| If you are considering building a chicken pen yourself, | | | | access, preferably in the form of a door which is on |
| it is important to understand that chicken coop | | | | the exterior of the pen and not just via the one |
| design is an important element for several reasons. | | | | inside the run. Some coops have handles at the top |
| Not only is it important to have a coop which looks | | | | so that the coops can be moved around the garden |
| good in your garden (bearing in mind you may have | | | | and this not only facilitates easier cleaning (as the |
| to look at it every day!) but there are other, | | | | "mess" is literally left behind, ready to be spread on |
| arguably more important elements to consider. | | | | the garden, but this also give the chickens the |
| First of all, an important element of any chicken coop | | | | chance of roaming on a fresh patch of earth or |
| design is the size. The first consideration is that it is | | | | grass. |
| sufficiently large enough for the intended number of | | | | Ensure that there is sufficient space for one nesting |
| chickens. As a general rule, you should allow 3-5 | | | | box for every 4-5 chickens. Often, instructions are |
| square feet of floor space per chicken in the nesting | | | | included in the chicken coop design, but there is no |
| sleeping house and around 15 square feet in the run | | | | need to over complicate things-hens are quite happy |
| area. Obviously, if the chickens are to be allowed to | | | | to nest in an old sturdy cardboard box which has the |
| free range a little then the outdoor run space could | | | | advantage of being easily replaced with a new one |
| be a little less. In addition, the chicken coop design | | | | when finished with. Alternatively, you can consider |
| you choose should look aesthetically pleasing, in that | | | | using a plastic cat litter tray. These are very cheap |
| it should not be overbearing for the size of the | | | | to buy and are easily cleaned and disinfected. |
| garden. | | | | As a chicken keeper and retailer of chicken housing |
| When building a chicken pen, the materials you use | | | | myself, I was looking for ideas to incorporate into |
| are important for various reasons. If possible, you | | | | my own designs and this lead me to a book by a |
| may wish to use a wood which either matches or | | | | fellow chicken-lover. His designs were so simple that |
| complements other garden furniture, particularly if | | | | they were almost as easy to construct as my own |
| you have an existing shed. Additionally, "extras" such | | | | self-assembly coops were to put together! I have |
| as mesh and hinges should be chosen not only for | | | | since recommended his book to numerous customers |
| their appearance but for their strength as the lengths | | | | who were looking at building a chicken pen |
| which predators go to when trying to get hold of | | | | themselves and all have been delighted by both the |
| chickens can be breathtaking. Foxes have been | | | | simplicity and quality of the designs. In addition, it has |
| known to gnaw through wire mesh so ensure you | | | | been shown that building your own housing can save |
| use only heavy gauge material. | | | | over 50% of the cost of a comparable flatpacked |
| Easy cleaning is an important feature in chicken coop | | | | pen and even those with very little experience in DIY |
| design. When building a chicken pen, you should | | | | can follow simple chicken pen plans without difficulty. |
| ensure that the nesting area in particular has easy | | | | |