It is possible to find a seemingly endless selection of designs, concepts and plans for structures intended to contain chickens. Such buildings run the gamut from detailed multi-story buildings to basic structures encircled by chicken wire. Prior to spending substantial resources on expensive coops, it is wise to conduct a bit of research to learn how to construct your own chicken coops easily and quickly.

Fortunately, chickens are not terribly persnickety animals. They requirements are few and fundamental. Chickens need shelter from rain, sun, snow and cold so that their eggs remain protected. Also, they need ample room to nest and lay eggs.

Because many creatures enjoy eating not only eggs but also chickens, coops must be solidly built and securely guarded. With the addition of food and water supplies, chickens have everything they need.

Conventional methods for constructing chicken coops exist, and it is also possible to design your own version from the ground up. Choose how large an area you wish to dedicate for the coop.

It is important that the coop be built a fair distance away from your own house for several reasons. For one thing, chickens can be very noisy, and if the coop is downwind, the odors they emit can become problematic. However, the coop should not be so far away that you must travel a great distance to monitor the chickens and ensure their freedom from dangerous animals.

Regardless of how stylish or modern your coop may be, always remember to perform routine cleanings in order to prevent stenches or insect colonies from taking hold. A common error made by chicken novices is that they construct coops upon flat surfaces.

They probably assume that since residential homes are built this way, coops should be too. However, chicken coops should not be built on flat surfaces, because when they are hosed down, the waste materials will have nowhere to go. This is certainly an unappealing prospect. Rather, the coop should be built with an inclined floor surface to facilitate drainage.

Simple coop construction must always integrate this type of sanitation feature. If the coop’s floor tilts a bit toward the back, the waste produced by the chickens can easily flow to the outside with just a brief spray of a hose on cleaning day.

Fencing made of chicken wire should be erected around the structure in order to keep predators away. Keep in mind that certain predators are inclined to dig under fencing to gain access to the chickens, so it is wise to bury a portion of the fencing material underground. Constructing chicken coops in a straightforward manner makes the raising of chickens a simpler, more enjoyable pastime going forward