Changing Chicken Coop Plans To Suit Your Needs

By Janice Forester

People who enjoy putting things together with their own two hands often look at various methods of doing something before they start on their creation. Animal enclosures are something that people often make themselves. Modifying chicken coop plans can help you make a great custom coop, or perhaps a run for a rabbit.

Most chickens are raised these days by large commercial farms, whether they are intended for meat or egg production. However, having a few birds for personal use (meat, eggs, or show) is becoming more popular. Small coops that are often homemade are the most popular choice of enclosure in most cases. They can be purchased, but are often quite expensive.

Working from ready-made plans can be easier, but a bit restrictive. If you are comfortable with your skills, changing the plans up a bit can make a better enclosure for your space. Plans for coops need to be modified if you are going to house another species, such as a rabbit, of course.

Wood combined with wire mesh is the most common building material. The space requirements depend on several things, including how much space you have. If you don’t have much space, you might want to consider bantam chickens, which are smaller than traditional birds and need less space. In general, the more space, the better.

If you want your enclosure to be portable, you will need to keep it relatively small and light. An enclosure with a wood frame and wire sides, top and bottom can often be moved with only two people. One reason for wire bottoms is reduce the cleaning necessary by simply moving it around your yard. Your animals can also supplement their diet with natural plants and insects when this is done, as well.

Because animals kept in these enclosures, whether they be chickens, rabbits, or something else, are small and vulnerable, it is especially important that they be secure. Having a completely enclosed area where the animals can retreat for safety is essential, as well. Use strong mesh– chicken wire is sometimes not sufficient if you have larger predators around.

Weather is another important consideration. While chickens are likely to be kept outside year-round, sometimes rabbit owners let their pets live indoors sometimes and not during other times. A rabbit that is expected to winter outdoors should be kept outdoors from the fall on, so that his or her system has time to adjust. A completely enclosed area is part of most chicken coop plans, and this area should be big enough for comfort yet small enough to trap body heat.

You can get chicken coop design ideas and a complete review of important factors to consider before picking chicken coop plans on our site, today.

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Topics: Pets | Comments Off

Tags: Chicken Coop Plan, Chicken coop plans, chicken farm, coop plan, coop plans, DIY chicken coop, diy chicken coops, do-it-yourself, farming chickens, hen house plan, hen house plans, Pets, poultry, raising chickens, raising livestock

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