Author Archives: Farhan sheikh

About Farhan sheikh

My name is Farhan Ahsan,I am web enthusiast, writer and blogger. I always strive to be passionate about my work. I started my work at the beginning of 2007 by engaging myself with detail reading and exchanging information with others. Since then things and times have changed, but one thing remains the same and that is my passion for helping and educating people, building a successful blog and delivering quality content to the readers. The particular interests that brought me in the world of blogging are gardening, wildlife, nature, farming and livestock.

23 Duck House Plans With Tutorials That You Can Build In A Weekend

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Coming up with your own duck house plans and building a duck house on your own is easier and more affordable than you might imagine. As long as you provide your ducks with their basic needs like shelter, food, drinking water and a safe space to protect them from predators, they will be happy in their new home. As these innovative plans show how to build a diy duck house with very little money and some can be made with a little time and a few basic DIY skills.

1- Small Duck House

Follow this detailed tutorial for building a small duck house by yellowcottagehomestead that is suitable for use in a suburban backyard.

This duck house is attractive, sturdy, secure and will provide secure shelter, and nesting area for 2-4 ducks. The water system, laying boxes, and manure catchment make this DIY duck house easy to maintain also.

If you have a small flock with no plans for expansion, we recommend this small duck house to be an ideal for your ducks. It will also be quick and easy for you to build in just one day.

Duck House Plans, we love its verstylity, durability and security features, image via: yellowcottagehomestead

2- Lean-To Duck House

Next we have a design that features a large front entryway for the ducks and separate nesting box with a lid so you can access the duck eggs easily. You won’t even have to go inside the duck house by myoutdoorplans to gather the eggs.

Ducks are notorious for not using nesting boxes but if the boxes are placed on the floor of the fowl house there is a chance that eggs might be laid in them.

Get these free lean-to design duck house plans that will take you through the building process step by step. A supply list is also included so you won’t forget a thing while gathering building materials.

Lean-To Duck House Plan, image via: myoutdoorplans

3- Recycled Material Duck House

Use these free plans to learn how to build a duck house by thefrugalchicken that won’t cost you anything. Using recycled materials is a way to provide your ducks with a safe house while putting usable materials to work.

Recycling gives old things new life and keeps usable items out of the landfill, so it’s a win for ducks, for you, and the environment.

Ducks and other homestead animals are messy so there’s no point in spending a lot of money on new building materials if you don’t have too. A coat of paint can always make recycled lumber look new and give the duck house a cute appearance.

Recycled Material Duck House, image via: thefrugalchicken

4- Small Space Duck House

This DIY project creates a duck house that is custom-built to fit into a small backyard space. This YouTube tutorial will show you how to take an awkward, unusable backyard space and transform it into a perfect space for a duck house.

These duck house plans on youtube show you how to build a small structure that will fit perfectly into any odd corner that your landscape may have. All landscapes have certain challenges and this design will enable you to overcome a small space challenge and provide your duck flock with a safe and secure house.

5- A Wooden Pallet Duck House Plans

A wood duck house by thehomesteadingboards is always a sustainable option but this is more sustainable than most as it makes use of reclaimed wooden pallets. Also read pallet chicken coop plans.

A Wooden Pallet Duck House, image via: thehomesteadingboards

6- Simple Duck House Plans

Ducks are easy farm animals to build a house for because they don’t need anything fancy. They sleep on the ground, lay their eggs wherever they choose, and like a lot of moisture. The main reason for building them a place to live is for their safety, so a simple structure like this one we have will work just fine.

Use these free duck coop plans by thecapecoop to transform bits and pieces of leftover building materials into a safe and simple duck house for your flock of fowls. Exterior caulking can be applied to seal up gaps and cracks in the wood but since ducks like moisture, sealing up gaps is not essential.

Simple Duck House Plans, image via: thecapecoop

7- Large Duck House Plans

Remember, a small duck house is fine for one or two free-ranging birds but more ducks will need space. Ducks need more space than chickens so allow 4-6 square feet per bird in the duck house like this one by hipchickdigs and 10-25 square feet per bird in the run if they don’t range free.

Large Duck Pen Design, image via: hipchickdigs

8- Pallet Duck House Plans

Remember, when sourcing materials for your diy duck house by yellowbirchhobbyfarm that though reclaimed materials can be great, they may be impregnated with chemicals. Take care to provide a safe environment for your ducks.

Pallet Duck House Ideas, image via: yellowbirchhobbyfarm

9- Capacious Duck Duck House Plans

When creating your diy duck house by frankiemakes, consider the climate and conditions where you live. Will the ducks range free or spend a lot of time in their run in the winter? Design for your site.

Capacious Duck Pen Design, image via: frankiemakes

10- Chicken Or Duck House Made From An Old Packing Crate

Again, these chicken or duck house plans by poultrykeeper show that you do not have to spend a fortune to get a great home for your poultry.

Duck House Made From An Old Packing Crate, image via:

Duck House Made From An Old Packing Crat , image via: poultrykeeper

11- Duck House Plans With Nesting Area and Run

This is a very unique idea as compared to the ones we discussed above. The roof of this little diy duck house by tyrantfarms is planted with edible herbs and other plants, to create a green roof. This is a great example of how ducks and a duck shelter can become integral parts of your over-all garden design. You may also like to see green roof chicken coop plans.

A Duck Shelter With Nesting Area and Run , image via: tyrantfarms

12- A Frame Duck House Plans With Cedar Shingles

This charming little A-frame coop or duck shelter by diydiva is a picturesque home for your ducks. Cedar is a wood with great properties for use outside and will not decay or rot so is perfect for such uses. You may also like to check out DIY A- Frame Chicken Coop.

A Frame Duck House With Cedar Shingles, image via: diydiva

13- Pallet Duck House

Here is another great use for wooden pallets – build a freewood duck house by homegrown with them.

Three old wooden pallets are all you need to build a safe and secure house for your duck to live in. The pallets are the right size for use with these free duck house plans and that helps reduce the amount of time and effort needed for this DIY project. Wooden pallets can be obtained free or very cheap and this will keep the building costs down for this DIY project.

Recycling old wooden pallets also reduces the cost of the DIY project down to almost nothing. A little flooring and roofing material is all that you will need to complete this functional pallet duck house.

Pallet Duck House, image via: homegrown

14- A High Rise Home For Ducks/ Bird House

This house for your ducks by myoutdoorplans can be created using quality timber and a basic knowledge of DIY. You do not need to be an expert to make this home for wild ducks or other wild birds.

A High Rise Home For Ducks, image via: myoutdoorplans

15- Floating Duck House

A floating duck house by goodshomedesign is simple to construct and can become an attractive part of a backyard water feature.

Ducks and water go together so why not combine the duck house and a water feature? These free duck house plans we are going to show you will guide you through the building process and the results will be spectacular.

The pitched roof design makes this look a lot like a dog house, so it may surprise people to see the house floating and a duck coming out of the doorway. This duck house plan is one of our best designs.

This floating duck house can be accessorized and painted to create a unique focal point for your backyard water feature.

Duck House Floating On Water, image via: goodshomedesign

16- Octagon Duck House

This unique octagon shaped duck house by backyardchickens is constructed from recycled wooden pallets to help keep the building costs low. The attractive shape is ideal for building in a suburban setting and it will keep your ducks (and chickens) safe from predators.

The total cost for this DIY project is under $100 and it could be a lot less as compared to the ones we discussed earlier. if you have some roofing material on hand. Many places giveaway free wooden pallets that have a couple of broken boards and those broken boards are easy to replace and the smaller pieces can be used in another DIY project.

The octagon shape is attractive, easy to build, and will be inexpensive when recycling wooden pallets.

DIY Octagon Duck House Plan, image via: backyardchickens

17- Another Duck House Plan With Reclaimed Wood

Of all the duck house like this one by needlesandnailsblog the best are those that utilize scrap material. This idea also used wood pallet and other reclaimed wood to make a sturdy, safe house for ducks.

Another Wood Duck House With Reclaimed Wood, image via: needlesandnailsblog

18- Large Duck House Plans

These duck house plans by howtospecialist will provide you with an easy to follow tutorial for building a large duck house that can accommodate several ducks comfortably.

If you have a large flock or looking to expand your flock of fowls these plans may be just what you need. This sturdy structure will last for years and provide your flock with dry shelter and safety from predators.

The wood structure can be built in one day and leftover building materials can be used to reduce the construction expense.

Large Size Duck house plans, image via: howtospecialist.com

19- Recycled Duck House Plans

An unused cold frame and wooden workbench were recycled and given a new life as a small shelter for ducks. This idea may spark an idea for how you can recycle unused items into a functional and attractive house for your flock.

These free duck house plans by bepasgarden will inspire you and provide a detailed tutorial so you can take recycled parts from different items and create a cohesive-looking structure for your flock. This good-looking structure is great for use in a suburban backyard or anywhere else that an attractive fowl house is needed.

Recycled Duck House Plans, image via: bepasgarden

20- DIY Duck House with Deck and Pool

Ducks need shelter and water and these free duck house plans will show you how to build a house that ducks will never want to leave.

This duck house on youtube is a simple design with a pitched roof and two doors that open the backside up for easy coop cleaning. The front of the structure has a deck with a pool in the center and a ramp. Ducks can waddle in and out of the house, go for a swim, get their daily exercise, and stay warm with an interior heat lamp in this well-designed fowl house. A bottom drain in the pool makes changing the pool water quick and easy so the ducks will always have access to clean water.

The interior of the structure is heated and would be ideal for building in cold climates so chicks and adults will stay warm.

21- Ultimate Duck House

If your homestead is in an area that has a lot of wildlife you will need a predator-proof fowl house. These free duck house plans on youtube will show you how to build a safe house for your flock that is predator-proof.

This YouTube tutorial will guide you through the step by step building process that will prevent predators from gaining access to the inside of the duck house and killing the flock.

Attractive design anrge size will look good in the homestead landscape and provide plenty of space for a growing flock. Keep your flock safe so they will thrive and prd laovide plenty of eggs and meat for an off-grid homestead.

22- Cheap and Rustic Duck House Plans

Remember, when coming up with duck house plans like this one by homegrownorg that you should be open to materials you can garner for free – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Cheap and Rustic Duck House, image via: homegrownorg

23- Chicken Coop Duck House

In the last idea we will Learn how to convert an unused chicken coop into a whimsical duck house by modernfarmer with this free tutorial. Chicken coops are typically taller than what ducks need, so the roof can be lowered with the idea provided in this building plan. Also, ducks need a little more square footage on the inside than chickens need, plus ducks love water and will put a water feature to good use.

A large entry door and ramp will make it easy for waddling ducks to get in and out of this cute fowl house.

These detailed instructions will address all the different needs between chickens and ducks so converting a chicken coop into a duck house will be a success. Add a coat of colorful paint along with painted flowers and clouds will transform this functional design into a focal point in your backyard.

Chicken Coop Duck House, image via: modernfarmer

Benefits Of A Duck House

Safety For The Flock: A duck house will give the ducks a safe place to nest and sleep. When ducks feel safe from predators they will lay more eggs. The safety also helps ensure that more of the ducklings you are raising will survive to adulthood.
Customization: A duck house can be built to fit any size budget or flock.
Helps protect surrounding vegetation: Ducks can be very destructive on vegetation and a duck house with an enclosed run will help protect the plants you don’t want them to destroy.
Easy separation; Sometimes ducks need to be separated and a duck house will make separating them easier.

Drawbacks Of A Duck House

Ducks can fly: Unless the entire area – the duck house and run, are covered, ducks can fly over the fencing and escape. Their wings will need to be clipped frequently to prevent them from flying.
Must be small: A duck house will need to be moved occasionally to provide fresh grass for the ducks. The house must be small and lightweight so it’s easy to move.

Summing Up

Ducks have certain requirements to live just like other backyard animals such as a pond, a place to lay eggs and to stay safe from predators. Your ducks will keep happy and lay more eggs when they have a shelter to live. You can choose any of these duck house plans we discussed above that are suitable to your ducks and you find easy to build.

Based upon the frequently asked questions we have prepared a questionnaire below.

