You have made the decision to keep chickens. Now you need to decide whether to build or buy their home. What should you do?
It all depends of course! The first step however is to determine if you really are the handyman you believe you have been for all these years. If so, then building a chicken coop can definitely be on the agenda. If not, then we suggest just stick with buying a chicken coop or commissioning one of your handier friends to do it for you. This is a good idea if you have some specific chicken coop designs in mind, but just can’t manage to build the coop yourself.
Building a coop can actually be quite expensive once you have come up with your basic coop design. There are many coop designs readily available on the Internet or you can design your own. If you plan to design your own, do take into account the ‘must have’ features in a coop. This will ensure your chickens are kept healthy, protected and alive.
We do recommend you plan out your design first before getting stuck in with a hammer and nails so that you do include everything you need to in the coop. Perhaps get someone else to review your coop plans before you dig the first hole. Once started, there is no going back!
If you don’t want to buy a coop, another option is to redesign an existing storage shed, bird aviary or dog kennel into a chicken coop. This generally doesn’t mean too much structural work has to happen other than ensuring any chicken runs you install protect the chickens and the appropriate roosts, nesting boxes and feeders are installed. So, costs can be kept quite low with repurposing an existing shed.
There are a huge range of pre-built coops available now if you don’t have the desire or capability to build your own coop. Make sure you consider your planned location for the coop before you commit to buying. You don’t want to purchase, and then find your local council will not allow such a structure, or the coop itself won’t fit in the area you wish to use in your backyard.
Whether you buy or build your hen house, you must ensure the coop protects your chickens from both the weather and predators such as dogs or kids! Additionally, it must be comfortable enough for your chickens to nest and lay their eggs, as well as roost at night. Finally, you should ensure that you have met any regulations in your area for the erection of chicken coops as some city councils can prohibit some types of structures meaning you could be fined or have the structure removed. Homeless chickens are not happy chickens.
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