What Materials Are Needed for Chicken Coops?

Frames

• Most chicken frames are metal or wood, new or recycled, but you can find frames made from other materials such as PVC pipe covered with tarp. Some of the concerns with a wooden frame include rot and various pests, like termites. Treated wood can be an option for infestations, but the chemicals used might be toxic to birds. Certain wood choices such as cedar are naturally pest resistant, to a point. Another option is to cover the wood with a nontoxic sealer.

  Chicken wire is a common metal material used for coops; however, some predators easily break through the wire. Check for sharp edges and smooth them down to prevent accidents with metal frames. One concern with PVC pipes is that they might be too lightweight; in heavy winds or with determined predators, the coop could tip over.

Floors

• Depending on the design, flooring can be dirt, concrete, brick, glass, vinyl, ceramic or even grass. Portable coop floors will obviously vary. Dirt floors are hard to maintain because chicken manure soaks into the soil. A sick chicken in the coop increase the chances of certain infections spreading. Cleaning the floor will mean scooping out the dirt and replacing it frequently. Other options will need cleaning but not in the same way, and not as frequently. Concrete or brick are common options for a stationery coop, but you can use ceramics, glass and vinyl, which are easy to wipe down.

Roof

• You can cover the coop with anything, as long as the roof protects the chickens from the elements. Popular choices include corrugated metal, wood and asphalt. Other materials are available, such as tarp and clear plastic roofing. A tarp roof is useful in portable coops. It is flexible, lightweight and will protect the chickens from the elements. Although clear plastic roofing can let more light into a coop, especially in winter, it can get too hot for the birds in certain conditions.