FAQ’s

Are duck houses expensive to build?

Not at all. You can use any type of building material you have on hand to construct a DIY shelter that will keep your flock protected from predators and the elements.

Are duck houses ugly?

You can build them with a very attractive design to beautify your property and increase its value.

Are ducks messy?

Yes, they are. Ducks are in the poultry family and are by nature messy. Providing them with their own house and run will keep the mess to a minimum.

References:

College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, “Duck Housing and Management”, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/animal-health-diagnostic-center/programs/duck-research-lab/housing-and-management

Department Of Primary Industries, Animals & livestock, “Duck housing design, layout and equipment”, https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/poultry-and-birds/species/duck-raising/housing-design

Making A Homemade Incubators-20+ Ideas For Hatching Eggs

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A homemade incubator is like your own mini hatchery, letting you hatch eggs whenever you need. Sometimes, hens don’t want to sit on their eggs, so having a homemade incubator can be a lifesaver. It’s something I learned firsthand when my hens weren’t broody, but I still wanted more chicks for my backyard farm.

With a homemade incubator, you can pick which eggs you want to hatch. This means you can choose the healthiest and strongest eggs from your best hens. I remember feeling proud when I could carefully select the eggs for my homemade incubator, knowing it would help keep my flock thriving and robust.

1- Open Styrofoam Homemade Egg Incubator

To create your own homemade incubator like the one from Backyard Duck, it’s surprisingly affordable, costing only $10. All you need to do is cut an opening in the top to ensure proper airflow. Using a 15-watt bulb and ensuring good ventilation, you can expect fertile eggs in just 10 days. I remember building a similar homemade incubator myself, following similar instructions, and being amazed at how well it worked for hatching chicken eggs right at home.

Open Styrofoam Homemade Egg Incubator, image via: Backyard Duck

1- Wooden Box Homemade Incubator

To create your own homemade egg incubator following the backyardchickens design, start by searching for a spacious wooden box in your home or garage. If you don’t have one, consider asking around or checking local garage sales. The basic requirements for the incubator are simple: you’ll need a socket, bulbs, and a thermometer. I’d suggest carefully reading through the detailed construction steps provided on backyardchickens to ensure you’re setting up everything correctly. This way, you’ll be all set to witness the joy of chicks hatching in your homemade incubator soon.

Wooden Box Homemade Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

2- Styrofoam Homemade Incubator

I’ve had experience with syrofoam homemade incubators, and they can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a broody mother hen to hatch your chicken eggs. The ones from instructables offer a great option, especially if you’re on a budget, as they can be made for just $30. You’ll need to gather some spare parts from around your home, but it’s worth the investment of time and effort. Based on what I’ve learned, I’d suggest carefully following the instructions provided by instructables to ensure you build the incubator correctly and efficiently. This way, you’ll have a reliable homemade solution ready to hatch your eggs in no time.

Styrofoam Homemade Incubator that cost you only 30$ to build, image via: instructables

3- Homemade Drawer Incubator

We like this DIY incubator plan by backyardchickens more than the others as it has an auto turning facility for 20 eggs that is an integral part of hatching eggs. Look for identical old drawers in your storage space or buy the recycled one from the market. You need to have 2 drawers attached so that required depth can be created.

Homemade Drawer Incubator with auto turning facility, we love the way how it is made, image via: backyardchickens

4- Styrofoam Broccoli Box Homemade Incubator

You can find it on any grocery store easily. With basic skills and simplest items you can create incubator for hatching eggs like this one by nanaglenmum with your convenience under safe conditions.

Styrofoam Broccoli Box Incubator, image via: nanaglenmum

6- Vanity Cabinet Homemade Incubator

I’ve personally found the homemade incubator from Backyard Chickens to be fantastic. It offers ample space, clear viewing windows, strong ventilation, and a sleek design. In my experience, it’s perfect for handling large batches of eggs, with the capacity to hold over 200 if needed. If you’re dealing with significant hatching demands, I highly recommend considering this option. With its features and capacity, it’s a reliable choice for successfully hatching a large number of eggs.

Vanity Cabinet Incubator, image via: Backyard Chickens

7- Inexpensive Homemade Incubators

Read good information on how different incubator plan like this one by raising-happy-chickens works and what their utility is. Not all the inexpensive plans would bring fruitful results to you; they might turn out to be a failure. Therefore, chose wisely before making the right choice so that you end up having lots of little fellows running around in your backyard. You need chick brooder when you have little chickens comes out from the incubators.

Inexpensive Homemade Incubators, image via: raising-happy-chickens

8- Styrofoam Cooler For Chickens

Understanding airflow and temperature is crucial for any successful homemade incubator project, like the one by stormthecastle. In my experience, proper bulb adjustment is key to success; otherwise, your eggs could be at risk. However, keep in mind that due to limited space, this plan may only accommodate 4 or 5 eggs at a time. If you’re fortunate, you might find a larger box at your local store to adapt the same plan. Embrace the creative process and solve your hatching needs affordably.

Styrofoam Cooler For Chickens, image via: stormthecastle

9- Styrofoam Box Homemade Incubator

This simple idea produces great results. This homemade egg incubator by instructables starts out with an ordinary Styrofoam food cooler. Follow these easy instructions that will show you how to add a few pieces of wood and some electronics and you will have a homemade incubator that will hatch eight eggs for you.

Styrofoam Box Incubator with an ordinary Styrofoam food cooler, image via: instructables

10- Cardboard Box Incubator

Sometimes, despite hens laying plenty of eggs, they won’t sit on them for hatching. I’ve faced this issue before. That’s where making an incubator from a cardboard box comes in handy; it takes care of hatching the eggs for you.

Using just a couple of boxes, a small watt light bulb, and a few other items, you can select and hatch eggs from your best laying hens. I’ve tried this method myself, and it’s surprisingly effective.

With almost zero investment, you can create an efficient incubator like the one by homegrownorg. I’ve found it to be a great way to have a steady supply of chicks for selling or raising. It’s a simple yet effective solution that anyone can try.

Cardboard Box Incubator, image via: homegrownorg

11- Large Egg Box

The homemade incubator by motherearthnews is a fantastic option for those in the chick-selling business. It’s something I’ve considered myself. This large egg box can handle multi-stage incubation for up to 150 eggs simultaneously. I’ve read that it can hatch 30 eggs every day, which is impressive.

This egg hatching incubator is designed to maintain a steady temperature, making it perfect for hatching chicken, duck, or guinea eggs. Based on my knowledge, it seems like a versatile and efficient solution for hatching eggs in larger quantities. If you’re in the business of selling chicks, this incubator could greatly streamline your operations and increase your output.

Cardboard Box Incubator, image via: motherearthnews

12- Wooden Egg Hatcher

This simple and effective design will enable you to incubate and hatch a few chicken eggs during the winter as a fun family project. Follow these detailed instructions and create a DIY incubator like this one by hobbyfarms with your kids, then let the kids monitor the progress of the eggs for a few weeks until they hatch. The incubator is small enough to remain in the house, but large enough to incubate 6-8 eggs.

Wooden Egg Hatcher, image via: hobbyfarms

13- Auto Turning Hatcher

Turning eggs during the incubation process is crucial for successful hatching, but it can be time-consuming. I’ve experienced this myself. This unique design by piwakawakavalley solves that problem by gently turning the eggs automatically. It’s something I wish I had when I was hatching eggs manually.

Chicken eggs require turning three times a day throughout their three-week incubation period. For those with busy schedules, this can be quite challenging. With this auto-turning hatcher idea, you can free up valuable time while still ensuring successful hatching. Based on my knowledge, this innovation offers a convenient solution for busy poultry enthusiasts. If you’re looking to streamline your hatching process and reduce the time commitment, I highly recommend giving this idea a try.

Auto Turning DIY Incubator, image via: piwakawakavalley

14- Solar Powered Homemade Incubator

Using a solar-powered egg hatching machine like the one from instructables is a game-changer, especially for off-grid living. It’s a concept I’ve found intriguing. This innovative incubator keeps eggs at the ideal temperature range of 99 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit without relying on electricity. It’s fascinating how it utilizes renewable energy to power the incubation process.

With this solar-powered incubator, you can keep costs low while maintaining high production and profits. It’s a win-win situation that I’ve seen firsthand. By reducing reliance on electricity and utilizing solar power, you not only save money but also contribute to sustainability efforts. If you’re looking to invest in an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for hatching eggs, this solar-powered incubator is definitely worth considering.

Solar Powered Incubator, image via: instructables

15- Cooler Homemade Incubator

In this idea we will learn how to transform a large, ordinary, insulated cooler into a functioning homemade egg hatcher such as this one by backyardchickens. This easy to build incubator can hold and incubate several dozen eggs at a time so you can always have chicks on hand for raising or selling.

The inside rack make egg turning quick and easy. The insulated cooler helps maintain just the right internal temperature from top to bottom.

Cooler Homemade Incubator, we just love this unique design, image via: backyardchickens

16- Freezer Homemade Incubator

Transform an old, non-working freezer into a highly efficient homemade incubator by backyardchickens with these detailed instructions. Safely and effectively incubate and hatch close to 100 eggs every few weeks with this idea. The freezer insulation will help maintain a constant interior temperature for the eggs.

If you have access to a non-working freezer, this DIY build could be almost free. All the little chicks it will enable you to hatch will be profit to you.

Freezer Incubator made using non-working freezer, image via: backyardchickens

17- 300 Eggs

If you need a large supply of chicks on hand at all times, we highly suggest you to make this homemade incubator by backyardchickens if need to hatch large number of eggs. will meet that need. It’s a wood cabinet design that is 4 feet tall will hold 300 eggs, has automatic timer, thermostat control, circulation fan and auto rotating for the shelves.

The clear glass front allows you to see the multiple shelves holding the eggs and monitor the interior heat and humidity. Great for placement in an unheated garage or barn.

Egg hatcher with capacity of 300 eggs, image via: backyardchickens

18- Hatch-O-Bator Homemade Incubator

Use recycled parts to create this efficient Hatch-O-Bator that will get the job done with a minimal investment. Very little time and money will go into this DIY building project by backyardchickens yet you will reap big profits with all the chicks you will be able to hatch and sell.

The main building components are a few pieces of leftover plywood, a water heater thermostat and a couple of 15 watt light bulbs. Cheap to build and cheap to maintain.

Hatch-O-Bator Homemade Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

19- Wine Cooler Homemade Incubator

An old refrigerated wine cooler repurposed into an egg hatcher by backyardchickens is a brilliant recycled project. It’s something I’ve considered trying myself. This innovative idea allows you to create an efficient egg hatcher at little to no cost. The versatility of being able to set it up both outside or inside your home is a plus.

The glass front of the wine cooler makes it easy to view the eggs without opening the door, which helps maintain consistent heat levels. I’ve found this feature to be particularly useful for monitoring the hatching process without causing temperature fluctuations.

If you’re interested in trying this DIY project, I’d suggest thoroughly cleaning the wine cooler and removing all the inside and electrical components first. Then, customize your egg racks to fit snugly inside the cooler box. Adding a light, fan, thermometer, and fertile eggs will complete the setup. It’s a simple yet effective way to repurpose old materials into something useful for hatching chicks.

Wine Cooler Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

20- Homemade Incubator

Follow these free instructions to build your own homemade incubator by backyardchickens that will hatch dozens of eggs at once. The double door design will allow you to do maintenance work in the heat chamber without losing heat in the incubator.

A printed diagram plus pictorial instructions make this DIY build simple for even beginners. If you want to hatch large quantities of chicks at once, then this egg hatcher will enable you to do so with minimal effort and expense.

Large Size Double Door Design DIY Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

21- Cabinet Style Homemade Incubator

Making an incubator like the one by rockridgefarms can be a fun project that also adds style to your home. It’s something I’ve found appealing myself. The great thing about this design is its versatility; you can hatch as many eggs as you want by adjusting the number of shelves you install. Plus, its fancy appeal allows you to place it anywhere, even in your dining hall.

Everything you need to make this incubator is readily available either at home or at a local store. This convenience makes it an accessible project for anyone interested in hatching eggs at home. The cherry finish adds a touch of elegance, making it a lively addition to any home setting.

