Plans For Chicken Coops Part 3

Hello again [name],

Hope you’re keeping well. Here’s the third in our series…

How To Build A Coop That Will Last

Before we get into today’s content, can I just remind you that if you have any questions, or want to share some advice, I’d love to hear from you. You can comment on any blog post, or get in touch with me directly (and privately) either by replying to this email or by using the contact form on the blog.

OK. Let’s get to it…

Now that we’ve covered the types of chicken coops you can build, the different supplies that you should think about and maybe using some recycled bits and pieces, it’s time to look at what you should be doing in order to maintain the structural integrity of your chicken coop. Wow – “structural integrity” hey – I can’t help it, I’m an engineer by trade 🙂

One problem that many people run into – especially those who haven’t done to much building of sheds and stuff – is that they do a decent job of building their coop but there can be weaknesses in the plan design. This usually happens with free plans. Not always of course, but most times you get what you pay for. A few bucks for professional plans usually means you’ve got clear instructions from someone who actually put the thing together. It should also give you someone to get back to if you run into any small difficulties. Free plans have usually been copied from one site to another to another… trying to get help can be like banging your head against a brick wall.

Proper Landscaping

Now some folks will say that before starting to build the coop itself, you need to make sure the land you want to build on is level and landscaped properly. So what if you’re building a mobile coop? Doesn’t matter at all, does it! However, if you are building a stationary coop it’s worth spending a bit of time making the base area (or choosing a flat area in the first place). Anything built on a slope has stresses put on it right from the start – not ideal.

The strongest, longest lasting coop will be one built on solid foundations, but that doesn’t mean you have to pour a big slab of concrete – it will depend to some extent on your plans. It stands to reason though that if you spend time on the base preparation – making it as flat and level as possible – it’s going to be quicker and easier to get the actual coop upright and solid.

You don’t have to go hire a mixer and buy the most expensive building materials out there. If the plans you buy don’t suggest a way of constructing a sub-base, see what people do with other garden sheds. Heavy duty plastic sheeting with a good thick layer of gravel works. Old paving slabs can do a good job (best bedded on small pads of cement). There are always cost-effective options that you can consider but you need to be careful to balance price with long-term value. The last thing you want to do is build a static wooden coop straight on ground that gets damp – it will rot almost while you look at it!

Windows: Let’s Get Some Light On The Subject!

Windows (or wire-covered openings) are a very important element within the chicken coop because they are going to allow for enough light so your chickens continue to lay eggs as they should. If they are not getting enough light – like when it gets round to winter time – you’re going to run into problems. Good, professional plans are going to offer provision for windows in the coop to help ensure your birds stay happy  – and productive – over the long haul.

But let’s not get carried away. If you put your chickens in a glass house you’re going to roast them! Joking aside, too many windows (or wired openings) will reduce the overall rigidity, so go careful. If you’re coming up with your own ideas it’s important for you to think about the structural design as a whole. If you’re buying plans, this shouldn’t be a problem – so long as you’re not tempted to modify them too much (we’ve all done it).

OK, that should do it. Just a short one today. Talk to you again soon!