In the first two posts on How to Build a Chicken Coop, we’ve covered the types of chicken coops you can build and the different building supplies that you should think about, it’s time now to look at building a coop that will last and what you should be doing in order to maintain the structural integrity of your chicken coop.
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 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 will be built on a more sturdy foundation.
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.
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.
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. In the next post of How to Build a Chicken Coop, we’ll look at how to protect your chickens, so that’s one post you really don’t want to miss. Considering a predator could easily take out your entire coop it’s something you must protect yourself from.
Until next time, stay safe, work hard, and as always, thanks for stopping by MVB Crafts.
Regards,
P.S.
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