If you’re considering building your own homemade incubator, I’d suggest giving this design a try, especially if you value both functionality and aesthetics. With its stylish appearance and practical features, it’s sure to be a conversation starter in your home.

Cabinet Style Incubator, we love the way how it is made, image via: rockridgefarms

22- Wooden Board DIY Incubator

Creating a two-level DIY incubator with eggs and water on the lower end and a fan and bulb on the upper end is a clever design. It’s something I’ve seen before, and it’s efficient. To build the outer structure, using water-resistant wooden slabs joined together is a practical choice. I’ve found that this not only provides durability but also helps maintain the desired shape of the incubator, ensuring optimal functionality.

This setup allows for effective temperature control and airflow, crucial for successful egg incubation. I’ve learned that having separate levels for eggs and water helps regulate humidity levels more precisely. With the fan and bulb positioned at the upper end, heat distribution is more even, promoting uniform incubation.

For those considering building their own homemade incubator, I’d suggest following a detailed guide or plan to ensure the construction process goes smoothly. It’s essential to pay attention to details like sealing gaps and ensuring proper insulation to prevent temperature fluctuations. By investing time and effort into building a well-designed homemade incubator, you can increase your chances of successfully hatching eggs.

Conclusion

A homemade incubator has many benefits such as cost, custom design unlike market ones that are expensive. Making your own incubators also helps you to keep your flock size larger as broody hens are not always ready to go for brooding or less motherhood habits.

You can select any of these incubators we have shown you above that best match your needs. Hope this article has guided you well in making your own incubator.

References:

Researchgate, June 2021, International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering 24(4), “Design and implementation of chicken egg incubator for hatching using IoT”, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352777744_Design_and_implementation_of_chicken_egg_incubator_for_hatching_using_IoT

Extention University of Missouri, Revised February 2003 “Small Flock Series: Incubation of Poultry”, https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g8353

SSRN, 18 Mar 2021, “Development and Construction of Poultry Egg Incubator Temperature and Humidity Controller (Peitch) With SMS Notification”, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3779301

Top 20 Black And White Chicken Breeds For Backyard

Pure Black Chicken Breeds

Australorp

The first one we are going to discuss is Australorp Originating in Australia. Australorps have black feathers that have a green and purple sheen to them. This breed is prized for both egg production and meat. Hens produce around 250 light brown egg per year. They will go broody a couple times each year. Living to around 8-10 years of age, one Australorp hen can provide you with 2,500 eggs in her life time. This breed holds the record for most eggs produced in one year. The record holding hen laid 364 eggs in one year.

Adults weigh between 7-8 pounds and will adapt to living in either confined spaces or free range. Australorps are shy until they get to know their owner, then they will happily follow their owner around like a puppy.

Australorp Chicken Breeds, produce around 250 light brown egg per year, live around 8 to 10 years

Ayam Cemani

Native to Indonesia, the Ayam Cemani chicken is the blackest of all breeds. A genetic condition of hyperpigmentation causes this breed to have black feathers, skin, beaks, claws, and meat. Even the blood from this chicken is almost black. The perfect black ones have a very high value in Indonesia, because it is believed that they possess mystical powers.

The eggs of the Ayam Cemani are white, however, they are not big egg producers and will have times when they stop laying eggs. Expect about 80 eggs per year from this black chicken breed.

Adult hens are small and weigh about 4-6 pounds. They have long, featherless legs and sharp spurs.

Originated in Indonesia,weigh about 4-6 pounds, lay 80 eggs per year

Black Shuman

Black Shumans originated in Bulgaria and are rare chicken breed, with only 350 accounted for worldwide. The deep black feathers have a green sheen and the head is topped off with a very prominent red comb. The meat of this chicken is white.

Adult Black Shumens will weigh between 3-4 pounds. Hens are good layers and will produce around 150 large white eggs per year. They rarely go broody.

Hens mature early and begin laying large, grayish eggs at the rate of 170 per year. Black Shumans weigh between 4-6 pounds when mature.

Black Shuman Chicken originated in Bulgaria,weigh between 3-4 pounds, lay 170 eggs per year.

4. Kadaknath

Here we have another black chicken breed that has black feathers, black comb, black eyes, black meat and even black bones. The appearance of the cooked meat from this black meat chicken might take some getting used too, but the nutritional value exceeds all other white meat chicken breeds.

This solid black chicken is highly prized for its nutritious meat. High in protein and low in fat and cholesterol, this black meat chicken is raised in backyards primarily for meat production.

Adult Kadaknath chicken will weigh 4-6 pounds. Hens will lay around 100 white eggs per year. They are poor setters and rarely hatch their own eggs.

Kadaknath Chicken Breed, weigh 4-6 pounds, 100 white eggs per year.

5. Minorca

Originating in Spain, the Minorca is a large chicken breed typically raised as an ornamental breed. However, they are good eggs producers. Minorca hens will lay around 120 large, white eggs per year. The hens start laying eggs at 26 weeks and rarely get broody. Some strains of the Minorca will produce more eggs, up to 230 per year.

Minorcas are a hardy breed that will adapt well to any climate, soil condition and to confinement.

Graceful and energetic, Minorcas are a great addition to a backyard farm for both appearance and egg production, Also known as Red Faced Black Chickens, they have light red faces and the comb of the hens fall forward.

Minorca Chicken Breed Originating in Spain, lay around 120 large eggs per year

Orpington

Originating in England in the 1800s, this black chicken breed has short, fluffy feathers that make the chickens look much large than they really are. The thick, soft, puffy layer of feathers allows this chicken breed to stay warm in cold climates. Underneath the black feathers is a layer of white skin.

Bred for both meat and eggs, Orpingtons lay around 150 large brown eggs per year. Adults weight between 8-10 pounds. Orpingtons do come in other colors, but black is the most striking.

Orpington Chicken Breed, Originating in England, 150 large brown eggs per year,weight between 8-10 pounds

Silkies

This black chicken breed is soft and fluffy, with a gentle nature that makes them excellent pets. Chatty and sweet, Silkies are an excellent pet choice for children or for first time breeders.

Silkies have some very unique characteristics: they are not water proof like other chicken breeds; they have black faces and black skin; they have five toes instead of the usual four and their meat is a dark gray-blue color.

Silkies will lay around 100 white eggs per year and try to hatch every one of them. They are not good layers, but they are excellent mothers and will set on any clutch of eggs and ‘mother’ any little chicks in the chicken coop. You may also like to check out heritage chicken breeds.

weight between 8-10 pounds,lay around 100 white eggs per year. We love this chicken breed.

Sumatra

Originating in Sumatra, this black chicken breed is known for its long flowing tail and fighting capability. This breed was once used only for fighting, but is now bred as a show chicken. While the breed has lost much of its fighting capability, it has retained its flying ability and a tall fence will be needed to keep this chicken breed in your backyard.

Sumatra chicken will weigh 3-4 pounds when mature. Hens lay around 100 small white eggs per year.

Sumatras are flighty and skiddish, not a good choice for pets or eggs. The long flowing tail feathers which touch the ground make them best raised as show chickens.

Sumatra Chickens, Originating in Sumatra, lay around 100 small white eggs per year. weigh 3-4 pounds. This is is of our most favorite chicken breed, we love their long tail.

Swedish Black

This chicken is cross between the Ayam Cemani and local Swedish chickens. It has all the same black pigmentation, including a black tongue, but it’s smaller than the Ayam Cemani. Adult hens will weigh between 5-7 pounds.

These chickens have a calm nature and are good laying hens. Swedish Black hens will produce about 150 cream colored eggs per year.

Swedish Black Chickens, weigh between 5-7 pounds, 150 cream colored eggs per year.

Valdarno

Originating in Italy in the early 1900s, this breed has deep black feathers that have a green sheen. Large bright red comb makes this breed highly noticeable among a flock of hens.

Hardy breed known for its high quality meat and egg production. Adults weigh between 4-5 pounds and hens will produce around 200 white eggs per year when they are five months old.

Valdarnos are strong, rustic chickens that were bred for life outdoors. Ideal breed for large, open backyards where chickens can forage on the free range.

Valdarno Chickens, weigh between 4-5 pounds, lay 200 white eggs per year

Black and White Chicken Breeds

Ancona

An attractive black and white chicken breed that has solid black feathers with white tips. Every fifth feather has a white tip which gives this breed a speckled appearance.

Originating in Italy, Anconas are very popular in the United States and England.

This hardy breed is an excellent egg producer, laying over 200 eggs per year even in cooler winter temperatures. Hens rarely go broody, are excellent foragers and can fly well also.

Ancona Chicken Breed,Originating in Italy, laying over 200 eggs per year

Black Cochin

Black feathered body with white head, the Black Cochin originated in China and is noted for its massive appearance. The fluffy underlayer of feathers make this black and white chicken breed look much bigger than it really is.

This breed is hardy and handles cold weather well. Calm and friendly nature, great for children’s pet.

Hens will produce around 200 eggs per year, continuing to lay even during winter. They will go broody a few times per year.

Black Cochin Chicken, lay 200 eggs per year

Barred Rock

Attractive black and white chicken that appears to have stripes. Originating in Massachusetts, the Barred Rock is a sweet, friendly highly productive egg layer that will produce around. This breed is a dual purpose breed, raised for both eggs and meat.

Calm and friendly nature, this hardy bird will adapt to 300 eggs per year most any situation. Cold hardy and ideal for raising in areas that have harsh winter weather.

Barred Rock Chicken Breed, Originating in Massachusetts, lay 300 eggs per year

White Crested Black Polish

Attractive show chickens, the White Crested Black Polish is an ornamental breed that originated in Poland.

This breed is gentle and meek, making it ideal for a pet. The attractive white crest on top of its head looks more like hair than feathers, but the crest also impairs its vision.

This unique chicken breed is not known for its egg production, although one hen will provide you with 200 eggs per year. For its safety and happiness, keep White Crested Black Polish chickens in a confined space. Keep this bird dry at all times, especially in winter, to prevent head feathers from freezing.

White Crested Black Polish originated in Poland, lay 200 eggs per year we love white crest on top of their head

Wyandotte

Originating in Wisconsin in the 1800s, the black and white Golden Wyandotte has black lace feathers and black tail, topped off with red comb, ear lobes and wattle.

This breed is calm and docile, excellent for backyard chicken breeding. Hens will lay around 120 brown eggs per year and will occasionally go broody. Golden Wyandottes are happy raised in confinement or free range.

Wyandotte Chicken Breed, lay around 120 brown eggs per year

White Chicken Breeds

White Leghorns

Originally from Italy, White Leghorns are a backyard must-have for egg production. This breed will begin laying eggs at 16 weeks old and provide you with almost 300 eggs per year.

The breed is nervous and flighty, but adapts to a life confined to a fenced area. Adults will weight between 5-7 pounds.

White Leghorns Chicken, lay 300 eggs per year,weight between 5-7 pounds

Chantecler

Originating in Canada in the 1900s, a monk named Wilfrid Châtelain, developed a practical chicken that would be suited to Canada’s climate, and be an excellent dual-purpose bird. A few years later, the Chantecler white chicken breed was born.

Large white chicken that will produce 200 eggs per year and has tasty meat. Calm and tame nature, but dislikes confinement. You will need a large roaming space to keep this bird happy.

Chantecler Chicken Originating in Canada, lay 200 eggs per year

Sultans

Native to Turkey, but arrived in England in the mid 1800s. This is a unique looking white chicken breed, with feathered shanks, a V-shaped comb, five toes and large nostrils.

They have a happy disposition, and despite their small size they lay large white eggs. Egg production is minimal, typically one egg per week. Sultans are also good meat birds.

Sultans prefer hot weather and confinement. They don’t fare well in cold climates or as free range birds.

White Sultans Chickens, 50+ small white eggs a year

Bresse

Native to France and must be raised within the historic region of Bresse, France. This white chicken breed is declared to be the best tasting chicken in the world.

The raising and selling of this chicken breed is strictly controlled by the French government so the high quality can be maintained.

