The Chicken Run: 10 Steps to Designing Your Backyard

Keeping chickens in your backyard is a great way to ensure a constant supply of fresh eggs. However, keeping chickens requires more commitment than other backyard animals such as cats or dogs. They thrive in fully enclosed spaces with plenty of sunlight and fresh water. In this article you’ll discover how to design your own chicken run with the help of these ten tips. There are many benefits to keeping chickens in your backyard. They eat up unwanted pests, provide you with fresh eggs, and their manure can even be used as fertilizer for your garden! But, before you begin construction, there are several things that you need to keep in mind so that they stay happy and healthy.

Research your breeds

The first step in planning your backyard chicken coop is to research your breeds. Some breeds are better for backyard coops than others. Some breeds are more suited to colder climates, while others thrive in warmer climates. Some breeds are great for egg production, while others are more suited for meat production. The best way to narrow down your breeds is to decide on your needs. You will want to find breeds that thrive in your climate, produce the eggs that you want, and work well in your backyard space. chicken run

Plan for sunlight

After you have narrowed down your breeds, you need to think about how much sunlight they will receive in your backyard. Most breeds thrive in sunlight, but some breeds prefer higher shade. Chickens that are kept in the shade are less likely to go broody and produce as many eggs. If you live in a climate with seasonal changes, you may need to adjust the amount of sunlight your chickens receive throughout the year.

Decide on a door placement

Before you even begin construction, you need to decide where you want the doors to be on your coop. There are a few different options for where to place your coop door: – A walk-in coop – This is a coop that has a door large enough for humans to walk through. It’s best for coops that hold many chickens. – A pop-door coop – This is a smaller door that opens from the top like a trapdoor. – A regular door coop – This is the most common type of coop. It has a large enough door for humans to enter, but it’s also large enough for chickens to exit. Once you’ve decided on a door placement, make sure to leave room for a ramp or stairway for the chickens to easily exit. A common mistake is to make the coop door too low. It’s important to make sure that your chickens can easily exit and enter their coop through their door.

Estimate construction costs

Construction costs will vary based on your region and materials used, but you can estimate costs with this formula: Materials + Labor + Permits + Miscellaneous = Total Cost You can avoid sticker shock by slowly collecting materials as you go. Start by purchasing a coop plan that is easy to follow and can be built with common materials. Take your time and avoid rushing the construction process. Rushing can lead to poor quality work and lots of errors. Make sure to obtain any necessary permits before you begin constructing your coop.

Plan for drainage

Chickens need plenty of fresh and clean water. A constant supply of water will keep them healthy and happy. However, you do need to make sure that their water is not stagnated. Stagnated water can breed mosquitoes and other pests. One way to avoid this is to collect rainwater in a barrel and then pour it into your chickens’ water trough. Your coop should also be constructed with drainage in mind. Make sure that your coop’s floor is raised above the ground so that water cannot collect and stagnate.

Select fencing materials

The type of fencing you use will vary based on your region, state laws, and what you can afford. Common fencing materials are: Fence posts – These are secured in the ground and used as a base for fencing. Chicken wire – This is woven fencing that is often used for temporary fencing. Wood fencing – This is the most expensive fencing option. Chainlink fencing – This is made of metal and is very durable. Woven wire fencing – This is a combination of chainlink fencing and chicken wire. Temporary fencing can be used while you are collecting materials and building your permanent fencing. Permanent fencing should be secure enough to keep predators out, but easy enough for your chickens to move through it comfortably.

Pick out the right doors

There are a few different options for doors on your coop: – Dutch door – This is a door that has a lower and upper door. This allows your chickens to easily come and go as they please. – Drop door – This is a door that slides down from the top of the coop. It’s best for larger coops. – Swing door – This is a door that opens from the side like a regular door. The hinges are at the top on the inside of the coop. – Rolling door – This type of door is more like a lid that opens from the top. It can be difficult to keep pests out with this door. Make sure to keep your chickens safe from predators. Secure your chickens inside their coop at night and when you are not at home. Make sure that your doors close tightly to keep predators out. You can also place a grid over the door to keep larger pests out, such as raccoons, out of your coop.

Add in enrichment items

Cages are not the best environment for chickens. However, if properly designed and built, chicken coops can create a safe and enriching environment for your chickens. While designing your coop, keep the following in mind so that your chickens have a safe and enriching environment: – Make sure there is plenty of perching room. Chickens should have room to perch at all different levels. – Make sure there is plenty of floor space. Each chicken needs at least 2 square feet of floor space. – Make sure there is plenty of nest boxes. Each chicken needs at least 1 nest box. – Make sure there are doors for ventilation. Your coop should have a few holes for fresh air to come in and keep your chickens from getting too hot. – Make sure there are feed and water stations. Feed and water stations should be easy to access for your chickens.

Summing up

The best way to get started on your backyard chicken coop is to take the time to research your breeds. Once you decide on your breeds, you can start planning for how much sunlight they will receive. Once you have a rough plan in place, estimate your construction costs and slowly collect the materials that you need. Along the way, make sure to plan for drainage and select the right fencing materials. With a bit of planning and patience, you can create an enriching environment for your chickens that they will love.

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