Building a Chicken Coop – First Steps

If you’re just starting to keep chickens, a great way to save money is to build a simple chicken coop yourself. Although there are some good ready-made chicken coops they can be expensive, and normally you still need to assemble the panels yourself. For a first flock – say three chickens a chicken ark could be a good solution. Chicken arks are the simple triangular shaped Chicken Coops that have an integral run.

The easiest to type to build has a nest box and roosting space at one end and a run at the other. Building a chicken ark is a simple project that only takes a day, so you could get your chicken ark built and chickens installed over a weekend. It’s is a great family project too and will get your children interested in the whole process of caring for your chickens if they help with the building.

Children do like chickens - chickens are light and their feathers are quite soft. They have different personalities too, so children enjoy observing their behaviour and daily habits. Depending on the ages of your children, they will be able to help building the chicken ark by doing something: fetching and organising the materials, telling you what to do next, assembling some of the pieces or even building the entire chicken ark by themselves.

The principle behind the chicken ark is that you move it each day so the chickens get fresh ground to graze. But you could leave it in one place if you let the chickens out. They will clear rough ground for you; scratch up bugs and insects, and clear beds in the autumn.

If you do move the ark every day, you will get fertilised ground, but they won’t clear it completely. This can be a good plan if you want to keep your chicken ark on your lawn and still want some grass left. Although arks are simple, some good plans will save you time and trouble and you’ll know all the requirements have been designed in:

• Covered roosting space that can be secured

• A predator proof run

• Nesting space

• Easy access for cleaning

• A way of letting the chickens out (and in) easily

• Simple constructions that only needs basic tools

Finally check the plans are easy to follow, tell you what materials to use and have clear diagrams. We’ve found loads on the Internet, but most are either rather strange designs or the instructions are very sketchy. We like these chicken ark plans that also include plans for two other designs: a simple rectangular hen house (which could be your next chicken coop – or an alternative if you want a fixed chicken coop) and a large chicken coop for a bigger flock. If you’re just starting out, these instructions and plans for building a chicken coop are all you need, as there’s also a comprehensive guide to keeping chickens. Just add the hens – three brooders (hens that are about to start laying) and you’re done. In less than a weekend you’ll be all set to enjoy keeping chickens and collecting beautiful ‘home grown’ eggs.

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