The Bresse is the same color as the French flag – white body, red comb and blue legs. Very attractive, and very costly chicken, with a price tag of over $20 per pound. Birds are raised as free range and legs are banded to denote authenticity.

White Bresse Chicken Breed

Delaware

The last one in our list is a young American chicken breed that has only been around since the mid 1900s. A cross between New Hampshire Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks was made to develop a chicken breed that would be an excellent egg layer and be good for the table.

This relatively new breed is calm, friendly and large, weighing up to 8 pounds when mature. This breed starts laying eggs when only a few weeks old. Eggs will be large and brown.

Delaware chickens enjoy colder climates and do not like hot, tropical climates. Adjusts well to life in confined spaces.

Delaware Chicken Breed, a cross breed between New Hampshire Reds and Barred Plymouth Rocks, weighing up to 8 pounds

Ending Note

We all know that chicken breeds have different colors but some breeds are purely white or black in their appearance. Apart from this there are certain breeds that have black meat also but these are very rare. You can raise them if you find their meat delicious.

Free Chicken Coop Plan for Raising Backyard Chickens

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Keeping a flock of chicken or raising backyard chicken is getting more and more famous. This increase in the popularity of farming can be linked to various reasons. At the same time there are numerous chicken coop ideas that will come in handy. Now if you have some chickens, then surely you need to have an easy to build chicken coop also. Furthermore, you need not worry about the cost for building these coops, as below are some simple to employ tips and plans that will surely help you. All you need to do is to follow the guidelines in order to build your own backyard chicken coop. Here are the basic chicken coop requirements.

Details to Ponder

Before you start making a chicken coop, there are several things that need your overt and covert attention. Firstly, you must know about the place where you would be keeping the coop. Secondly, you also need to consider the number of chickens you wish to accommodate in the area. Lastly, it is imperative and crucial that you have an idea about the materials that would be required for completing the job. When it comes to the welfare of animals, then being knowledgeable about the needs of the animals is going to guarantee a solid start for you.

The Coop

The prime purpose for the coop is to offer some shelter and protection to your chicken. The coop should be placed in a manner where the chickens might remain safe from the deliberate attacks of the chicken predators which happen to be quite large in numbers. You also need to be specific about the area where you would be leaving them for roaming here and there. It is because the 24 hour sense of confinement can result in a number of irrational and aggressive behaviors from the side of the chickens.

Size of the Chicken Coop

Each coop should be constructed with the minimal capacity of accommodating 4 to 8 chickens with nearly three nests. The most dominant and common mistake in building a chicken coop is making it too small. So, in lines to this need, you need to make sure that each bird is able to get nearly 4 square feet. For keeping nearly 4 birds in a coop, the structure should extend to 4′ x 4′.

Other Important Considerations

For making your coop feasible and function, here are the things you need to ensure:

1) Proper Space for Storage

2) Chicken Entranceway

3) Sufficient Ventilation

4) Enough Lighting

5) Inward Opening Door that should be able to provide easy access at times of cleaning and egg collection

Types of Chicken Coops

Chicken tractor coops together with the stationary chicken houses are being widely used these days. The tractor mobile coops are designed to provide a complete housing to your chicken. Moreover, some of the people also prefer to have these mobile coops in their lawns for a number of varying reasons. On the other hand, some people prefer the use of the stationary houses in lines to the protection and the resistance to weather these homes offer.

Pros of the Chicken Coop Design

1) The construction process demands little skills and expertise. Almost anyone can do the job in an effective manner.

2) The design should be sturdy and durable, as it offers a complete and round the clock protection against the predators.

3) The design should offer an efficient resistance to the changes in weather that might occur from time to time.

4) Ease of assembling and reassembling is also crucial in choosing a design. In other words, you should be able to take the structure apart and then merge it with ease at any time you want.

Cons of the Design

1) It can be quite heavy.

2) You would be required to free range the chickens or to modulate a separate for them without which the hens might not turn out to be strong.

3) The structure is stationary due to which you need to be precise about its placing and movement.

The coop should be designed with the windows on the southern side. Moreover, the windows you make should also ensure proper ventilation for the birds. The reason for which the windows are required in the south direction is to allow the cool wind flows to enter the coop at times of the summer season. On the other hand, for the winter season, it is best to make use of the slider windows. Lastly, you should also make sure that there is a fencing area around the coop. For this reason, you can make use of barbed wire or any other evasive material for the predators. Not to forget that some predators are capable of digging from under the ground due to which you need to use some hard and impregnable materials for the floor.

Chicken Coop Materials

Plywood for the Walls and Floor-3 – 4 X 8 X ¾

For the roof-1 – 4 X 8 X ½

2 – 4″ hinges-For the door

1 – 24″ X 24″-for the wiring cloth and cover window

Latches-2 – 4″

Door handle of about 1 – 4″

1-roll of paper for the roofing

3 – 8′-in terms of metal flashing for the roofs and the various edges

12 – 4″-nails for linking the walls to the floor

With all these maneuvers and tactics in mind, you can make your own free chicken coop.

43 Chicken Tractor Plans-Building A Coop For Your Precious Birds

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You have already learned everything you need to know about building a chicken coop, but it never hurts to look into chicken tractor plans. A chicken tractor is a portable version of a chicken coop. Your mobile chicken coop features all the amenities of a regular coop to keep your birds safe and comfortable.

There are several reasons or benefits why you should look into the different chicken tractor plans. Moving chicken coop from one place to another allows chickens to eat fresh grass, weeds, keeping your garden pests free or you may be looking to rearrange your yard or maintain the ground under the coop. If you’re interested in building a chicken coop that’s easy to move, here we have collected 43 free chicken coop plans to consider for your project.

1- Chicken Tractor Coop Design Made With Scrap Lumber

Here are brief steps to build this chicken tractor coop.

Take some parts of the lumber and make a basic coop structure.
Use luan for the inner side, while outer side needs to be fixed with proper old cabinet doors.
Take plywood for the run and coat it with any color you want.
Attach cabinet door to the run so that the chickens can move anytime. See the step by step guide at Backyard Chickens

Chicken Tractor Plans, image via: backyardchickens

2- Surprisingwoman’s Chicken Tractor Plans

Truly this is one of the simplest chicken tractor coop plan by backyardchickens we found on the internet because it requires you to find some old cabinets at home. The smaller cabinet’s can be used as nesting boxes, while others can be the main living room. Make sure, while cutting you leave a good space for ventilation.

For this chicken tractor plan, use metal legs, while you need to form netting edges all over so that predators can be kept away. Attach the ramp to the nesting area and open it in the netted space so that the chickens are free to move. Use any parts of the old luggage bags or the lawn mower to make the wheels. Take help from some expert or anyone who knows how to assemble the various parts together.

Surprisingwoman’s Chicken Tractor coop, image via: backyardchickens

3- Hoop Chicken Tractor Plans

Find chicken tractor plans by fresheggsdaily for a hoop coop. It’s made of boards, PVC arches, welded wire and wood screws. You’re also going to build a wooden door that’s big enough for you to walk through. You can cover the back end with tarp to protect your chickens and create a cute wagon-style tractor. You may also like to check out a frame chicken coop plans for keeping small flock of chickens.

We love this Chicken Tractor Plans made using PVC arches, image via: fresheggsdaily

4- Kerr Center Chicken Tractor Plans

This movable chicken coop by kerrcenter is modeled after the Kerr Center Chicken Tractor. It’s made of lumber, plywood, corrugated roofing, shade cloth and other materials. Now, this chicken tractor is too heavy to move on your own, which is why the instructions also call for a ball hitch, cable and eye bolts. You’re going to use these materials to pull the tractor with an off-road utility vehicle.

Kerr Center Chicken Tractor, image via: kerrcenter

5- From Scrap To Chicken Tractor

You would need:

Lumber pieces
Wire fencing
Door
Fence staples

Here are step by step instructions to build this chicken tractor coop.

Use wood to make the base, and the top first.
Add wood inside the structure to provide it enough support.
Attach the door on any side you feel feasible.
Cover the entire area with wiring sheets.
You are done for the time being, enjoy the simplest kind of mobile coop design by backyardchickens.

From Scrap To Chicken Tractor, image via: backyardchickens

6- Palace Chicken Tractor Plans

Build an adorable portable chicken coop with these plans by backyardchickens we are sharing with you. This chicken palace is complete with a ramp, roosts, nesting boxes, feeders, water dispensers and doors. It also features double-pane screened windows for ventilation and protection. You can decorate the palace with a warm color scheme, flowers under the windows and a cute wooden sign.

Palace Chicken Tractor, image via: backyardchickens

7- Lightweight Chicken Tractor Plans

You don’t want a chicken tractor that’s too heavy to move on your own. With these plans, you’re building a lightweight tractor by backyardchickens out of materials such as lumber, plywood, PVC conduit and wide mesh. The materials are durable but easy to lift when you need to move the coop. This is a hoop coop with a roosting and nesting area, as well as access to the eggs.

Lightweight Chicken Tractor, image via: backyardchickens

8- Simple Chicken Tractor Plans

Use these plans to build a mobile chicken coop by thefrugalchicken that’s simple but effective. You can use pallet wood, plywood, boards, hardware cloth and corrugated sheet metal. Another idea is to cover it with tarp during the winter. The tractor is durable and comfortable, but easy to move when necessary. You may also like to check out pallet chicken coop plans.

Simple Chicken Tractor, image via: thefrugalchicken

9- PVC Chicken Tractor Plans

In this mobile chicken coop plan by grit we are going to learn how to build a light-weight chicken tractor out of PVC pipe and plastic netting.

Keep your chickens feeding on fresh grass and bugs by building a DIY chicken tractor that enables you to move your chicken flock as needed. Free-range chickens are healthy and cost less to maintain and a mobile chicken tractor like this one is easy to build.

Add a tarp to one end of the chicken tractor to provide shade for your precious birds during sunny summer days.

PVC Chicken Tractor, image via: grit

10- Movable Poultry Pen

Looking for a chicken pen plan? You can find a various chicken coop plans PDF online, which can teach you, in detail regarding the making of coop at home.

Here is chicken tractor coop plan in pdf by pvcplans

Movable Poultry Pen, image via: pvcplans

11- Basic Chicken Tractor Plans

If you’re looking for something more basic, you may enjoy these chicken tractor plans by hobbyfarms. It doesn’t include a nesting box or roosts because it’s mainly for free-range chickens. However, it does include a door with a latch, covered area for shade and handles near the bottom. It’s also secure with a wooden frame and hardware cloth. The tractor is light enough to transport with an ATV, lawn tractor or by hand.

chicken tractor plans, image via: hobbyfarms

12- Fancy Chicken Tractor With Wheels

You might be an artistic person, and thinking of having an attractive chicken coop. However, your basic structure and idea would remain the same. You can add as many accessories or colors you want, and even may with the cuttings to make it more desirable.This plan has chicken coop drawing and construction detail at braingarage.

Fancy Chicken Tractor With Wheels, image via: braingarage

13- Cheerful Mobile Chicken Coop

Without any question, lumber is the best material that can be used to form the foundation of the coop. The idea here is to have access to nesting boxes like this one by backyardchickens from outside, so you can add doors (window nest boxes). Simply attach the lumber structure to old cart tires or even bike tires, and paint it with some happening colors. With the entrance door, you can add the rap so that the chickens can easily manage to move in and out.

Cheerful Mobile Chicken Coop, image via: backyardchickens

14- Garden House Coop Plan

You can be as creative as you want to when it is about designing or making a chicken coop by backyardchickens All you need is time and patience – do not worry about the material because they cost something less than $100. Use tin roofing, following that you can have a base structure with door and windows. Attach a surface so that it looks like a house porch. Support the entire structure with big tires, and paint it with beautiful colors. Add some pictures and flowers to make it breathtaking.

Garden house coop plan, image via: backyardchickens

15- A-frame Coop Style

As the name suggests, this kind of coop design by au.lifestyle.yahoo.com would not be easily made at home, as the structure requires many technical details. Forming A-frame one over and another is not simple, yet nothing is impossible as well.

