How to Build a Chicken Farm

Chickens are active, sociable birds that prefer living in small ranging flocks of no more than a dozen or so, according to the Oregon State University Extension Service. They are ground-dwelling by day and roosting by night. Therefore, yards for roaming and coops with roosting and nesting areas are critical elements of a healthy chicken farm. Chickens are hardy but will survive better if protected from predators and extreme weather. Poultry are the easiest of all livestock because their housing can be simple and inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

  • Coop
  • Nesting boxes
  • Fencing
  • Roosting posts
  • Electrical lights
  • Litter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine whether you want the coop to be portable or permanent. You can obtain numerous plans from your local agricultural extension service. Build a coop. According to the University of Maryland's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the best chicken coops (also called poultry houses) protect your chickens from predators. They are sturdy, well ventilated, easy to clean, large enough to accommodate your flock and built from economical building material.

    • 2

      Build a roost in your coop. At night, chickens love to roost on a sturdy wide stick, branch or plank off the ground. Sticks or branches should not be any higher than three feet off the ground and about two feet apart. Planks should be laid at about a 60-degree angle off the ground.

    • 3

      Build a nesting box for hens to lay eggs. Three to four hens can comfortably share a nest. Boxes should be 1.5 times larger than your hen, with wire mesh flooring covered with straw and a sloped roof.

    • 4

      Create a large yard for roaming. The more space you give your chickens, the happier and healthier they will be. A minimum of 3 square feet per chicken is recommended. Surround the yard with a high fence to keep birds from flying out, and cover with hard wire cloth to keep predators out.