. Chicken manure is an excellent fertilizer, infusing your soil with potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients. Chicken manure makes your soil more fertile, improves soil structure, increases soil-moisture holding capacity, and helps your lawn or garden to grow healthier and happier. Healthy soil equals a healthy growing season.

Protect Your Yard and Keep Those Eggs Contained

One last benefit of a portable chicken group is that chickens are unable to destroy and scratch up your vegetable and flower gardens while still enjoying a semi-free range environment. Chickens can make quick work of your yard, damaging your foliage and destroying your vegetables. A portable chicken coop provides them with room to roam yet also keeps them in a contained area.

Also, a portable chicken coop keeps your eggs contained on one area. Free-range birds lay where they please, which means it can be quite an egg hunt when it comes time to collect eggs. If you use a portable chicken coop, your eggs will be kept within the confines of the coop. If you build nesting boxes within your hen house, your hens will hopefully lay their eggs in the boxes and make egg harvest even easier.

A portable-chicken coop has a lot to offer and provides your chickens with a healthy living environment while also transforming your property into a fertile mecca. If you are a small-scale chicken farmer, this may be the perfect option for you.

Protecting Your Chickens from Predators

April 8, 2013September 9, 2016 by John White

These are dangerous times to be a chicken. While free-range chickens are the self-sustainability, organic-raised ideal, keeping your chickens strictly outside opens them up to many dangers. If you’re careful, though, and provide your flock with a safe place to spend the night, you’ll minimize the chances that your birds will end up on the wrong dinner plate.

A World of Dangers

Chickens have a lot of predators, so it’s important that they have a safe place to live, especially at night. If you wish to keep your birds free range, at least make sure they have a chicken house to retreat to if the need arises. It’s not a bad idea to put the chickens in their coop for the night. Even for free-range birds, it’s possible to train them to return to their coop for the evening hours.

Dogs and cats are both common household pets that can be a nightmare to chickens. Even accidentally, it’s easy for a dog to kill a chicken. Some domestic cats will stalk and kill chickens, especially vulnerable chicks. Mother nature hosts a plethora of threats too. Owls and hawks make a quick meal of chickens. Snakes and opossums are known to steal eggs. Coyotes, raccoons, skunks, bears, foxes, and wild cats prey on chickens when given the opportunity. The list goes on and on. Basically, the world is full of creatures large and small that will happily eat eggs, chicks, and even full-grown birds. Living within city limits doesn’t mean that there are not threats lurking in the darkness; they’re there and they would greatly appreciate a chicken dinner. You need to protect your flock accordingly.

Providing Protection in Perilous Times

The most basic method of protecting your chickens from predators is to build a heavy-duty chicken coop with a strong, locking door that shuts securely at night. If you have a chicken run, cover it or ensure that your birds are indoors for night. Hawk netting is an option to keep out flying predators. To keep your chickens safe from digging predators, bury hardware cloth 12 inches deep all the way around your coop. Electric net fencing helps keep persistent pests out too, as does a line of electric wire along the bottom of the fencing. Also, elevating the coop off the ground can help keep weasels, rats, and mice from penetrating your chickens’ home. Make sure that your floor is solid and can resist rodent-like pests.

Regularly inspect your chicken coop for holes or gaps where predators could gain entry, clean up food the chickens don’t eat before night falls so that it doesn’t attract other animals, and keep the area around the coop neat and tidy. Many predators like brush cover and won’t feel as safe if there is an open field or yard without cover. Motion-detecting lights are also an option. They’ll quickly let you know if anything is lurking around where it’s not wanted.

Preventative Chicken Protection

If predators are a consistent problem, consider getting a chicken-friendly dog. He’ll be aware of predators and likely able to chase them off. Although not quite as effective as a dog, a rooster can also help protect a flock. Roosters are effective at fighting off small predators, but they do need light to see predators at night. If your yard is partially lit or if you have motion-detecting lights, this may be a good option.

Predators are an unfortunate part of raising chickens and it’s likely that you’ll lose a chicken to prey at least once. However, there is a lot that you can do to keep your flock safe and help them live long, productive lives. A bit of diligence and some safety precautions are all you need to get started protecting your chickens today.

