Chicken Coops Plans
Sandy asks…
Ever feel like you are in a chicken coop?
For some reason, the more I hear my Christian brethren on here telling people who don't believe as they do that Satan is going to get them for not believing, the more frustrated I become with the concept of heaven and hell. I am a Christian; I believe and have accepted (a long time ago) Jesus as my savior. I just can't buy the concept that God created us in this giant coop and the devil is the fox skulking around outside just waiting to get his jaws on the poor defenseless chicken....it seems too much like the threats of power hungry man, yet again threatening the masses to go along with his plans.
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Do you ever feel like you are eating chicken poop?
John asks…
Previous or present chicken owners HELP!?
Hello, i have two questions, if you know one or both please feel free to post your answer(s)!!!
Ok well this summer I am planning on building a chicken coop! I have it sorta planned out! Well I'm planning to have a chick coop (with extra chicken space to they have free space) attached to an outside area! This outside area is going to be fenced in like a box, now here are my questions!
1.) I am having that door that they can go outside, shall i keep that open at night or put a door on at night, im thinking either it will blow in cold air or other predators!
2.) If im going to have 8 chickens how big shall i make my coop, also remember i would like if they could have a lil more space then needed so they have free room! also how big should i make the outside area? or should i even put an outside area in?
Building Chicken Coops answers:
1.) We like to close our chicken coop door at night, because if we don't than a raccoon or something could come in and get our chickens. It also does help to keep them warmer in the winter.
2.) The coop itself doesn't have to be too big, but chickens do like to have room to roam around. We have 4 chickens, and they have the back half of our yard to roam around in, though chickens generally don't need quite that much room.
Mandy asks…
Where can I find some good chicken coop plans?
I have chickens in my back yard and I have trouble with foxes and other predators. I need to fins some good chicken coop plans that are secure and at the same time aren't an eyesore when you look out the kitchen window. Any ideas anyone?
Building Chicken Coops answers:
I had the same problem a few years ago. I found some great plans at http://www.designerchickencoops.org
they look cool and are practical and strongly designed too.
Susan asks…
Chicken coop plans?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
i am getting 5 chicks soon but they will need a chicken coop nothing fancy just something simple for the garage or backyard small but still roomy
any plans or websites for them
Building Chicken Coops answers:
You can find some info on this site:
http://buildyourchickencoop.com/
Lizzie asks…
Best breed of chicken for backyard coops?
I am planning on starting my own flock...have started the research process but I'm interested in a good all around dual purpose chicken for fresh eggs and good muscling for meat. Egg color doesn't matter but do love white eggs but either brown or white is fine? A list of top 5 suggestions and reasons why if possible... Thx!
Building Chicken Coops answers:
My personal flock consists of a redrock, which is a cross between a rhode island red and a barred rock
-she is one of the largest (7lbs) nicest, and best layer but she does lay brown eggs
-A Brahma, who is very friendly and not flighty, Brahmas are known for their calm nature
-An Australorp who is also tame and calm
-and a Silkie, who is a little flightier but very active and fun. I have many others, as I have a sanctuary, but these are my "pets" are I recommend them highly
Mary asks…
A fox keeps scaring my rabbit!?
I have a lop eared rabbit, he lives outside in a big hutch which has a run down the bottom. But there is this fox that is obviously after my rabbit because it keeps coming in my garden and we have seen it before right near my rabbits hutch and we scared it away. This week it has been leaving faeces all over my garden and last night it was in the garden by my rabbits hutch again. I have 2 dogs but that doesn't seem to keep it out of my garden. My rabbit is use to other animals because he see's my 2 guinea pigs when I let them out to run around (in the day time) and also when I bring him indoors he sits with both of my dogs on the sofa and doesn't mind them at all but I heard that just seeing a fox could give a rabbit a heart attack and yesterday when the fox ran off I went to check on my rabbit and he wouldn't stop stamping his foot! What can I do to stop the fox from trying to get my rabbit and how can I make sure my rabbit isn't scared?
p.s His hutch is safe and secure but I don't want him to be scared. This is a link to his hutch http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=big+chicken+coop&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=948&bih=463&tbm=isch&tbnid=on2VR7-Lx8ROdM:&imgrefurl=http://www.plans4buildachickencoop.com/images-chicken-coop-plans/&docid=Y5puzwkjViRTUM&w=300&h=200&ei=0hl2ToSlNK6k0AWPzZWXCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=446&vpy=182&dur=22&hovh=160&hovw=240&tx=142&ty=100&page=2&tbnh=106&tbnw=128&start=10&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:10
pps soz for the long link, an I know his hutch is a chicken coop but it can also be used for rabbits and guinea pigs! an soz this is so long!
I refuse to trap the fox that is cruel! And so is electric fencing!
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Look, I know that you think that trapping the fox is cruel but you do not have a lot of options in this case. Either you get rid of the fox or you take your rabbit inside. Possibly set up a dog yard around the rabbit cage and let your dogs in there at night to guard. Foxes are clever animals, and you need something much thicker than chicken wire between your bunny and the fox. Do remember that you have a responsibility towards all your pets. If you think it is in danger, then you should either take care of that danger, or, as I said, move your bun indoors. You are responsible for the lives of all your animals and that is not a small thing. Make sure it stays alive and healthy within all reasonable costs.
George asks…
gotta make a chicken coop model?!?
i have to make a chicken coop model smaller than a school desk,
what are some materials tha can bend because my coop is rounded.
its like a half circle 
any help is appreciated,
i am planning on coating it with aluminum foil to make it look metal,
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Another way to get the metal look would be to go to a building supply store Home Depot or something and buy some flashing. It bends easy, cuts with tin snips and will give you the metal look you are going for. You should be able to glue it together. Make sure you wear gloves. And bend over the edges so they are not sharp.
Http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xhs/R-100054269/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
William asks…
Questions about 400 watt inverter powering a light bulb?
I have a 400 watt inverter hooked to a rechargeable marine battery. I was wondering: How long it would take to drain the battery if I used it to power a 15-20 watt light bulb. I plan on using it to light a chicken coop for 4-6 hours a day, but I've never used an inverter so I have no clue if this is a good idea or not.
Building Chicken Coops answers:
Depends on the battey.
The 400 watt inverter will not use 400watt but 20 watt. Incase you are wondering. But If you want more efficiency use a smaller inverter. Or LED that will take power directly from battery
Lisa asks…
Small chicken coop that 2x6?
I have a little shed from when I had my first had ducks its 2x6 and about 3 feet tall Im getting 5 chicken 3 black sex links and 2 araucanas. Will this little shed work I do plan on making the nesting boxes on the outside so there easy toget.
Building Chicken Coops answers:
It is plenty if that is where they are going to roost for the night. If that is all the space they have, it isn't nearly enough for five chickens.
