Tag Archives: Nesting Boxes


Simple Ways To Build Chicken Coop Accessories

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You’ve got your coop plans but have you thought about how you are going to build chicken coop accessories?

As you know, when you want to build a chicken coop there are many things to be aware of. 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 now you’ve done your homework, your coop is secure, sturdy and easy to work in, you’ve cleaned everything up and are rearing to get your girls in. I’ll also bet that one of the last things that you want to be thinking about is having to build chicken coop accessories right?

I know that this is completely frustrating, just when you thought that the hard work was done, now you have to accessorize the blimming thing? I recollect thinking “how dreadful would it be if we didn’t bring in a nesting box or two?” and “what the jeepers is a roost?”. “Why should they have a water trough or feeder? Can’t they just eat off the floor and doze on the floor? They are just chickens after all, why should we bother with trying to build chicken coop accessories”. And then I thought about it a bit more.

Yes they are chickens which is exactly the reason why we have to respect their needs. Because chickens are just animals their needs are very basic. Their whole system is designed so that they will eat, sleep and lay where they feel safe and comfortable.. That is it. If you want their eggs, then you need to make them contented so that they will gladly give you those eggs with as little performance as possible.

So when you build chicken coop accessories seek to envisage that you are a insignificant, almost flightless animal and ask yourself where you would feel the most safe. I reckon that ‘off the ground’ should figure quite highly! With that in mind, here is a quick run-down on the common accessories for your coop

Nesting Boxes;
Nesting boxes are for your hens to lay 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 lined with straw, paper, shavings or hay, but this also should to be changed on a very frequent basis.

I realize that we mutter about birds wanting their space, but when it comes to the nesting box they definitely like it close, so allocate for 4 or 5 chickens per box rather than building single nests.

The Roost;
The roost is where the sleeping is done.
The roost is the ‘domestic’ version of a high branch in a tree, so it really only wants to be a well-built shaft. So long as it will hold the weight of the chooks and they can get their talons around it firmly most anything will do. An important note when you build chicken coop roosts is that just as in the wild, hens will brawl over the uppermost branch, so make all the roosts the equal height. This is one area that your hens will enjoy their legroom, so make sure that there is enough area on the roosts for all your chooks. This will avoid major arguments and help promote a serene atmosphere.

A big tip here; Do not situate your nesting boxes or any other accessories beneath your roosts! Birds do the majority of their defacating while they sleep – now I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be that keen on laying an egg in a soiled nesting box!

Feeders and Waterers;
These are pretty self explanatory there are a fantastic array of automatic systems around that will ensure that your girls have a set supply of fresh food and water.

Sand Baths;
Sand Baths are pretty much the only ‘luxury 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 very chilly climates then these may be installed in your pen with relative ease. There are various heaters to be had, but many also present a huge fire danger so installing a heater in your hutch 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

Chicken Coop Plan – It’s All in the Drawing

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Chicken coops are very important when you are raising chickens because this is basically where they live. Usually, these housing structures are built with nesting boxes where the chickens lay their eggs and a bird perch for them to sleep on. There is an ongoing debate as what a chicken coops real purpose is and the side that you choose will tell you the things you need to know about chicken coop building plans.

 

There is a group of people who believe that chickens are strong animals that can withstand outdoor conditions and that they cannot be confined in a chicken coop that is dark and has a poor ventilation system. If you agree to this, then your chicken coop should be built from material that is light and airy. The coop also has to be large enough so your hens can move around. You should calculate at least 4 square feet for every chicken you are going to keep.

Another group of people believe that chickens cannot withstand the outdoors and are prone to illness when exposed to the elements. These people believe that a chicken coop has to be sturdy in order to protect the animals from the climate. This means that the materials you would use are heavy and can prevent wind drafts.

 

The thinking of these 2 groups of people will lead to different designs in chicken coop building plans. One chicken coop design has to be large with windows that allow ventilation and the other chicken coop design has to have windows that can be shut to control the ventilation.

 

It does not matter which arguments you agree to as long as you do not forget about the most important thing: Protecting your chickens welfare.. You should keep in mind that by keeping your chickens healthy and feeling comfortable, you will increase the number of eggs they lay. And in the end this is what you want.