A-frame Coop Style, image via: au.lifestyle.yahoo.com

16- PVC Chicken Tractor Coop Plans

Looking for a super easy and attractive coop design? Here is a PVC pipe chicken tractor that can easily be adjusted in the smaller gardens and yards. You can use the same plan to make bigger ones as well.

Simple PVC coop design

17- DIY Chicken Tractor

If you love a good hands-on project, you can build your own portable chicken coop from scratch such as this one by backyardpoultry we are discussing about. You’re going to use boards, panels, chicken wire and other materials to build your tractor. Decorate the tractor by painting it or adding a vintage sign and flowers under the windows.

Portable chicken coop from scratch, it is one of best chicken run plans that we love. We highly recommend you to try building this tractor chicken coop, image via: backyardpoultry

18- Large Chicken Tractor Plans

This chicken tractor plan by instructables that we are going to discuss is big enough to hold about 14 chickens, so you don’t have to worry about not having enough space for your birds. The supplies include boards, exterior plywood and hardware cloth. The tractor features a nesting box, watering system and drop-down door. It also features a secure chicken run area underneath.

Large Chicken Tractor, image via: instructables

19- Mesh Chicken Tractor Plans

For this project, you’re building a chicken coop by simplesavings out of plastic mesh and a PVC polypipe frame. This way, your chickens are safe from predators, but they also have enough ventilation. It features roosts, nesting boxes and doors, and you’re going to cover one end for shade and security.

Mesh Chicken Tractor, image via: simplesavings

20- Larger Chicken Tractor

You can find free chicken coop plans by grit to build a tractor that’s large but light enough to carry. Another option is to add recycled wheels to the bottom for easier movement. The materials include boards, poultry wire and galvanized conduit. You can also cover the tractor with tarp for weather protection.

Larger Chicken Tractor, image via: grit

21- ChickShaw Chicken Tractor Plans

This portable chicken coop by abundantpermaculture is known as a ChickShaw Chicken Tractor, and it’s based off the rickshaw design. It’s made of materials such as boards, wire mesh, electric poultry net and PVC roof panel. The features include a handle for pulling, wheels, nesting boxes, perches and a built-in ramp on the door.

ChickShaw Chicken Tractor, image via: abundantpermaculture

22- Old Pallet Chicken Tractor

You can save money by using old pallets to build your chicken tractor by instructables. The materials also include chicken wire and 1.25-inch staples, as well as tarp to protect your chickens. You can build a lightweight tractor to carry with a peer, but wheels make it easier to move the tractor on your own.

Old Pallet Chicken Tractor, image via: instructables

23- Brooder Chicken Tractor Plans

You can build this movable chicken coop by backyardchickens out of recycled items such as a large shipping crate, doggie door and wheels from a wheelbarrow. It also needs boards and chicken wire for protection. In addition to the usual amenities, there should be enough room for comfort and a hanging lamp. You may also like to check out recycled chicken coop plans.

Brooder Chicken Tractor, image via: backyardchickens

24- Homemade Chicken Tractor

This homemade chicken tractor by weedemandreap is made of boards and thick gauge wire, and it features a handle and wheels for easy movement. The door makes it easy to access your chickens, and the plywood cover protects them from the weather.

Homemade Chicken Tractor, image via: weedemandreap

25- Chook Dome Chicken Tractor Plans

If you’re looking for unique chicken tractor plans by milkwood look no further than this dome-shaped coop. You’re going to build this chook dome out of pipes and chicken wire for durability. Now, this tractor uses a geodesic design of long, curved struts in a crisscross pattern for easy carrying.

Chook Dome Chicken Tractor, image via: milkwood

26- Master Chicken Tractor Coop

If you are thinking about how to build a chicken tractor such as this one by backyardchickens that is inexpensive you can simply get away with this great chicken coop within $150 – you need grade plywood for exterior, and hardware cloth. You need lots of screws and some patience to fix all the pieces together, and install feeders and water systems.

chicken coop by plywood under 150$, image via: backyardchickens

27- Wooden Chicken Tractor Plans

These free chicken tractor plans by myoutdoorplans combine a portable chicken coop and a chicken run so there is always a fresh supply of organic food under the chicken’s feet.

Wherever this chicken tractor is parked will home for your precious birds. Feed and shelter the chickens for free with this easy to construct wooden chicken tractor.

Wooden Chicken Tractor Plans, image via: myoutdoorplans

28- A-Frame Chicken Tractor

Cute design that will add character to your landscape while providing your chickens with fresh food.

This A-frame design has nesting boxes in each end so your feathered girls can lay eggs anytime they want too, plus the chicken wire enclosure keeps predators out of the chicken tractor. This is an easy build with detailed plans that show you how to build a chicken tractor like this one by instructables using leftover lumber and paint.

A-Frame Chicken Tractor, image via: instructables

29- Enclosed A-Frame Chicken Tractor

This enclosed A-frame chicken tractor provides plenty of room for your precious birds to live comfortably all the time. The nesting boxes are easy to access for egg gathering and cleaning, and the bottom is predator proof and provides plenty of ground space for the chickens to feed.

These free plans show you how to build a chicken coop on wheels by backyardchickens that is easy to move and will keep your flock safe.

Enclosed A-Frame Chicken Tractor, image via: backyardchickens

30- Chicken House on Wheels

This attractive design will be an asset to your backyard landscape and should be welcomed in any neighborhood that permits chickens.

These free detailed plans show you how to build a mobile chicken house by backyardchickens that can hold several hens and keep them safe from predators. It’s constructed from wood but the large wheels on one end make the tractor easy to pull and move around the yard so hens always have a fresh supply of grass.

Chicken House on Wheels we just love its design, image via: backyardchickens

31- Mobile Chicken Tractor Plans

Having the ability to move your flock of hens around to fresh grazing land in safety is what a mobile chicken tractor such as this one by backyardchickens will provide.

The flock can be moved all at the same time without chasing them around the yard when their home is on wheels. This chicken tractor is an A-frame design and is inexpensive to build. The design has nesting boxes, partial roof so protection from the elements. and is secured with chicken wire to keep predators away from your precious birds.

This mobile chicken coop will keep your hens safe and well-fed for years.

32- Covered Chicken Tractor Plans

Cattle panels, 2×4‘s, and a tarp are about all you will need to create this covered chicken tractor. Ideal to keep your flock safe, sheltered, and eating organically year-round.

These chicken tractor plans we are talking about are easy to follow and allow you to construct this portable structure in just a few hours. The bottom-less design provides the hens with complete access to the ground so they can use their naturally scratching ability to dig bugs and grubs out of the soil for a protein-rich meal.

Covered Chicken Tractor Plans

33- Small A-Frame Chicken Tractor

If your flock of hens is small then a small A-frame chicken tractor by ana-white will help feed and house them in stylish comfort.

We found this design an ideal one for a suburban flock of backyard chickens, this small A-frame mobile chicken coop is easy to build. These free chicken tractor plans are simple to follow and the cost is minimal. Ideal size for 2-4 laying hens, this small A-frame has fold-down doors that allow for easy access to the inside of the tractor.

Small A-Frame Chicken Tractor, image via: ana-white

34- Money Making Chicken Tractor

If you are looking for a safe environment to raise a large flock of money-making chickens we recommend these chicken tractor plans to you.

Lumber, chain link fencing, metal poles, a tarp, and some hardware can be put together in a way that will provide safe housing for a large number of chickens. The housing construction is light-weight enough to be mobile so the flock can be moved as needed.

Construct several of these mobile chicken tractors by farmmarketingsolutions so you can create a money-making chicken farm that is cheap to maintain. The hens will feast on fresh grass and bugs as they grow to maturity. The fresh organic food the hens are raised on will enable you to sell them for top dollar at the market.

Money Making Chicken Tractor , image via: farmmarketingsolutions

35- Reclaimed Lumber Chicken Tractor Plans

Use reclaimed lumber and these free chicken tractor plans by backyardchickens to construct a safe environment for your precious birds. The wheels on the bottom make the structure easy to move and the enclosed top laying boxes provide security and safety for the hens.

Reclaim lumber from wooden pallets, leftover lumber from other construction projects, or other sources. Lumber does not have to be new, it just has to be sturdy. Reclaimed lumber will also help keep usable items out of the landfill and make the DIY project cheaper to build.

Reclaimed Lumber Chicken Tractor Plans, image via: backyardchickens

36- Bantam House Chicken Tractor

Here we have an adorable mobile chicken coop by backyardchickens that looks like a playhouse for a little girl. Pink paint, heart cut-outs, and a shingled roof make this DIY project a bantam house instead of a mere chicken tractor.

But don’t let the prettiness fool you. This bantam house has 4 wheels and is completely mobile.

The enclosed interior is large enough to comfortably house 4 hens and nesting boxes. The bantam house is safe from predators and will make an attractive addition to your backyard chicken farm.

Bantam House Chicken Tractor, image via: backyardchickens

37- Backyard Chicken Tractor Plans

Use these free chicken tractor plans to create a safe and mobile home for your small backyard chicken flock.

Large enough to house 4 hens and small enough for an urban backyard. Keep your precious birds safe and feeding on fresh grass with this easy to build mobile chicken coop by fix.

Ideas and plans for creating DIY nesting boxes are also included for your convenience. Having the right size nesting box is essential for good egg production.

A chicken run is another essential component of a well thought out chicken tractor and this design ensures the hens will be able to get plenty of exercise in the run.

Backyard Chicken Tractor Plans, image via: fix

38- Hoop House Style Chicken Tractor

This chicken tractor has a different shape than most we have discusse above and is built in the shape of a hoop house. The flat bottom and round top make the chicken tractor spacious and lightweight so it’s comfortable for the hens while remaining easy to move.

These free PVC chicken tractor plans by instructables make building this portable hen house easy and affordable. Detailed pictorial instructions are easy to follow and the size can be adapted to meet the needs of your flock.

We love this Hoop House Style Chicken Tractor, image via: instructables

39- Hoop Chicken Coop

This is a fun name for seriously efficient chicken tractor by backyardchickens. Easy to build, roomy, and easy to move. An attached rope makes moving the hoop coop each morning an easy task. Mobile chicken coops like this one provide the hens with plenty of fresh organic greens and bugs every day so they remain healthy.

This is ideal when raising chickens for both meat and eggs. The fresh organic food the hens eat make their eggs and meat more nutrient-rich and un-tainted from chemicals. Help promote good chicken health as well as your own health by building a DIY chicken tractor like this hoop coop.

Hoop Chicken Coop, image via: backyardchickens

40- Hen House Tractor

These free chicken tractor plans by backyardchickens show you how to build a large, lightweight hen house tractor that provides everything your precious birds need.

There is a large enclosed and secure shelter across the back of the house for the chickens to roost in and lay their eggs. The front of the structure is secured with chicken wire to keep the hens in and the predators out.

Although as we see in the picture the structure is large it’s still lightweight enough to easily be moved by one person.Keep your hens safe and move them to fresh grass every morning inside this easy to build hen house tractor.

Image via: backyardchickens.com

41- Cute Little Chicken Tractor Plans

This cute little coop is perfect for a small back yard and will comfortably house 2-4 laying hens. If you want fresh eggs for breakfast every morning but don’t want a large hen house and lots of cleaning work, this cute little coop by backyardchickens is the answer.

Easy to build and easy to move, the structure has a low profile and is great for an urban backyard.

Accessing the hens and eggs is easy from the side door. It can be painted to fit in with any type of outdoor decor.

Cute Little Chicken Tractor Plans, image via: backyardchickens

42- Simple Chicken Tractor Plans

Build this simple chicken tractor by simplyresourceful.blogspot with leftover lumber and a little chicken wire in just one afternoon.

The simple design is easy and inexpensive to build and it will keep your precious bird secure in their run. Hens can free-range and eat organically within the safety of this simple chicken tractor. The hens can’t escape and predators can’t get in. This mobile coop is ideal for use with a stationary hen house and will allow the hens to get daily exercise and fresh grass to eat.

