Now that you have decided you want to raise chickens, you need to decide how you are going to get your chicken coop.  There are 3 options:

1. Build your chicken coop yourself
2. Use DIY plans
3. Buy a ready made one

Build your chicken coop yourself – If you have the patience to build a chicken coop yourself, be sure to consider these 5 factors before you being to build.

1. Build a chicken coop for the number of chickens you intend to keep and ensure it is a good fit for your back yard.   Overcrowding will make the chickens miserable.  A happy chicken is a productive chicken.
2. The chicken coop should protect the birds from the weather and predators.  Ensure the birds are protected if  these change from season to season.
3. Ensure the chicken coop is well ventilated but not drafty.
4. Make sure the coop is people friendly as well, so that it’s easy to clean and also allows you to access a sick bird easily
5. Create roosts for the birds to roost at night as well as poop boards under the roosts.  This will allow you to remove the poop from your coop easily!

DIY plans – There are some great chicken coop plans available which give you plenty of designs to choose from that will ensure a good fit for you and your chickens.

Buy a ready made coop – This is the quickest and the most expensive way to buy a coop, although it is possible to buy cheaper second hand ones.  Be sure to check out these tips when buying a ready made coop.