Recently, a chicken coop primarily made of Ikea products was featured on the IkeaHacker blog:

Click here to see more pictures and read about the Ikea chicken coop...

The family who built this coop spent about $400 to make it.  However, they did make one "deadly" mistake.  They used green plastic chicken mesh to enclose the coop.  Unfortunately, their foster dog broke into the coop and killed their four chickens.  Lesson learned - now they have three new chicks, and have replaced the plastic mesh with wire.

I have to admit, their coop is beautiful.  However, if it were mine, in addition to wire hardware cloth, there are a few other modifications I would make:

*  First, their coop is fairly open and does not appear to provide protection from the cold.  I am guessing they live in a warm climate (yep, the palm trees in the picture gave it away).  However, here in Indiana, this coop would be useless when the cold weather hits.

* There are no perches!  According to the description and pictures on IkeaHacker, the storage unit and drawers are being used as beds for the chickens.  I am guessing these will also double as nesting boxes when the chickens are ready to start laying.  Due to the obvious poo problem, I would not recommend this type of arrangement.

* It appears from the pictures on the IkeaHacker site that they are using softwood shavings as their litter material.  However, since the coop is not completely enclosed, there is a good likelihood that rain will be able to blow into the coop.  In this situation, I would personally opt for bark or gravel for covering the floor, and use the shavings in the nesting boxes.

So, now that you have heard what I think, it's your turn - what do you think?  Will we be seeing more urban chicken coops made from Ikea furniture?

This post is from Chicken Coop Plans, where you can learn more about raising chickens.

Urban Chicken Coops from Ikea?

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Depending upon where you live, you may be able to start a profitable side business selling premade chicken coops.  I recently came across an article about a couple from Oregon who are doing just that:

• Read the article from the Bend (Oregon) Bulletin

According to the article, the couple's custom cabinet shop, that they have operated since 1975, was hit hard by the current economic downturn.  Instead of giving up, they decided to think outside of the box, and began building and selling chicken tractors, compact greenhouses, compost bins, and raised bed gardening systems.

Their products, and especially their mobile chicken coops, have been a huge hit with their customers.  They realized that they were onto something, and recently opened a gardening store.  Although the economy is taking its toll on many businesses, it's inspirational to see this couple's business thriving in spite of everything.

This post is from Chicken Coop Plans, where you can learn more about raising chickens.

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So, while the sun is still shining and the days are still long and warm, let's talk about how you can winterize your coop so that your chickens stay warm even when its twenty below zero.

First of all, some breeds are hardier than others, and can better adapt to cold climates. Scots Dumpy, Orpington, and Wyandottes are just a few examples of breeds that will tolerate lower temperatures. If you have not purchased any birds yet, make sure you take some time to research breeds that will do well in your climate.

However, even the hardiest breeds may experience problems with frostbite on their combs and wattles. Coat these with Vaseline, which will protect their skin and keep it from freezing when the temperatures dip down.

Second, think about adding insulation to your coop. There are a number of materials you can use for this. For example, I recently talked to someone that used foam board.  Although I have only used "traditional" insulation, I think foam core is an interesting idea, and I just might have to give it a try one of these days.  When insulating, make sure you do not cover up any of your ventilation holes. Your birds will still need their fresh air.

Some doting chicken owners even include the purchase of heaters in their cold weather chicken coop plans. To keep things short and to the point here, I will talk about this at a later time. As a matter of fact, there are several gizmos and gadgets you can buy, from heated water containers to microwavable Snugglesafe heat pads and more.  When the snow hits, I will talk about these options a little more.  Now, getting back on track...

If you want your chickens to continue laying eggs in the wintertime, you may want to install a couple of lightbulbs in their coop. Egg laying slows down considerably during the wintertime due to the lack of sunlight. You can trick your hens into thinking the days are longer by using electrical lights.

Well, there's a quick look at cold weather chicken coop plans. If you think of anything I left out, feel free to leave a comment below...

photo credit: tillwe

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It makes you think about how things will be ten years from now.  Will Fido be sharing his dog house and water bowl with a small flock of hens?  It really makes me wonder...

