Backyard Chicken Coop

A backyard chicken coop can be the start of a fun family project, a personal hobby, or the beginning of a small business venture.  Gathering fresh eggs is fun and satisfying, but selling the eggs for a premium price because of freshness, fertility, or because they are organic is really exciting.

Before you start on your chicken coop, have an idea of how many chickens you plan to end up with.  Starting with a small coop is fine if you only plan to house a few chickens that pay for their keep in eggs, but if you plan to let your hens brood and raise baby chicks, your space may quickly become too small.

Your backyard chicken coop can start with plans or a kit complete with materials ordered from an online supplier.  There are many to choose from. There are also some small coops that can be ordered as completed units, but they are usually only intended for 2-3 chickens.  These units can be used as mobile “chicken tractors” that can be easily moved from one place to another in your yard.  This gives the chickens fresh grass and bug variety while keeping them safe and secured.

If you are going to build your own coop, beware of unsafe construction materials such as treated lumber or lead based paint.  Chickens peck at most everything, and lumber that is treated to prevent rot, mildew, and insect infestation can contain poisons.  If your chickens ingest toxins, you can bet those toxins will be in the eggs they lay.

When planning a backyard chicken coop some things to consider in the planning stage are:

• Each standard sized adult chicken needs at least 4 square feet of space.  Bantam breeds only need 2 square feet per chicken, but more is always better.
• You cannot house two roosters together – at least one will end up dead, and sometimes the last one standing will die too.
• Chicken wire won’t keep predators out.  Used on the bottom of the cage, it will stop predators that try to dig under the cage, but the wire used on the sides of the cage should be a stronger gauge.
• Treated, pressured, lumber contains arsenic.
• The coop nesting area should be water tight, up off the ground, and secured at night against predators.  Raccoons love both raw chicken and eggs, and are smart enough to open a bolt lock.
• Your area weather conditions are important. If you live in a cold climate, you need to plan your chicken coop and its occupants accordingly.  Some chicken breeds are more suited to cold climates, others to warm and even tropical. Research the breeds.  Just because they sell them at your local feed store doesn’t mean they are the best choice for your location.
• If your primary goal is eggs, buy chickens that have a long laying cycle.  If you are going to use them as meat chickens, you will need to buy chickens that are ready for the freezer by 16 weeks old.  Investigate the varieties.  There are literally hundreds to choose from, each with different attributes.

Successful backyard chicken coops have been fashioned from large dog houses, potting sheds, and outdoor tool barns.  A chicken coop can be designed to fit in with your landscape or home architecture.  It can be country rustic, or have the charm of a playful townhouse.  Your design is only limited by your imagination.

If you are planning for children to be able to interact with your chickens, be certain you buy chickens that have a gentle disposition.  This varies greatly between breeds.  Breed research will enable you to choose wisely and get the most out of your backyard chicken coop.