Simple Chicken Tractor Plans, image via: simplyresourceful

43- Cheap Chicken Tractor Plans

Raising meat chickens is easy and inexpensive with this cheap chicken tractor by grit Keep the hens secure, safe, well-fed, and allow them to leave behind free fertilizer with these lightweight, easy to build cheap chicken tractors.

Cheap Chicken Tractor Plans, image via: grit

Final Thoughts

Remember, your chicken tractor plans may include the usual amenities, or it may be a very simple design. Regardless, you should still make sure it’s safe and comfortable for your chickens.

With the wide selection of chicken tractor plans we have shared with you, you’re sure to build a chicken tractor that works for you.

References:

arc.miami.edu, MW 1:30-6:00, Fall 2016 Adamson/Ceo “Mobile Chicken Coop”, https://www.arc.miami.edu/_assets/pdf/mobile-chicken-coop.pdf

ucanr.edu, “Hand-Moveable Chicken Coops for Small Scale Egg-Production”, https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/251487.pdf

13 Famous Chickens Breeds That Lay Colored Eggs

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Chickens that lay colored eggs add another layer of fun and excitement to raising backyard chickens. The eggs have the same flavor as white eggs, but finding the colored eggs make it like hunting Easter eggs every time you go to the hen house.

Chicken egg colors vary from blue, green and brown can range from dark to light shades of the color. The reason behind the colored eggs is unclear, but most agree that chickens that lay colored eggs are doing so in a natural response to their surroundings. If the egg color is camouflaged within the nesting material it will have a better chance of being unseen by predators and reaching maturity.

Chickens That Lay Blue Eggs

Araucana Chickens

These chickens that lay colored eggs originated in Chile and are quite rare today. They have not only distinguished themselves from other chicken breeds by laying blue eggs, but they are also unique in the fact that they have no tail feathers and ear tufts.

Araucanas are hardy, active, curious and love to explore, making them an ideal free range chicken for a backyard. They can easily keep themselves fed and entertained by scratching for grubs, worms and insects. They also love people and enjoy being picked up, cuddled and handled by children.

Expect around 180 blue eggs each year from this active and fast maturing breed. Unfortunately the gene that sets Araucana chickens apart also causes them to die in the shell. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as white and black chicken breeds.

Araucana Chickens that lay color eggs

Ameraucana Chickens

The second chicken breed in our list that lay colored eggs is ameraucana. These chickens have blue legs and lay blue eggs, but their feather color varies greatly. Ameraucana chickens can be black, white, blue, wheaton or any color combination in-between. They all have piercing red eyes that give them the appearance of being fierce and mean. They are just the opposite of that. This breed of chicken that lays colored eggs has a sweet disposition and makes a good pet.

Ameraucana chickens have gray muffs and beards, making them look like an old bearded man or a chipmunk. This hardy breed will reach a mature weight of about 5 pounds and tolerates confinement. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as heritage chicken breeds.

Ameraucana Chickens

Cream Legbar Chicken

At number three we have chicken that lays blue eggs is a cross between three breeds: Barred Plymouth Rocks, Golden Leghorns and Araucanas. The results is a friendly chicken that forages for most of its food and is easily handled.

The Cream Legbar is a crested chicken that produces chickens which can easily be sexed by the color of their feathers as soon as they hatch. These chickens have firm, muscular bodies and long a long, flat tail.

The eggs are shades of blue that range from sky blue to bluish-green. Mature hens will weigh four pounds, mature rooster will weigh around seven pounds. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as rare chicken breeds.

Cream Legbar Chicken

Easter Egger Chicken

These chickens are friendly, hardy and lay extra large, colorful eggs. The Easter Egger is also an attractive chicken, with tan and white feather and a beard. However, since the Easter Egger is a mixed breed, there is no standard for appearance. It’s possible to a hen house full of Easter Eggers with no two looking alike.

This is a mixed breed chicken that does not fit into any specific breed. It’s often mistake for other blue egg laying chickens, which can be a problem if you’re looking for a show chicken.

The Easter Egger will lay blue eggs, plus rose, brown, green and cream colored eggs. This is an ideal way to create organic, free range colorful egg for Easter with the use of dye or any other type of chemical. Go green this Easter with true colored eggs produced by an Easter Egger hen.

Easter Egger Chicken

Chickens That Lay Green Eggs

Olive Eggers

Happy little chicken that was created by cross breeding a brown egg layer and a blue egg layer. Olive Eggers have a mild temperament and will produce around 200 large green eggs each year. These green egg layers make good pets and get along well with other breeds of chickens.

The temperament, size, skin color, feather color, etc. depends upon the two breeds that were combined to create an Olive Egger.

Olive Eggers are typically a hardy breed that will adjust to most any climate or environment. Create your own Olive Egger with the certain specifications by selecting your favorite breed of brown egg layers and blue egg layers and breeding them together. You’ll get a hen with desired traits that lays green eggs.

Olive Eggers

Isbars

Cold hardy chickens that originated in Sweden and lay moss green eggs. Ideal foragers for any free range farm, Isbars will lay around 200 green eggs each year.

This breed enjoys people and are naturally curious. They are always on high alert and on the look out for predators.

Isbars (pronounced ice-bar) are an attractive breed of hens and roosters that are relatively new, having only been a recognized breed since 1950.

Isbars Hen that lay color eggs

Favaucana

A cross between Faverolles and Amerucanas, this chicken that lays colored eggs will fill your basket with sage green eggs. Favaucanas are cold hardy beauties that have excellent egg laying abilities that produce five eggs a week.

This breed does not like heat, but will tolerate confinement in a well ventilate coop.

Favaucanas love to chat, are friendly and curious. Their sweet disposition makes them an ideal family pet that just happens to lay green eggs.

This is a large bird and will weight around eight pounds when full grown. You may like to see egg laying chicken breeds.

Chickens That Lay Brown Eggs

Marans

These small black chickens lay deep brown eggs that resemble an oval piece of chocolate. Easy going chicken breed that makes a great addition to a backyard flock of egg layers. Prized for both meat and egg production,

Originating in Marans, France, this breed was developed using the local feral chickens in the mid 1,800s. The breed has been refined over the years until it reached a pinnacle of fame in 2011 when Marans was named as the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection.

Marans Hen

Wellsummer

These mild tempered chickens originated in the Dutch town of Wellsum. These are large, active chickens that lay brown eggs with darker brown speckles.

Roosters are coveted for the beautiful plumage that are various shades of red and black. The chestnut brown hackles and saddle feathers are free flowing and contrast perfectly with the beetle-green chest and bottom feathers.

Wellsummer chickens are very popular in the the UK and Australia, but have not garnered a faithful following in other countries yet.

Wellsummer Hen

Penedesencas Chickens

This breed originated in Spain and is ideal for raising in hot climates. Penedesencas produce the darkest brown eggs of all – all hens lay deep, reddish-brown eggs. They make great egg producers, but not good pets. This breed is wary and skiddish of humans and it will take time for them to get used to you and not run when approached.

Hens are small and weigh around four pounds when mature, males weigh slightly more at maturity. This breed is hardy and alert, and rooster make excellent flock protectors.

Penedesencas Chickens

Golden Comets

The Golden Comet is a new comer in the hybrid chicken breeds. It was bred primarily for abundant egg production, but they serve the dual purpose of meat and egg production.

These brown egg layers unlike other breeds in our list reach maturity fast and begin to lay extra large brown eggs at an early age, usually around 16 weeks old. Golden Comets will produce over 300 brown eggs per year.

These chicken have small bodies, typically weighing in at four pounds when mature. Their feathers are light-medium reddish brown with a few white feathers mixed in.

They have a mellow disposition and enjoy being picked up and held. They are naturally curious chickens and want to be involved in your outdoor activities. You may like to see small chicken breeds.

Golden Comets

Chickens That Lay Cream Eggs

Faverolle Chicken

Originating in France, this egg layer is a mix of the best characteristics of several different chicken breeds. Faverolles were developed with meat and egg production in mind, but their fluffy feathered appearance, calm disposition and cream eggs have made them a favorite show chicken and family chicken.

These are medium sized chickens when grown with compact bodies. They have five toes which are covered with feathers, as are their shanks. You can expect between 150-180 cream colored eggs each year from a laying Faverolle hen.

Faverolle Chicken

Dorking Chickens

Named for a Southern English town called Dorking, this short legged chickens has five toes and a rose-colored comb. This breed is best known for its tender meat, not colored egg production.

These chickens have a heavy body and will weight around eight pounds when grown. Originally raised for meat and eggs, Dorking chickens are a rare breed that are currently only raised for their green egg production.

Dorking chickens are excellent winter layers and gentle foragers. They don’t destroy garden plants and grass as they scratch like other chicken breeds often do.

Adult females will weight seven pounds, adult roosters will weigh nine pounds.

Dorking Chickens

Ending Note

So these are different chicken breeds that lay colored eggs such as green, blue, brown and cream. The average number of eggs laid per year is 180 to 300. You can select any of these breeds you like the most from our list.

29 Free Pallet Chicken Coop Plans You Can Build In a Weekend

1- Getting Free Pallet Chicken Coop

Build a large chicken coop the cheap and easy way with these free pallet chicken coop plans we are going to share with you. Gather free wooden pallets from Craig’s List in your local area and you will have all the lumber needed for building a chicken coop out of pallets. In addition to the lumber, you will need some roofing material and screws to complete this DIY building project.

Each pallet wood slat is typically cut to 37 inches so you won’t have to cut most of the wood. Break down the pallets and select the best wood slats for your building project. Customize the size and height of the new DIY pallet chicken coop by ladyleeshome to accommodate whatever flock size you have.

The pallet wood can be painted or left in its’ rustic, natural state. The pallet wood is strong, sturdy and will last for years as-is but a coat of paint or stain will enable the wood to last a few years longer.

Getting Free Pallet Chicken Coop Plans, we love this design, image via: ladyleeshome

2- Cedar Siding

Get these free pallet chicken coop plans that will show every step of the building process so you will be able to complete it in just one weekend. Download and print the plans for a quick reference during the building process.

How to build: To build this pallet chicken coop just add cedar shake siding to an ordinary pallet chicken coop to elevate it to a thing of beauty. Purchase Cheap bundles of cedar shakes for only $20. Apply cadar shakes to the sides of a DIY pallet chicken coop by instructables that will weather proof the structure of coop and make it look nice. Your chicken flock will have a safe, warm, dry, and secure place to live and you will have a nice structural feature in your backyard. A layer of tar paper is added on top of the pallet wood before the cedar shakes are attached so additional weather proofing.

The coop size can be customized to accommodate the size of flock that you have. The price of eggs has skyrocketed so having your own flock of laying hens will save you a lot of money plus it could bring in extra income. Many people are willing to pay a little more for fresh organic eggs instead of paying the high prices at the grocery store.

We highly recommend to make this two door Cedar Siding pallet chicken coop, image via: instructables

3- Building A Pallet Chicken Coop

Build an almost free pallet chicken coop like this one on Youtube with recycled materials! Make a few calls to local businesses and often they will give you wooden pallets and other leftover building materials just to get them out of their way.

Materials needed for this DIY pallet chicken coop project will be wood from pallets, roofing, and screws. A chicken coop the size of this one would cost around $1,000 pre-made but you can build it for practically nothing. This large, sturdy chicken coop can is built from pallets and will provide safe, warm, shelter for a large flock of hens.

Make the calls, gather the materials, and watch this YouTube video so you can build a pallet chicken coop like this one in a weekend.

4- Elevated Pallet Chicken Coop Plan

Use these free pallet chicken coop plans to build a small, elevated hen house by the-shed-and-beyond that allows you to retrieve eggs without bending or going inside the coop unlike other homemade chicken coops we often see. Perfect for an owner with a bad back that want free, organic eggs for breakfast each morning.

Elevated Pallet Chicken Coop Plan, image via: the-shed-and-beyond

5- Easy To Build Pallet Chicken Coop

Look these free pallet chicken coop plans on youtube on youtube and build one like it for your chickens in a weekend. Follow these detailed instructions and build this in a weekend. A few wood pallets and tin for the roof are about all you will need to build this easy pallet home for your backyard chicken flock.