Chicken Coop Kits vs. Building Your Own

April 6, 2013January 31, 2016 by John White

Raising chickens was a normal part of everyday life for centuries. Most American yards had a chicken or two for the first two centuries of American nationhood. It became highly unpopular for several decades in the 1900s, but now a cultural shift has occurred. People care more about their food today than they have in many years and where it comes from is critical. Self-sustainability is not only good for the planet, but it’s also popular. Backyard-raised eggs are healthier, tastier, and less expensive than purchasing organic eggs from the supermarket. If you’d like to join the backyard chicken movement and raise your own flock, you’ll have to start with one big decision: are you going to purchase a chicken coop kit or are you going to build your own from scratch?

Chicken Coop Kits

When buying a chicken coop kit, you can simply decide on a design you like and place the order online. Kits are readily available from a wide array of companies and come in hundreds of designs. A week or two later, your chicken coop will arrive in a large box of pre-cut pieces, hardware, and step-by-step instructions. It doesn’t get much easier than this. There’s no guess work involved. There’s no cutting or measuring. You don’t have to be a woodworking expert. With basic building skills and perhaps the assistance of a friend or neighbor, your chicken coop can easily be built within a weekend.

A chicken coop kit is a great option for someone who wants to build their coop, but doesn’t want the hassle of purchasing pieces piecemeal. It can be a daunting task! Chicken coop kits provide a no-hassle, easy way to achieve the do-it-yourself experience.

Building Your Own Chicken Coop

Building your own chicken coop is rewarding and often less expensive than purchasing a chicken coop kit. Get out some paper, a pencil, and a ruler. Measure and design to your heart’s content. This method gives you the most control over your final product and also requires the most work. Consider which materials you’ll need to purchase and how much. Which tools will you need? Do you have them already or will you need to purchase or buy them? What is your overall budget? Your chicken coop could be as intricate or as simple as you desire.

A simpler way to build your own chicken coop is to find a design you like online and to purchase the design. Websites like mine will allow you to choose from a variety of attractive coop designs. Once you choose a design that fits your needs, you’ll get a complete list of materials to buy at your local hardware shop, step-by-step instructions to follow for easy construction, and lots of diagrams and full-color illustrations to make the process easy-to-understand and do-able for even amateur builders.

When you build your own coop, you are in complete control over what materials you use. Some chicken coop kits consist of cheap wood (not all, but some… check before you order!). If you build your own coop, you have control over what type of wood you use to construct you chicken’s new home. The quality of the materials determines how long and how well your coop will last. Building your own coop is rewarding and guarantees that you’ll get the exact back-year chicken coop you desire.

Benefits of a Chicken Tractor

April 4, 2013January 31, 2016 by John White

Backyard chickens have become incredibly popular in the past few years. Self-sufficiency has a lot of appeal to many,s does a regular supply of fresh, organic, cage-free eggs. If you’re considering raising chickens, you should start by checking your city’s farm animal regulations and restrictions. Once you’re in the clear, it’s time to research chicken coop designs! You can easily and inexpensively build your own coop at home with designs from sites such as https://www.chickencoopguides.com/. A chicken tractor is one popular type of chicken coop that may be perfect for your yard.

What is a Chicken Tractor, Anyway?

When one thinks of farming and tractors, a plowing machine often comes to mind. A chicken tractor, however, is something quite different. A chicken tractor is a type of floorless chicken coop that can be easily moved from one part of your yard to another. Often A-frame in shape, chicken tractors are very light weight and simple to relocate, especially if wheels are added. In the United Kingdom, this type of chicken coop is known as an Ark. Chickens raised in a chicken tractor benefit greatly from sunshine, fresh air, exercise, and the chance to forage.

Why Use a Chicken Tractor?

There are many benefits to using a chicken tractor. Free-range chickens are ideal, but predators can quickly dim your best plans. Chicken tractors have no floor, so chickens are basically free range and able to forage in the grass for bugs and weeds while also being protected from predators and inclement weather. Any eggs they lay will be protected, not hidden in the foliage waiting to be found. You won’t have to clean your coop floor, as you’ll simply move the chicken tractor to a new location each day or every several days. Not only is this a fantastic way to fertilize your yard or garden, but moving the coop also gives the ground time to recover between usage.

