What You Need to Know Before You Start Building Chicken Coops

 Chicken coops or hen house is usually a wooden structure where chickens or other domestic fowl are housed safely and protected. They are generally a structure that resembles a house but without a roof. However, they may have perches and nest boxes in the structure as well. These are placed in such a way that predators cannot harm the fowl inside. A chicken coop is the most vital part of raising domestic fowl and chickens. This is where they sleep, eat, and breed.

For proper ventilation, there must be enough space in which the chickens can move around freely. You need to ensure that there is plenty of natural light coming in from outside as well so that the chickens have the right temperature for comfortable growth and well-being. Proper ventilation is important in chicken coops or hen houses to help keep the birds warm during cold months and cooler during hot months. Ventilation is important because too much heat or too much cold can be harmful to the fowl. An adequate amount of fresh air should constantly be moving throughout the entire house so that the fowl do not become constipated.

Another important feature of chicken coops or hen houses is protection from predators. Some birds like cats and foxes love to prey on chickens but they usually stay away from chickens with proper ventilation, good lighting, and adequate shelter. There are several means of providing protection from these animals without having to build a big outer structure.

One way is to build chicken coops or hen houses with mesh floors that provide good protection from penetration by moisture and cold air. There are various types of mesh available for this purpose such as galvanized steel, corrugated fiberglass, galvanized steel with powder coating, and plastic coated mesh. The type you choose depends on the climate where you live. The other benefit of putting up chicken coops with these kinds of materials is that you can easily move them around if you want to move the coop to a new location.

Another important point is the protection from predators. It is recommended that the roof of chicken coops have at least two large slits that allow the chickens enough space to move and kick around without hitting their feet on sharp objects hanging above them. Ventilation holes should also be provided so that excess moisture and air can escape from the coop so that the chickens don't get dehydrated. Predators usually hunt for chickens at night so providing strong lighting inside the chicken coops can keep the fox or cat out.

Chickens require space to be able to exercise. Building coops or hen houses requires adequate space so that chickens can stretch their wings and exercise well. If you are planning to raise just a few chickens, you can opt to use chicken wire fencing. Chicken wire fencing is easy to install, can be painted any color you want, and comes with a choice of four adjustable fence panels that are made of industrial-grade galvanized steel. It comes with a mounting kit that allows you to attach it securely to your house, walls or even trees. You can also get an additional one attached to the roof.