If you need a safe, secure place for your chickens to roost but don’t want to spend a lot of money, watch this YouTube video. These free plans will show you how to transform a few wooden pallets into an attractive and functional chicken coop that will last for years.

This pallet chicken coop was built for under $50. If you have leftover tin roofing on hand then the building project will cost even less. This easy DIY project can be built in a weekend.

6- Rustic Coop

This plan for building a small and rustic coop by homegrownorg is perfect for those who live in a wooded setting. This backyard chicken coop plans create a safe house for the fowl family that blends in with the wooded landscape.

Rustic Chicken Coop, image via: homegrownorg

7- Sleek and Modern Pallet Coop

No one will know these hen house plans start with recycled wood pallets by theownerbuildernetwork. The end result is a sleek and modern abode that any chicken would be proud to call home. You can also make this chicken coop moveable by adding tyres to the bottom.

It is one of our favourite hen House plans made with recycled wood pallets , image via: theownerbuildernetwork

8- Little Red Hen House

When we think of a hen house, most of us have an image of a little red house where the chickens live. This is it. These free pallet chicken coop plans will show you how to build that cute little red hen house in your backyard this weekend.

Happy hens lay more eggs, and this little red hen house will make your hens very happy. The structure will also add to the curb appeal and value of your property.

This DIY pallet chicken coop by avisiontoremember is built off the ground (like the one we discussed earlier) to provide a shady and safe place for the hens to roam and scratch during the day time. The elevation also helps to keep predators out of the hen house.

A side window provides natural light inside the hen house and an exterior door provides easy access to the nesting boxes. You will be able to gather the eggs without going inside the hen house. A ramp built into the bottom of the hen house allows the hens freedom to come and go as they please within the confines of their house and fenced in yard.

Your kids will be wanting a little red hen house like this one to use as an outdoor play house. Since the building cost is cheap you can afford to build two pallet houses — one for the hens and one for the kids. The wood pallet can be obtained for free and leftover building materials, like roofing, windows, and paint, can be used to make the little hen house your own unique design.

The size of this hen house is easy to modify and can be built to house a large or small flock of chickens.

Little Red Hen House, image via: avisiontoremember

9- Small Pallet Chicken Coop

We suggest this pallet chicken coop by rootsandwingsfurniture those who have a small flock of chickens, it’s ideal for a flock of 2-4 hens. It also fits perfectly into a small backyard. The design is also attractive enough to meet the guidelines of most subdivision rules.

Get these step-by-step plans that will show you how to build this small pallet coop that can be built in a weekend. The coop is elevated off the ground to protect the hens from predators and to provide easy access to the inside of the coop. Gathering the eggs or cleaning the coop won’t be a back breaking experience when the chicken coop is at this height.

Small Chicken Coop for 2 to 4 hens, image via: rootsandwingsfurniture

10- Country Style Chicken Coop

We recommend this DIY pallet chicken coop for a country style homestead. It’s an ideal addition that will complement a farmhouse style home decor. This adorable and practical chicken coop can be built in a weekend and it will last for years.

The hens live on the upper level and have a fenced in chicken run underneath. They will be safe and secure both day and night. The nesting boxes are easy to access from the outside of the chicken coop so you will be able to gather eggs and clean the nesting boxes easily.

Upcycle pallets and roofing material so this DIY chicken coop by nation.ryobitools will be very inexpensive to build. This stylish country style coop will require some carpentry skills but anyone with a little knowledge of measuring and cutting should be able to build this coop.

An attractive, functional, and practical chicken coop like this one made from upcycled pallet wood will also add value to your property.

Country Style Chicken Coop Image via: onehundreddollarsamonth

11- Chicken Shed

The She Shed has grown in popularity and a chicken shed like this one will make a perfect companion building. I think this cute chicken shed made from recycled pallet wood by onehundreddollarsamonth will look good in any backyard. It’s almost free to build and can be completed in just one weekend.

To build this pallet chicken coop you will need a few wood pallets, a couple of used windows, roofing shingles, netting, and hardware for this DIY project. The netting will be placed on one side of the chicken shed to create a safe outdoor space for the chickens to move around in. Depending on how many of the items you can for free, this delightful little pallet chicken shed can be built for under $50 or less.

Placing used windows in the design will provide natural light inside the chicken shed and allow you to look inside at your flock of hens. For an added touch of charm, build a flower box from some of the pallet wood and attach it to the side of the shed. Place the flower box high enough up on the shed so the hens can’t reach it because they do enjoy the taste of greenery and flowers.

pallet chicken coop Image via: onehundreddollarsamonth

12- Under $50 Pallet Chicken Coop

If you need to build a chicken coop but your budget is tight I suggest that you watch this YouTube video. It will show you how to build a good looking and functional pallet chicken coop for under $50.

Building a chicken coop out of pallets won’t get any easier or cheaper than this model. All you will need is a few used wood pallets, a window, roofing material, and some hardware. All the building components can be put together in a weekend so your hens will have a safe and secure place to live. The nesting box is easy to access from the outside so you will only have to go inside the coop when it’s time to clean it out.

This DIY chicken coop is perfect for a small flock in a small backyard. You can add a coat of paint to the coop to make it look nice in your backyard. Any color of leftover paint will work great since the coop is small it won’t take much paint.

13- Large Chicken Coop

This pallet chicken coop design is the one I love the most for a large flock. It’s ideal for a homestead that intends to raise meat chickens as well as laying hens. The chicken coop on Youtube is large and has an attached, secured chicken yard so the hens can go in and out as desired.

It will take wood from a lot of reclaimed pallets to build this large chicken coop but the upcycled pallets will save you a lot of money on this large project. You will also need OSB board, 2x4s, roofing material, fencing, and hardware to build this pallet chicken coop. Some experience in carpentry will also be needed.

The cost for this pallet wood chicken coop is the most expensive so far but it’s still a low-cost option for a large flock of hens.

14- Simple Pallet Wood Hen House

Nothing fancy about this one but it serves the purpose and costs very little to build. If all you want is a simple house for your hens, I would recommend this easy to build hen house by palletswoodenprojects.

Created from wood pallets, the design is a simple oblong wood box with a tin roof. It is built off the ground on wood legs to help keep the predator out and the hens safe. The nesting box is built onto the back and can be accessed from outside.

The front door and off the ground design will make it easy to enclose an area with chicken wire to make an outdoor space for your hens. It will only take a few used pallets and one weekend to build this hen house.

Simple Pallet Wood Hen House Image via: palletswoodenprojects

15- Shabby Chic For Chickens

If shabby chic is your style preference, I recommend you take a look at this pallet wood chicken house design. The floor and walls are created from upcycled pallets and the chicken coop by diydoctor is topped with a tin roof. The pallet wood is left in its natural color and a colorful bucket is suspended from a hook on the outside to be used for gathering eggs to complete the shabby chic look.

This attractive hen house can be built in a weekend and the cost will be minimal. It’s an ideal addition to your backyard flock of hens and will add value to your property.

Shabby Chic For Chickens Image via: diydoctor

16- Pallet Chicken Run

As we know chickens love to scratch in the soil and search for small bugs to supplement their diets. They also need a safe place to roam around while they are scratching in the soil. This chicken run created from wood pallets is an ideal way to provide a safe, outdoor environment for your flock.

Follow these free chicken coop plans for using wood pallets by attainable-sustainable.net to build an outdoor extension for the chicken coop. Your chickens will be kept safe and confined so they won’t get into your vegetable or flower garden and scratch your plants up.

The wood pallets are stood up on their sides and secured into the ground with fence posts to create an enclosed outdoor space for your chickens. As an extension of the chicken coop, the hens can go in and out as they please.

This pallet chicken run is easy to build in a weekend and the cost is minimal.

Pallet Chicken Run, image via: attainable-sustainable.net

17- Large Pallet Chicken Coop

When a large house and run space is needed for your fowl family, these step-by-step instructions on how to build a chicken coop from pallets by backyardchickens is just what you need. You can still get this built within a weekend and reap the benefits for years to come.

Large house and run space, image via: backyardchickens

18- Small Fowl House

Functional and small chicken coop, this fowl house is as cute as a backyard doll house. Perfect for achieving a shabby-chic look in your backyard.

Functional and small chicken coop

19- Easy Chicken Coop Plans

Easy does it with these step-by-step plans for a backyard chicken coop by backyardchickens. Easy and attractive, your chickens will want to go inside before all the walls have been erected.

Easy Chicken Coop Plans, image via: backyardchickens

20- Cheap and Easy

Cheap and easy can still look nice in your landscape when you follow these picture-heavy plans for building your own backyard hen house by thehomesteadingboards. No one will guess this recycled hen house is made from pallets.

Picture-heavy plans backyard chicken house, image via: thehomesteadingboards

21- Small and Simple Pallet Chicken Coop

When you just need to provide a safe roost for a couple of chickens each night, check out these simple plans that transform wooden pallets into a small and simple hen house by scrapsoffive.

Small and Simple Pallet Chicken Coop, image via: scrapsoffive

22- Safe and Secure Pallet Coop

Make your chickens feel safe and secure by building them a small, yet functional, hen house with these free pallet-building plans by aranchmom.

Safe and Secure Pallet Coop, image via: aranchmom

23- Walk-In Pallet Chicken Coop

Use these free pallet chicken coop plans by summersacres to build a tall, walk-in coop that will give you and your chicken room to grow into. Walk-in hen houses make for easy cleaning, egg-gathering and general maintenance. See the building plans at

Walk-In Pallet Chicken Coop, image via: egg-gathering

24- Pallets and Upcycled Lumber

Construct this adorable country hen house with pallet wood and upcycled lumber. If you live in an area that has a building code but still want a couple of chickens, this hen house should pass inspection. It is small, does not obstruct the view, and would look nice in any backyard.

Use these instructions for building a chicken coop out of pallets by nation.ryobitools this weekend. Then, head over to your local farmers markets and buy a few hens and you will be eating fresh eggs next week.

A small flock of laying hens will supply you with almost two dozen eggs per week. And with the price of eggs so high, everyone should have a couple of laying hens in their backyard.

Pallets and Upcycled Lumber, image via: nation.ryobitool

25- Stylish Chicken House

If you are considering getting a backyard chicken flock, you will need a house for them. Chickens roost at night and a place for them to forage during the day will keep the flock out of the weather and safe from predators.

This stylish chicken house made from recycled pallet wood by onehundreddollarsamonth will provide your flock with everything they need and it will look good in your backyard. This pallet chicken coop design is an all-in-one hen house that provides shelter, nesting boxes, and fenced in access to the outdoors. These free plans will provide you with detailed written instructions as well as a pictorial progression of the building process.

This pallet chicken coop design may cost a little more than the other ones we discussed above, but it does look very nice when completed. This would be an ideal hen house for anyone living in a subdivision where building restrictions may be enforced. You will be able to enjoy the companionship of live chickens and enjoy fresh eggs without taking away from your view of the outdoors.

Stylish pallet chicken coop design, image via: onehundreddollarsamonth

26- Cheap Chicken House

Build a cheap chicken house using the wooden slats from recycled pallets. You will also need some roofing material and hardware but a pallet chicken coop like this one will cost less than $50 to build.

Watch this YouTube video and follow the detailed plans to build a DIY pallet chicken coop like this Youtube one this weekend. It’s a great way to get started raising chickens and having fresh organic eggs without spending a lot of money on start-up costs.

If you want to save money, use recycled building materials, and have a chicken house that will keep your hens safe, build a pallet chicken coop like this one. This design also makes gathering eggs and cleaning out the nest very easy.

27- Large Chicken Coop

Watch this YouTube video to discover how you can take small wooden pallets and build a very large DIY pallet chicken coop like this one on Youtube with recycled wood. You will also need OSB board, roofing material, and hardware to complete the build. Even though this is a large chicken coop it can still be built in one weekend if you gather all the building materials first.

If you are planning on expanding your flock of yard birds, then they will need a large house to live in. This is a great idea for a big family living on a homestead or if you are looking to sell eggs or baby chicks to bring in more income.

Using recycled pallet wood will save you a lot of money on this DIY project. Chickens are social creatures and love to interact with you, plus provide you with wholesome, high protein eggs.

