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A Beginners DIY Guide To Chicken Coops and Runs

2016/5/4 10:24:30

Today we are going to take a look at chicken coops and runs for the beginner. Whether they are called coops, chicken hutches, or arks, these are little homes for your fine feathered friends. It is, however, a good idea to really think about why you are raising them and what you're going to do with them. Let's start with the basics. The real first question is why you want to raise chickens. There is an abundance of reasons people raise chickens. One of the main reasons is for their eggs and meat. Yes, while eating your own, so to speak, may be a little gross to some people, let's face it, with the costs of eggs and chicken in the grocery today, raising your own means more money in the long run in your pocket. And, you will know they are organically raised (if you use organic feed) and healthy.

Another reason why people raise chickens is that with so many different varieties out there, chickens can actually be pretty to look at. There are ones that have incredibly beautiful colors and designs, some that are mostly ornamental, some lay white eggs, some colored, while others are nice for getting fat and ready for the fryer, yumm. Some need more space than others, but one thing is for sure, they all need shelter, warmth, and a place where they can peck and scratch around.

This is really where chicken coops and runs come in. The chicken hutches are only a small part of the whole. A chicken-raiser has to make sure their flock is healthy and happy. Overall, chickens don't need a whole lot to make them happy; plenty of food, water, and a place where they feel safe and secure enough to lay their eggs. There are plenty of different kinds of chicken feed, and some people even use their kitchen scraps to feed them, which for the most part is safe for the chickens.

For those of you just starting out, maybe smaller sized chicken coops and runs are the best idea, a good size is just enough for 3 - 4 chickens, or so. Now, it is important to remember that you don't need a rooster. Some newbies who may be raising chickens, think they will need a rooster to stimulate egg-laying. Well, without a male in the bunch, you aren't going to get any eggs that hatch, but you will get plenty eggs, no worries. If you want a rooster, it is best that only one rooster is introduced to the flock, more and you are going to have fights.

There may be laws in your area against you having roosters, but which do allow hens, so check that out, too. Remember, roosters are noisy, can cause stress in your hens, and are generally not a good idea unless you have a large property and can tolerate the noise.

You also need to have some room to raise your chickens. In addition to needing a nice place to live, they also need space to peck the ground and forage for food, even if you feed them. This is just something chickens do, and if it makes them happy, you are going to be happy.

Basic chicken coops and runs don't have to be too big. Most small chicken hutches are only about four or five feet long, three or four feet wide, and two to three feet high. Many of these are fully self-contained, meaning that their home and run is one unit, with the hutch itself elevated, so there is room under for getting to the ground. Some of these can even be moved from one location to another. Now being able to move your chicken coop around is really convenient for a few different reasons. One is that chickens, as much as you may love them, can be destructive little critters. They can mess up a well-manicured lawn or tear up a vegetable garden in a short period of time. In order to prevent this, you are going to want to be able to move their home from one place to another so your lawn will get a little fertilizer today and then another patch tomorrow. Rotation is the name of the game with a chicken ark. Most chicken runs and the coops are stationary and they are the simplest to care for.

Let's take a look at the chicken hutches themselves. They need to be warm and cozy for your flock, but also well ventilated, with doors and windows. Access should be easy so you can clean out their mess, and collect the eggs. They also need a regular fresh supply of bedding materials to keep their nest boxes clean and tidy. Ventilation as well as accessibility is really important because they can get sick pretty easily if they get chilled or wet. Luckily, there are numerous resources online on chicken coops and runs for the DIY'er, whether you are a seasoned pro, or a complete newbie. You can find information on the care and raising of them, as well as a number of different hutch styles, plans and tips on getting the most out of raising your feathered flock.

Chris and Leslie Hardenbrook have chickens in their backyard on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Learn how to raise your own egg-laying hens and build their hutches from DIY step-by-step beginners chicken coop plans, just visit their blog at www.echickencoopsandruns.com and see what the urban chicken movement is all about.