Building a Chicken House Cheaply
Chickens make an excellent backyard pet. They are great for the garden as they eat up all the bugs that would otherwise munch on your favorite plants, and provide year-round fertilizer. People enjoy collecting their eggs, which are said to be healthier and tastier than those bought from the store. And chickens make a great conversation starter! If you are thinking about keeping your own flock of hens, it is important to have a good chicken house available for them to use.
When it comes down to it, looks don’t really matter. The chickens wouldn’t notice the difference if they were housed in a luxury cabin of quality woods or a shack constructed of scrap materials. What they want is a safe, dry place that is dark and quiet. If you can keep out the weather and animals that might eat your hens, the chickens will be pretty happy.
The house should provide easy access to water and food. It should be well-ventilated and have access to some light. You can add windows to your chicken house, with strong mesh coverings for added protection. Placed either side of the house, they will provide good cross-ventilation.
Doors make it easier to get into the chicken house and collect eggs or clean. Another idea that works well for smaller houses is to have a hinged lid. If you have doors, make a ramp leading up to the doors for the chickens to get in by.
The size of your hen house will reflect the number of chickens you will be keeping. Each chicken should have a nesting box and a good amount of perching space. They will need room to stretch and flap their wings.
Chicken houses should have a thick layer of hay or wood shavings covering the ground. Keep nesting boxes well supplied with fresh hay to encourage egg laying. Make sure that no dampness can seep up from under the hen house. You may need to use a concrete base or build the hen house up on stilts to keep out the moisture.
There are some great plans that are easy to follow when you want to build a chicken house today! Find a great do it yourself project that will not require any special equipment and make a chicken house fast and easy!
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