Take the Eglu, for example.  Not even a decade ago, this plastic chicken coop would have been scoffed at by people who raise chickens.  These days, it's a hot seller, with people willing to plunk down a hefty sum of cash to have one in their yard.  Even used ones!  Not too long ago, I came across an eBay auction for a pre-owned Eglu.  The auction still had a couple of days left, but at the time, it had already received sixteen bids, with a current offer of $300.00!

Eglus are nifty, but they are not the only urban chicken coops available.  Any kind of coop that is attractive and fits in well with your landscaping will keep your neighbors from squawking "fowl" play.  While browsing the web recently, I even saw a coop disguised as a garbage can (actually, I thought it resembled a compost bin).  However, the theory behind the design was that people in urban areas are so used to seeing garbage cans, they are "blind" to them.  Sneaky, huh?

This brings me to my next point.  Unfortunately, chickens are misunderstood by many city dwellers.  They have a reputation for being smelly and noisy.  As far as noise, hens are a fairly quiet bunch (much quieter than the teenage boys next door!).  It's the roosters that are a problem.  Hens will be more than happy laying eggs without a rooster present, so if you don't plan to breed your birds, there's really no need for cock-a-doodle-doos at four o'clock in the morning.

As far as the smell - well, you can't really blame the birds.  It's the owner's responsibility to maintain their coop and run.  By using a portable chicken ark or coop, many of the problems with keeping the run clean are taken care of.  Of course, the coop will still need to be cleaned, but it's not too difficult, as long as you make a regular habit of it.

Getting back to the original point...

If you would love to welcome chickens into your backyard, you will first need to look into your local laws.  What are the rules regarding having livestock within city limits?  Many places do allow hens, but for obvious reasons, ban their noisier male counterparts.  Some have restrictions on how many birds you can own, or have minimum requirements for how much land you must have in order to raise chickens.

Of course, some cities still have a strict "no chickens allowed" policy.  If you live in one of the cities, realize that you can change things - it just might take a little work on your part.

Next, you will need to address the concerns of your neighbors.  Educate them on the benefits of raising chickens.  Show them different urban chicken coop plans and pictures, and get their feedback.  Assure then that your chickens will be quiet and clean, and will not interfere with their use and enjoyment of their own property.

I'm sure I will talk about urban chicken coops more, but as I have rambled on for too long already, I will open it up to your comments...

photo credit: thomas pix

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However, at night, you will want to make sure your flock is safely tucked inside their coop as soon as the sun begins to set. Many of their predators are nocturnal and attack under the cover of dark. If you are delayed at the office or enjoying a night out on the town with your family and friends, you may not like what you come home to find.

This is where automatic chicken coop doors come in handy...

Your birds know when it's bedtime. They will instinctively return to their coop when it's time. However, if you are not able to shut them in safe and sound, they won't be able to close the door on their own - which means that they are still susceptible to attacks.

We came across a couple of handy do it yourself plans that will do the job of closing up the coop when you are not around to do it. The first one uses a drapery motor and controller, a weight, and a 24 hour day timer. Check it out at buildeazy.com.

The second design also uses a digital timer, but instead of the drapery motor, it uses a car door lock actuator. Check it out at nifty-stuff.com.

Remember, although a chicken coop automatic door is great as a backup plan, you should not count on it to do the job all the time. I would use it only in those special situations when you have other commitments and can't be in two places at once.

photo credit: Michael Brannon

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Wood or plastic? These are the two most common materials used in construction of coops, with wood being the most popular. Wood is durable, easily repaired, and affordable.

Some newer coops are now being made from plastic. Plastic coops are easier to clean, more resistant to damage, and do not attract mites and rodents. This convenience comes at a price though. For example, the Eglu, a small coop that is popular with urban chicken owners, has a starting price of around $500.00.

Now let's look at some of the most popular shapes for chicken coop designs...

