Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Basic Designs For Chicken Coops

You can find designs for chicken coops all over
the net and in a lot of books. Some will be the
extravagant, some complex, some basic, but all
will have certain common elements. Depending on
what you plan for your birds will dictate the
design that will best suit you.

Your coop needs to protect your chickens from
wind, rain, snow, excessive cold, heat and
predators.

Number one--choose a good location. A place in
your yard that drains easily of water provides
shade for the birds and can be seen by you
without obstruction.

You need to think about how to orient your coop?
The smart thing is to take advantage of natural
light and warmth to help keep your flock dry and
warm. So the direction you face the windows in
the coop is important. If your chickens are to
produce eggs having the coop oriented to take
advantage of natural light helps. (Chickens have
26 hour egg cycle which is affected by daytime
light patterns). The correct orientation will aid
in this cycle.

Also if you want eggs will need nesting boxes.
Chickens will nest wherever they feel most
comfortable. The same as a momma cat will pick
your underwear draw to have her kittens if you
let her. So it is important to make the nesting
boxes attractive to the hens. Chickens like to
nest in subdued light. Keep this in mind when
choosing the location of the boxes.

At the same time - you don't want the chickens
sleeping (roosting) in the nesting
boxes—they are for nesting. So it is a
careful balance of making the nesting area
attracting for laying eggs, but unacceptable for
sleeping. Outside access to the nesting boxes
for egg gathering without disturbing the chickens
is a good idea—straightforward access like
an outside trap door.

Sleeping requirements (roosting) the roosting
areas need to be off the ground. This prevents
chickens from lying in their own waste and
possibly contracting parasites. Underneath the
roosting area you should use wood shavings, straw
or other material to capture waste. As it becomes
damp or soiled, clean it out and replace it.

Make sure to provide enough space for each bird.
Everything needs its personal space and chickens
are no different. Crowding them is a mistake and
will lead to conflict amongst the birds.

Proving feed and water to your birds is something
you want to be able to do easily without
disturbing the flock. So situating the feeders
and waterier for your ease of access while making
them easily accessible to the birds is critical.
Carrying feed and water to the coop can get
old;real quick!!

Chickens need lots of clean water every day and
not just because they-- like all animals require
water, but they also use water to aid in eating.
Mature birds also require grit (which many birds
including chickens store in their gullet to act
as a set of teeth to grind down the feed as they
eat).

In conclusion I think you can see that good
designs for chicken coops need to address these
important topics. Use the right plans to build
your chicken coop, and success is yours!

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Want to learn more about chicken coop designs?
Visit
http://www.chickencoopcenter.com/chicken-coops-des
igns/ for helpful tips and information on
planning, building, and maintaining a great
chicken coop.
http://www.chickencoopcenter.com

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