What’s With the Funny Name?

While certainly not a tractor in any traditional means, the chickens within this floorless chicken coop perform some of the same jobs as a tractor. Chickens dig and forage, plowing the ground and preparing the soil for planting. Even better than a tractor, chickens defecate, fertilizing the ground. Backyard chicken enthusiasts also enjoy the lawn-trimming benefits chickens provide!

Another perk of a chicken tractor over completely free-range chicken raising is that it is much more controlled. The chickens will not have uninhibited access to your vegetable and flower gardens, which they could destroy easily. The movability of the chicken tractor saves any one spot on your property from being completely destroyed, as chickens will eat or peck away any greenery within their living space. In a traditional, stationary coop or enclosure, chickens will clear the foliage to the ground, leaving nothing but dirt.

Easy to Use, Easy to Maintain

Chicken tractors are easy to build, simple to maintain, and make keeping backyard chickens a breeze. There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a ready-made chicken coop when a chicken tractor can be crafted extremely economically and with minimal tools. Whether you’ve had chickens for years and are looking for something new or whether you are a chicken enthusiast just looking to start out, a chicken tractor is a fine backyard tool that you should seriously consider.

Photo by: Rochelle Eisenberger

Raising Chickens for Eggs

April 3, 2013October 23, 2016 by John White

“We can see a thousand miracles around us every day,” said famous American clergyman and Christian radio broadcaster Samuel Parkes Cadman, “What is more supernatural than an egg yolk turning into a chicken?” Whether used to expand the size of your flock or for a regular supply of food, eggs are a miraculous thing. What other item can either turn into another laying hen (if fertilized), or become a protein-rich and versatile food source for humans? Raising chickens for eggs is a relatively inexpensive way to provide one’s family with a constant supply of wholesome, nutritious eggs. It can also be a good business. Organic, free-range chicken eggs are in high demand.

Make Sure It’s Legal and Build Your Coop

Before you order your first chicks, make sure that raising backyard chickens is legal where you live. Build a chicken coop such as those found at here on my site, prepare your chicken run, and gather all supplies. Make sure that your chickens have a safe, enclosed place to sleep at night and laying boxes for their eggs. Research the best type of chicken for your purpose and geographical area and do your homework on how to raise chickens. The Internet is a good source for information, as is your local library or bookstore. The better educated you are on the topic, the better your chicken raising experience will be.

Choose the Best Layers for You

There are hundreds of different chicken breeds in existence and one size certainly does not fit all when it comes to choosing the perfect breed for you. Some chickens are layers, some are broilers (meat chickens), and some are dual purpose. Even among layers, the variety is huge. Some breeds lay over 200 eggs annually, while others lay closer to 80.

Leghorn chickens are consistent laying birds that produce around 300 eggs annually. Rhode Island Reds, Red Stars, Light Sussex, Plymouth Rock, and Barred Rock chickens are also fantastic layers. Chickens that are great layers as well as great mother hens (“broody” hens) who will care for her chicks include the Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Cuckoo Maran, and the Light Sussex. If you do not have a rooster and only raise eggs for food, then a great layer who is not broody is a good choice. If you would like the possibility of baby chicks, a broody hen is a better option because she’ll readily sit on and care for her own eggs. 2-4 hens are a good amount to start out with if you want a steady supply of eggs for your family. Don’t buy too many birds in the beginning, as you can quickly become overwhelmed with the number of eggs they produce.

Caring For Your Layers

Chickens eat nearly constantly and enjoy a wide variety of foods. Chicken feed, vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds are all healthy choices. Feed your chickens daily or use a large, self-feeding container that holds several days’ worth of feed. They’ll also eat bugs and worms from your yard. On average, a laying hen will eat ¼ lb of feed each day. This amount is variable and will depend on your specific hen. Regardless, chickens like to eat!