A chicken ark has a simple A-frame design that is suitable for raising a small flock of birds (generally two to four birds). One of the advantages of this design is that it is portable, and can be moved to various places in the yard, eliminating the need to maintain a run, as well as providing your birds with a healthy, varied free range diet. In chicken arks, the roosting space and nesting boxes are either above the run or integrated on one side of the run.

Another common type of coop is a raised hen house, with a ramp leading up to the pop hole. Many of these also include a covered, integrated run. This type of coop design has two major advantages. First, rodents can't take up shelter beneath the coop. Second, if the run is integrated in the design, it makes good use of space, because the birds will also be able to use the area under the hen house.

The last type of chicken coop design that I want to talk about is the shed style. These commonly have either a slanted or gable style roof. Many of them are existing structures that were first used for storage by their owners, and then later converted to coops. However, some people specifically build this type of coop because it can easily house several birds.

Well, that wraps up our quick look a the most common chicken coop designs. As always, if you are just getting started, we recommend making a small investment in a good set of chicken coop plans.

photo credit: jakesmome

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What size should I make the nesting boxes?

A good size for average breeds is 12" x 12" x 8".  You may want to make it smaller if you are raising bantams, or larger for bigger breeds.  However, as long as you make the box slightly bigger than the anticipated size of your mature chickens, they will be more than happy.

What materials should I use to build the boxes?

Wood and plastic are both good choices.  Many people prefer plastic because it wipes up easily, but it's really your choice, and it may even depend on what you have lying around. Plastic buckets and drawers from old furniture are just a couple of examples of items you can use.

What type of litter should I use?

Straw or light-colored softwood shavings are two good choices.  To prevent cracked eggs, make sure you provide a generous layering.

Where should I place the nesting boxes?

Select a dark corner in your coop that is out of direct sunlight.  You will also want to place the nesting boxes lower than the perches, so that the birds do not decide to sleep (and subsequently poop) in them.  If the boxes are not at floor level, you should install a rail along the bottom of the boxes to prevent eggs from rolling out.  Finally, for your own convenience, you may want to set the nesting boxes up so that you can access them from the exterior of the coop.

Your chicken coop plans are not complete without nesting boxes.  However, as long as you keep these general guidelines in mind, it should be an easy task.

photo credit: jakesmome

This post is from Chicken Coop Plans, where you can learn more about raising chickens.

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Before I chit chat any more, here are the ones I recommend...

The one great thing about these is that you don't have to wait around for them.  They are downloadable, which means they could be in your hands within the next five minutes.  Ten minutes from now, you could be getting in your truck with a complete list of materials, driving to a nearby lumber store.  And by the end of this weekend, you could have a brand new, handmade chicken coop sitting in your backyard.  That's the beauty of the internet.  I don't know how it works - I just know it does!

I also really like the fact that these plans provide details for three different size coops - small, medium and large.  Today, you may be thinking that a couple of chickens are all you need, but after having these pleasant birds around for some time, you may decide you want to expand your flock.  If and when you come to this decision, you can refer back to these plans, and build a bigger coop.

Need another reason?  Well, unless you have owned chickens for some time, you may be a little lost as to what your birds will really need.  This leaves the door wide open to problems.  Once those problems do become apparent, then you will have to spend additional money (and time) to fix them.

Replacing chicken wiring, hardware, and lumber can be expensive.  Also, it's likely these fixes will need to be made at the most inconvenient times.  Raccoons, foxes, neighborhood dogs - they don't have a schedule like we do.  They don't care that a mid-week attack will put you at conflict with getting through that pile of paperwork sitting on your desk at the office and fixing the coop (if you are lucky enough to have any survivors!).

A good set of chicken coop building plans will help you get things right from the beginning - and in the long run, it will save you time, money, and hassles.

This post is from Chicken Coop Plans, where you can learn more about raising chickens.

