Chicken Coop Design- 3 Things You Should Consider

When building a home for your chickens, chicken coop design should be carefully considered.  Having a great chicken coop design will not only make it easier for you to build, but it will also ensure that your chickens have a home that works for their needs.  So, here are 3 things you should consider during your chicken coop design.

Safety

Keeping your chickens safe from predators should be the first priority of your chicken coop design.  First, you need to make sure that the entry to the chicken coop is secure from other animals.  This is usually as simple as making sure the door closes completely and is not easily opened by animals.  Also to keep other animals from digging under the chicken coop, you might want to bury chicken wire or another similar metal mesh material around the perimeter of the coop.

Maintenance

As with safety, your chickens’ health should be a top priority in your chicken coop design.  Your chicken coop will need to be cleaned often to keep the chickens from getting sick.  The chicken coop design should allow for easy cleaning.  One thing to consider designing is a sloped floor that will allow water and other debris to drain out of the coop.  This will make it quicker and easier for you to clean.  It’s also a good idea to keep any supplies you need close by.

Environment

Your chickens’ environment should also be an important consideration in your chicken coop design.  Not only do you need to plan for your chickens to have plenty of space, you also need to consider natural elements like extreme cold, heat and rain.  For instance, it’s best to pick a location for your coop that isn’t prone to flooding and will dry out quickly after heavy rain. 

During the warm months, it’s necessary to have proper ventilation to keep the chickens cool.  This can be accomplished by having windows or doors that can be opened to allow the air to circulate.  During the cold months, heat needs to be kept inside the coop, so your chicken coop design should allow for plenty of insulation.  You may also want to consider some kind of heating element like lamps that can keep the chickens warm when the temperatures are freezing.   

If you want to learn even more about chicken coop design, there are a few online guides that will walk you step by step through designing the coop, making the plans, and building a chicken coop that you and your chickens will enjoy for years to come.