Chickens also need access to clean water, and a large watering container is a good option. A modern watering container can store 3-5 gallons of water and regulates the water into a trough that is not too deep to risk drowning while also offering a steady supply of water. These are available online as well as farmer supply stores.

Provide your hens with a safe home, sunlight, fresh air, and lots of room to exercise. Clean their coop regularly to reduce the risk of illness or disease or use a chicken tractor to keep their living area fresh and your yard fertilized. Raising chickens for eggs is not hard to do and, with a little bit of self-education and experience, you’ll soon be enjoying an abundant supply of fresh eggs. Good luck!

Feeding Your Chickens

April 1, 2013September 9, 2016 by John White

Chickens are well known for their ability to finish off table scraps, their love for bread crusts, and their tendency to eat everything from Styrofoam to grain. Yet, table scraps alone are not enough and can sometimes be dangerous. In order to produce eggs or meat, chickens need a nutrient-rich diet. Not all chicken feed is created equal, and the type of feed you provide depends on whether you are raising your poultry for eggs or for meat, their age, and to some extent their breed. Resist the urge to dump all your table scraps into your chicken coop, keep a lookout for dangerous food items or garbage in your hen’s living area, and feed your birds a well-balanced diet so that they’ll live long, productive lives.

What To Look For in Chicken Feed

When looking for the perfect chicken feed, keep in mind that it should contain protein, calcium, and phosphorus. A young broiler (meat chicken) needs feed with 23% protein, 0.9% calcium, and 0.5% phosphorus while an older broiler (6 weeks to finish) requires 10% protein, 0.8% calcium, and 0.5% phosphorus.[i] The requirements for broilers are different than the requirements for layers. Do your research and make sure that your feed fits the needs of your chickens based on their purpose, breed, and age. No matter the brand, compare ingredient lists. What is the feed made of? How much protein, minerals, grit, vitamins, carbohydrates, and calcium are in the feed? Just as human food is available in a vast array of qualities and quantities, chicken feed varies too.

What Types of Feed Are Available?

Farm supply stores stock a variety of ready-to-use chicken feeds from brands such as Poulin Grain, Purina, High Flyer Layena, Kent, Evergreen, and Blue Seal. Local feed mills sell their own mixes at a reasonable rate, too.

It’s also possible to feed your chickens without store-bought feed. Plan ahead so that all of your chicken’s nutritional needs are met. For protein, chickens enjoy earthworms, alfalfa, duckweed, and comfrey. Carbohydrates are important too, especially for layers, and chickens like eating a variety of carbohydrate-rich foods: vegetable seeds, wheat, oats, rice barley, and more. Stale bread and grain are also good sources of carbohydrates. Herbs and vegetables are good for calcium.

How Much To Feed

Feeding chickens is an imprecise art, because how much they eat depends on a wide variety of factors. Chickens eat more in cold weather than in hot weather and even different amounts depending upon the breed. If your chickens are extremely active, they’ll be hungrier than more sedentary foul. From hatching to harvest, a broiler will consume approximately 12 lbs of feed. A layer will consume about ¼ lb of feed daily throughout her life. These are estimates, of course, and vary by bird. While figuring out your bird’s dietary needs and intake requirements, one could fill the feed dishes so that there is food available all day or use a multi-day feeder.

What About Those Table Scraps?

Chickens will eat practically anything that is in front of them, so one must be careful with what’s available to the flock. Garbage can easily be ingested and harm the bird. Chickens are great for eating table scraps, although there are some things you shouldn’t feed them. Don’t feed them apple seeds, egg shells, chocolate, processed foods, mushrooms, potato peels, garlic, raw meat, dried beans, avocado skins and pits, or onions. Don’t give your chickens food that has spoiled, either, because spoiled food produces toxins. Chickens love fruit and vegetable scraps, as well as bread, cooked meats, oatmeal, and grains like rice and wheat. Just like for humans, a well-balanced diet is important for optimal health. The better you feed your birds, the longer and healthier lives they will live.

[i] Fantastic Farms. What Do Chickens Eat? A Guide to Chicken Feed. http://www.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/what_do_chickens_eat.html