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If your search is not successful, you may be able to track one down online.  We found a few good sources:

• Green Roof Chicken Coop Kits
• Eglu Cube Chicken House by Omlet
• Brougham ConvertiCoop Kit from Catawba Coops

Not to henpack or anything, but one major disadvantage to purchasing online is that you end up spending quite a bit of money to pay for shipping and handling.  After all, chicken coops are not a lightweight little bundle that the UPS man can just plop on your front porch.  Even if the vendor claims to provide "free shipping", you can bet your bottom dollar these costs are added into the price.

A good alternative is to build one from scratch.  If you can get your hands on a good set of chicken coop plans, you may be surprised at what you can build in a weekend.  The best plans come with detailed blueprints and material lists, and although you will have to cut your own lumber, there really is not much additional effort involved.

As always, if you find any other good sources of chicken coop kits, we would love to hear about them.  Just leave a quick comment below...

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When placing a chicken coop, a little pre-planning will definitely help to prevent problems later on.  In addition to how the coop will look in your yard, think about what will keep your chickens happy.

In the heat of summer, a cool shady spot for your birds is ideal.  If you have a nice shade tree under which you can place the chicken coop, then take advantage of it.

Another thing you will want to think about is the placement of the pophole (the bird entrance).  Where I am at in Indiana, the bad weather always seems to blow in from the west or the north.  For this reason, I would avoid placing the pophole in either of these directions, to prevent rain from directly blowing inside the coop.

For the same reason, I would also avoid facing any of the windows toward these directions.  Ideally, the windows should be be located so that they coop is warmed by the afternoon sun.  This will help keep it warmer when cooler weather comes.

You will also want to put it in a location that is easy for you to maintain.  You will be at the coop daily, refilling feed and water, so you want to make sure that it is not situated too far out.

As you can see, placing a chicken coop is not difficult, but a little forethought does go a long way.  A good set of chicken coop plans also helps!

photo credit: bucklava

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However, when deciding on their chicken coop plans, most people select wood because:

* It is fairly inexpensive.  If you are good at salvaging and recycling, it may even be free.

* It is easy to repair.  Broken or split boards can easily be replaced - all you really need is your hammer and nails.

* It is durable.  It can withstand bad weather conditions and will last for many years.

The downside to wooden chicken coops is that they are the perfect home for rodents and red mites.

Mice and rats like to take up residency under low lying chicken houses.  It's easy for them to gnaw through wooden floors, and once inside, they will feast on spilled chicken feed and even eggs.  Keep a lookout for signs that these unwelcome critters have arrived.  When they do, eradicate them as soon as possible by using poisons and setting traps.

Red mites love to hide in the dark corners of wooden chicken coops.  At night, they come out and feed on the birds as they sleep on their roosts.  Red mites can cause significant irritation, and may even cause your chickens to pluck out their own feathers.  To combat red mites, first use a pressure washer to clean the interior of your chicken coop, then disinfect with a poultry safe product.

Despite these problems, wooden chicken coops are one of the best ways you can house your birds.  Just keep your eyes open for problems, and take care of them as soon as you notice them.

photo credit: jelkeschaafsma

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For example, if you build a coop that is 4 ft. x 3 ft. x 3 ft. (for a total of 36 square feet), you should have enough space to comfortably fit four birds.  Smaller breeds, such as the bantams, may need less space, and larger breeds, such as Jersey Giants, will require more.

If you are still not sure how much space you should allot for each bird, err on the side of caution by starting with fewer birds, or making a bigger structure than you think you will need.

Remember too that your birds will need a place to stretch their legs.  If you are unable to offer free range type conditions, make sure you have enough space for a proper run.  As an alternative to using a small chicken coop with an attached run, you may also want to consider building a portable chicken tractor.

photo credit: Arwen Twinkle

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First, look around your home and garage to see if you already have materials you can use.  After all, if you are making the chicken coop yourself, the cost of materials is really where your expenses will add up.  Anything you don't have to buy will save you money.

Need an example?  I recently heard about someone that made a chicken tractor, using an old wooden bedframe as a base.  With a little creativity, you should be able to think of ways to recycle your castoffs for this purpose.

