How to Raise a Chicken Coop

Raising your own chicken coop can be a fascinating pastime that brings many rewards. As well as enjoying the pleasure of seeing chicks growing on a daily basis, enthusiasts can also reap the benefits of a regular supply of eggs. Chickens are a great alternative to chemical-based weed killers and are also an excellent source of natural fertilizer. Those with an interest in breeding chickens can sell them to other enthusiasts for a profit, although many will simply enjoy the presence of fun, amiable pets that are absolutely packed with personality.

Things You'll Need

  • Garden space
  • Books on raising chickens
  • Coop
  • Chicken wire
  • Bedding
  • Feed
  • Water bowls
  • Incubator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spend some time finding out whether or not you'll be allowed to legally keep chickens in your backyard before purchasing chickens. As well as the welfare of your livestock, you also have a responsibility to those living nearby. Visit the Backyard Chickens website using the resource provided to review your obligations. Input your state and city into the L.O.R.E. search engine to find full details about laws, ordinances, your rights and your entitlements.

    • 2

      Decide where you are going keep your chickens. If you have a large backyard or garden, select an area where your chickens will get an equal amount of sunshine and shade, especially if you live in an area with a warm climate. Allocate enough space for the amount of chickens you want to purchase. In an outside run, each individual chicken will require approximately five square feet of space.

    • 3

      Carry out some research into keeping chickens as pets before spending money on expensive equipment. As soon as you have chickens in your backyard, you will have a daily responsibility to feed and water them, muck out their bedding and keeping their outside run clean. This is a serious undertaking that requires an equal amount of serious thought. Visit the library or bookstore to find informational literature. Many pet stores also stock books for beginners.

    • 4

      Build or purchase a coop for your chickens to roost or nest in. The Chicken Coop Plans website offers some great instructional information on how to create your own living quarters. Alternatively, the Henspa website has a number of ready-made solutions than can be purchased by mail order. Remember to buy bedding, water bowls, food and chicken wire to contain your birds within the allocated area. A chicken requires approximately three square feet of living space inside a coop.

    • 5

      Decide whether you are going to raise your own newly-born chickens or if you'd prefer to start with fully grown specimens once your coop and outdoor space are established. For beginners, a fully grown bird will provide a much better option that requires less day-to-day care than newly born chickens. Feed stores, farms and livestock markets are all great places to find chickens for your new coop.