Ideas for Constructing Inexpensive Hen Houses

Constructing hen houses for your flock of chickens is mandatory if you wish to successfully grow the healthiest pullets. A chicken coop can be fairly easy to construct and can be accomplished in a single weekend if a first-class design is used. The tools and construction supplies necessary are uncomplicated and economical which will allow you to spend less by constructing it on your own. And when it's finished you will certainly be able to reap the benefits by growing extremely productive birds that will put freshly grown and organic meat and eggs on your kitchen table.

The initial question that should be mulled over is "how many hens do I want?" The more chickens, the bigger the chicken shed must be. Keeping too many pullets in a cramped area will lead to disease and cannibalism among the birds. All chickens maintain a pecking order and in overloaded areas some of the poultry will get pecked to death by the stronger chickens. You should try for a minimum of 3 square feet per individual bird while remembering that any additional space you can give them will lessen the chance for cannibalism.

In an unpolluted and roomy coop your flock can remain fit and productive for 10 or 12 years. However, if they become overly crowded they will be more disposed to disease and their production can suffer. Happy and healthy chickens lay more eggs so be sure to offer them a hen house that is clean and roomy.

After coming to a decision with regard to the quantity of pullets you will be growing and the size of your chicken housing, there are several additional items that need to be given consideration. Your hen house will either be sited in a stationary location or it can be portable. Portable hen houses can only maintain several hens so if you plan to raise a great quantity you ought to construct stationary houses.

If you will be growing approximately 4 to 6 hens you may want to consider manufacturing a portable coop. One of the best items with regard to portable coops is the no-cost food they can provide. Your chickens can hunt and scratch for much of their own food. This will help keep them in better health since they will be getting some real live food as an addition to pre-packaged. Once one area has been cleaned out of bugs and plants you can easily transport the coop to a different location teeming with bugs and new grasses.

If you are deficient in spare time and need to reduce your manual labor to the smallest amount possible, portable hen houses are perfect. Instead of cleaning your poultry housing on a consistent basis you can transport it to a different location. Furthermore, you can move the portable housing into your garden area and obtain no-cost organic manure.

If you make a decision to construct stationary chicken housing you need to place material such as straw or wood chips on the floor to contain the droppings. This will make cleaning up a lot easier. Another approach to limit your effort is to construct the coop a couple of feet higher than the soil and use chicken wire as the flooring. This will help keep the interior of the house unsoiled while making it possible for you to clean up when time permits.

No matter how few or how many hens you will be raising, hen houses are essential if you wish to maintain healthy pullets. Supplying an unpolluted dry habitat, proper air circulation, and a good amount of space can help you be successful in your new hobby.