Next, comparison shop for any supplies you will need.  Many of the big box retailers occasionally run special deals on lumber and other supplies - some even have a scrap pile that you can dig through.  Also, don't forget to check auctions, flea markets, and classified ads for ways to pick up inexpensive supplies.

Finally, if possible, consider converting any existing structures on your property.  With a few simple modifications, an old garden shed or even a dog house can be made into a cheap chicken coop.

photo credit: ninepennies

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Where will the chicken coop be located?  Deciding on a good location is very important, not only from an aesthetic viewpoint, but from a practical one as well.  Make sure you can easily carry feed and water to your chickens.  Also, if you have nearby neighbors, address any concerns they may have regarding the location of your chicken coop.

Do you need any building permits?  Depending on the size of your structure, you may be required to obtain a building permit prior to starting construction.  Research your local ordinances to find out what steps, if any, you need to take before starting.

How many chickens do you plan to keep?  You will need to make sure your chicken coop is adequately sized for the number of birds you plan to keep, as well as the types of breeds.  As a general rule, allot a 3 foot x 3 foot space for each chicken, give or take depending on the size of the breed.

How much do you have budgeted for the project?  Even if you are working on a tight budget, make sure you use materials that will last and provide adequate protection and shelter for your birds.

Make sure you include adequate ventilation and natural light.  Your chickens also need these to thrive and be healthy.

What's your climate?  If it's hot and sunny, you may want to position your chicken coop in a shady area of your backyard.  If you have bitterly cold winters, you may want to consider adding some extra insulation to the interior of your coop.

Provide nest boxes and perches.  You should have one nest box for every three to four birds.  A twelve inch square 8-10 inches deep is a good size box for most birds.  You should also provide roosting perches for the chickens to use at night when they sleep.  To avoid any chicken fights, make sure to position all perches at the same height.  They should be placed well above floor level and higher than the nesting boxes.  If necessary, build a ramp or ladder to make the perch more easily accessible for your birds.

These are just a few pointers for building a chicken coop.  A good set of chicken coop plans will also help. If you would like more information, stick around awhile and do some more reading...

photo credit: erix!

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What are your local laws?

Surprisingly, many cities do allow hens within city limits, although for obvious reasons, roosters are not as welcome.  Make sure your plans do not violate local laws before proceeding.

What are your neighborhood rules and covenants?

Even if local laws allow chickens, make sure your neighborhood association does not have any rules that present obstacles.

How do your neighbors feel?

Make sure your neighbors are on board with your plans.  If you get their consent from the beginning, this should prevent running into problems down the road.  If necessary, bribe them with the promise of a few fresh eggs.

What size structure do you plan to build?

Small structures, such as chicken tractors or converted dog houses, should pose no problem.  However, larger structures, such as a garden shed, may require a building permit.

How to you plan to incorporate your backyard chicken coop into your landscaping?

Make sure you think about aesthetics.  Farmers can hide an unsightly structure behind the barn.  However, with backyard chicken coops, you will need to put a little more thought into how it will look.

photo credit: RJL20

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Thank you for stopping by DIY Chicken Coop Plans!

Here's a little bit about this site...

Chickens are not too fussy.  With a safe, dry roof over their heads, plenty of fresh water, full bellies, a place to get some exercise, and a bit of TLC, most will reward you with an abundant supply of tasty eggs (and more!).

Chicken coops and runs, arks and tractors, eglus and kits - it can be a little overwhelming trying to determine which type of structure will provide the best environment for your birds.  I know.  I was once in your position, scratching my head, wondering just where to start.

It is important to me that you are successful.  That is why I will regularly be posting here, to give you the information you need to get off on the right foot.

Finally, I will try not to go on my soapbox too much.  However, if you have ever read about the living conditions of animals raised in commercial facilities, it's heartbreaking.  The abuse they endure is not healthy - for us or for them.   By erecting a chicken coop in your backyard, you are doing more than you know to help overcome this problem, while at the same time, providing your family with a source of natural, healthy eggs, your gardens with free fertilizer.

photo credit: thievingjoker

This post is from Chicken Coop Plans, where you can learn more about raising chickens.

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