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One problem that many people do run into is that they build their chicken coop and do a decent job at it, but the only problem is that the way they have built it does not stand up over the long run.
Gaining a better understanding of the construction process and exactly what’s needed to build a coop that lasts and will ensure that the money you spend is worth it.
Proper Landscaping: Before starting to build the coop, you need to make sure the land you want to build on is level and landscaped properly. You have two options here, you can either landscape an area of land that you really want to build the chicken coop on or you can look for a piece of land that will already work well to build on without having to landscape at all.
The latter option is going to be cheaper than the former, but again this will come down to your personal preference.
By doing this first though, you’ll build a chicken coop that lasts for a longer period of time since it’ll have a more sturdy foundation that you built it upon.
Spend Money on The Base Structure: Next, one area that you will want to invest a little more on is the structural base. In the building plans in the book you’ll see exactly what types of materials are going to be best for this so it makes the decision easy.
Choosing to forgo and opt for very cheap building materials here could come back to haunt you in the long run. There are still definitely cheap options that you can certainly consider and that will work well, but there still are limits. Knowing which cost-effective materials stand the test of time will help. Click here learn more details on How to build a Chicken Coop.
Make Good Use of Windows: Windows are a critical element within the chicken coop because they are going to allow for enough light so your chickens continue to lay eggs as they should. When they are not getting enough light, that’s when you’re more likely to run into problems, so making use of windows in the coop not only helps ensure the chickens stay happy over the long haul, but can also reduce your building costs if you’re using proper materials.
It’s important that you consider the structural design with the windows though because placing them in the wrong position on the coop could cause the walls to be less sturdy, so again, having a proper plan to guide you is critical. Click here learn more details on How to build a Chicken Coop.
Choose your Feeders Wisely: Finally, you should choose your feeder position wisely. When the feeders are at an incorrect height level the chickens will either not be able to get to their food comfortably, or they may start to scatter the food all around the floor.
When that happens they’re bound to start picking at the floor and potentially other areas of the house, which could lead to damage over time.
By taking the time to properly plan your chicken coop so it lasts over the years you will prevent yourself from having to spend more money down the road fixing up issues that you come into.
Again this is a key element that must be taken care of if you want to keep your chickens for the long term because without protection, there is a very high chance that at some point or another, a predator is going to come around.
First you need to assess what potential predators you have in your area. This would include animals such as coyotes, foxes, larger dogs, or rodents that may try and dig underneath the fence and get into the coop in that manner.
If you have no idea what types of predators are present in your surrounding area, you may want to consult with your neighbours and check and see if they’ve ever encountered a predator. This will give you a more precise idea of exactly what you’re dealing with so you can take proper precautionary measures.
Location: It’s important that you also identify the best location to place your coop. As we’ve already discussed location is partially going to be determined by land forms already, but having the coop within a close distance (eye’s range is even better) will help you keep a closer eye on your chickens and ensure they are safe. Click here learn more details on How to build a Chicken Coop.
This is where having a mobile chicken coop comes in really handy since you can easily transport it to wherever you are going to be to really keep a watchful eye on them.
Type of Fence: It’s also vital that you factor in the type of fence that would be best to build with your chicken coop. Consider the type of predator you’re looking at and then research the different types of fences that are available to choose the best fit.
As mentioned above, if you’re going to encounter digging animals, it will be most important that you build the house low enough into the ground that it’s difficult for them to burrow underneath it.
If you are looking at the possibility of larger predatory animals, then you’re going to need a fence that’s incredibly sturdy in order to keep them out effectively. This is why having a good guide to follow will help – it’s vital that you pair your needs with the variety of fence. If you don’t, you may think you’re protecting your chickens, but you really haven’t done much but added a bit of decoration to your chicken coop.
So be sure you’re keeping fencing and protection in mind. You could build the most perfect chicken coop ever, but if another animal decides to venture in, that perfect chicken coop could be no more.
Click here learn more details on How to build a Chicken Coop.
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