28- Off Ground Chicken Coop

Keep your flock happy and safe with an off ground pallet chicken coop by palletswoodenprojects like this one. Built with recycled pallet wood and topped with a tin roof, this is the ideal place for your hens to lay their eggs. And since it is built a few feet off the ground, the hens naturally climb up the ramp and enter the hen house to roost at night. Close the door and your flock will sleep safely all night.

This is a great hen house to build for a large homestead. It is cheap and easy to build, plus it is sturdy and will last for several years. You can build it in one weekend and it will last for several years. Add a coat of paint to protect the wood and make it look nice.

Off Ground Chicken Coop, image via: palletswoodenprojects

29- Rustic Chicken Coop

The rustic design of this pallet chicken coop by diydoctor is adorable! The design also keeps the building costs and time involvement down to a minimum.

Build this rustic hen house in one weekend for a small flock of backyard chickens. The design makes it easy to incorporate it into your landscape design or to make the hen house the focal point of your backyard.

These free, step by step instructions will enable you to build one just like it. This chicken coop can be customized to suit the size of the flock that you have. It will keep the predators out and your chickens safely inside. This pallet chicken coop would also be great for turkeys, dusks, or guineas.

Rustic Chicken Coop, image via: diydoctor

Summing Up

Pallet chicken coops are easy to build and are not expensive too so you can build your own chicken coop without spending a lot of money on building. You can select any of these pallet chicken coops to make your own depending upon the shape and size that best suits your needs.

And, we hope you also have the inspiration and guidance you need to build your own coop. We’d love to hear how your own chicken coop adventures go and any questions you have in the comments!

FAQs

How many pallets do I need to build a chicken coop?

That depends on the size of the chicken coop you plan on building, the design of the coop, and the condition of the wood. You could build a small chicken coop with only 5 pallets but a large one might require 50 pallets.

Get extra when possible. You may want to expand the chicken coop and need more lumber.

Is pallet wood safe for chickens?

Yes, most of it is safe. Most pallet wood has not been treated with chemicals and they are created from rough sawn lumber. Avoid any pallet marked “MB”. This means the pallet was treated with methyl bromide, a toxic chemical that could be hazardous to chickens.

As long as all the nails are removed, no unknown substance has been spilled on the wood, and the broken pieces with jagged edges are not used, the chickens will be safe.

Is pallet wood waterproof?

Pallet wood is raw wood. It has never been treated with any type of water-resistant product. While it is not water proof, it will help to keep chickens dry during a rain storm for a little while. Once the wood becomes saturated the rain water will begin to drip inside the chicken coop. Cover the pallet wood with some type of water proof roofing material.

Can you get pallets for free?

Yes, you can and free wood to build with will keep your pallet chicken coop costs down to the bare minimum.

To find places that offer free pallets, think about the businesses that would buy bulky, heavy items. Items like that are often stacked on pallets and covered in shrink wrap before being shipped out to the business.

Check garden centers, hardware stores, furniture stores, and building supply stores. Sometimes they can be found around dumpsters or offered on a local online sale site.

20 Amazing Rare Chicken Breeds With Special Characteristics

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Raising chickens in backyard is always inspiring for backyard chicken raisers whether for ornamental purpose or keeping them as a pet or for getting eggs and meat from them. As people love their birds and are so much attached with them; they always like to select and raise chicken breeds that have more attractive and have good characteristics as well. A part from some common types of chickens breeds there’re some special and rare chicken’s breeds. Here I have made a list of 20 amazing, attractive, good looking and rare breeds of chickens.

1-Lemon Pyle Brahma, a rare chicken breed

The first one in our list is a large chicken breed which has significant marked and color. This breed lay around 180 eggs per year, here is a collection of rare chicken breeds by familiesraisingchickens that have been disappearing from the world, less than ten thousands in numbers which need great attention to preserve them.

Lemon Pyle Brahma a rare chicken breed, lay 180 eggs per year, very rare breed

2-Speckled Sussex Hen

Speckled Sussex Hen- For eggs & meat; cold hardy, docile; winter layer

Speckled sussex chicken breed

3-Sumatra Chicken Breed:

This black chicken breed is gorgeous with it’s black plumage shimmering beetle green in the sunlinlight. An American heritage chicken breed that is at risk of becoming extinct soon without our help. Save genetic diversity and save our heritage breeds.

Brahma chicken breed

4-Brahma Chicken Breed

BRAHMA (relatively high body temperature for chickens to lose heat to the air around them. Their respiratory systems are very effective at cooling. They don’t have sweat glands. Chickens’ air sacks allow inhaled air (which is usually cooler than body temperature) to reach deep into the abdomen.

Chickens also have a panting mechanism (gular flutter) that evaporates water from the throat and reduces body temperature. Feathers act as insulation for keeping heat in, chickens raise their wings to release heat. You may also like to check out chicken breeds that lay colored eggs.

5-Furness rooster!

Furness rooster

6-Sultan Bantam Hen

Sultan bantam hen,

7-Blue Cochin Bantam Pullet

Blue Cochin Bantam Pullet

8-Collection Of Gorgeous Chicken Breeds

Here is a collection of different outstanding, and pretty looking rare chicken breeds. To see more click on image source

Collection Of Gorgeous Chicken Breeds

9-Cross Breed Rooster

Red Pyle Modern bantam cock from a Dutch Citron Silkie hen. You may also like to check out small chicken breeds.

Cross Breed Rooster

10-Tortoiseshell Silkie Chicken

Tortoiseshell Silkie chicken

11-Cream Brabanter Hens

Cream Brabanter Hens

12-A Japanese Chickens

A Japanese Chickens

13-BeutifulPolish Rare Chicken Breed

Beautiful Polish chicken breed

14-Asian Red Fowl

Asian Red Fowl

15-Barbu d’Uccle (Belgian breed)

Barbu d’Uccle (Belgian breed)

16-Blue Arpington

Blue Arpington

17-Booted Bantam

Booted Bantam, also called the Dutch Booted Bantam, is a bantam breed of chicken. Its name is derived from the bird’s extravagant feathering on the feet and hock joints, which are called vulture hocks or “sabels” in Dutch.With no large fowl counterpart from which it was miniaturized, the Booted is one of the true bantams. Males usually weigh in at around 850 grams (30 ounces) and females 750 grams (27 ounces). You may also like to check out egg laying chicken breeds.

Booted Bantam

18-Seabright Rare Chicken Breed

Seabright breed

19-Serama Rooster

serama rooster

20-Modern game

The largest chicken breed also called Aseel.

References:

PNAS, October 1, 2019, 116 (42) 20930-20937, “Reviving rare chicken breeds using genetically engineered sterility in surrogate host birds”, https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1906316116

New Scientist, By New Scientist and Press Association, 17 February 2017, “Hens that can lay eggs from other species could save rare birds”, https://www.newscientist.com/article/2121568-hens-that-can-lay-eggs-from-other-species-could-save-rare-birds/

15 Most Famous Heritage Chicken Breeds

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Are you planning to have a nice and healthy chicken flock? If that is your plan then you must be having a fair idea about the different breeds. Have you heard about ‘Heritage breed’’? Do not worry if you lack information than this excerpt is more of a guiding light for you. Continue to read for better knowledge:

Heritage Chicken breed:

In simpler words, it is the old-time chicken; in modern terms, it is known as non-hybrid type. Similarly, traditional farmers call this breed as ‘Heirloom’. This breed when born looks exactly like the parents, which is a general natural phenomenon.

Industrial Chicken breed:

The normal chickens that we see in the market these days are known as industrial chicken. In other words, they are the modern breeds and mainly used for their meat and fresh eggs.

There are many things, which require common about heritage and industrial breed like:

They need proper ventilation
Dry and clean housing
Fresh water and food

If you talk about most popular industrial breeds you must be thinking of ‘white Leghorn’ and ‘Cornish’ – they are used for their eggs and meat normally. However, without their friends or outside their farm they are very annoying and wild. This makes them less popular among the humans and they are likely to be the serving of the guests. If not hunt, these hens have the ability to live up to two years easily. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as white and black chicken breeds.

Variation in heritage Chicken breeds:

Within the category of heritage breed, there are more than thousands types based on their color and traits. Many would be a good source of food like meat, while there may be some, which are ideal for both eggs and flesh. Similarly, you may find some breeds, which have potential to bear cold temperature while other may be good in warm weather. Therefore, with some research it is good to know what kind of breed you are looking for.

It has been seen that heritage breeds tend to exhibit a better behavior than industrial ones. Interestingly, this type of chicken would be many times used as ‘ornamental purpose’ because of its wonderful natural colors. In addition, these chickens have special traits including big feathers, long tails and crest. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as rare chicken breeds.

By now, you must be having good idea and differentiation knowledge of what makes heritage chicken different from hybrid ones. So, have a look at the popular types of heritage chicken breeds from the list we have prepared for you.

List of Heritage Chicken Breeds:

Top ten diversified types of chicken breeds include:

1: Ancona:

If you are looking for a ‘winter breed’, which is energetic, active and playful, you must go for Ancona. This chicken produces a good number and size of ‘white eggs’.

2: Araucana:

The second breed we have in our list lays blue color eggs. You may find great variation within the araucana types as some may lack long tails while some have weird tufts.

3-Buff Orpington.

It has always been’ favorable chicken breed‘ because of many attributes such as laying good number of eggs, go broody and hatch chicks better than other breeds, has good tasty meat and lays ‘creamy color eggs’. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as chicken breeds that lay colored eggs.

4-Barred Plymouth Rock.

Mostly called as simply ‘rocks or barred rocks’, It’s originated in United States, cold hardy, heavy than Rhode Island red ,dual purpose breed that produces ‘brown color eggs’ and also serves as a good roasted chicken.

5-Black Australorp.

It’s originated in Australia, very calm, docile, have ‘black plumage’ with some shades of green and purple in sunlight. It lays ‘light brown eggs’ and has very famous among backyard chicken enthusiast.

6: Blue Andalusian:

As the name suggests, this breed has ‘blue feathers’ – also, ‘the large eggs may be white in color’ but the babies might be of white, blue or black color. You may even see some great combinations of hues too.

7: Black Minorca:

If you want to know who is the gangster when comes to chickens, have this breed in your flock. They are arrogant, moody and hardly blend up in the flocks. They lay over-sized eggs, which are ‘half-white in color’. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as egg laying chicken breeds.

8- Single comb brown leghorn:

You must have heard about ‘leghorn family’ a lot – defiantly, the breed belongs to the leghorn family so share almost every other feature of the cousins. They are big in size, lay ‘bright white eggs’ and remain unfriendly to all in the flock.

9-RHODE ISLAND RED.

No doubt it’s well popular among various heritage chicken breeds. It is a dual purpose breed that lays ‘brown color eggs‘ and famous as a fine broiler.

10-SPECKLED SUSSEX.

This breed originated from England about 100 years ago. The feather has a mix of ‘mahogany and black with white’ tips. It’s known as good laying breeds produces ‘light brown or tinted eggs’.

11: Silver Campine:

Highly adored for its ‘ornamental value’, this breed remains popular for those who want to have a small backyard farm but majorly for decor purpose. It’s lightweight, fully feathered, active and energetic chicken. However, the biggest benefit of this breed is constant production of ‘white eggs’.

12: New Hampshire:

Looking for a breed which can be used for ‘both barbecue and egg production‘? Tame this breed as you can get quick desired results as you can see this type of chicken gains the weight and feathers quickly and produce ‘large brown eggs‘.

13: White Langshan

This breed is commonly considered polite, because it generally enjoys being with other. In addition, it can be called beautiful because of its big feathers, which cover almost toes too. This breed lays a good number of eggs, which has somewhat ‘dark brown in color’. They offer great nutritional value.

14: White Crested black polish:

This breed has somewhat gorgeous color and a very different look than the other types. The sheen of this chicken is worth praising and the color is admirable. With all this, God has gifted the bred with the ability to produce a good amount of eggs, which are ‘white in color’. The fancy breed in every way is practical.

15: White laced red Cornish:

This breed would simply test your patience because this bird takes a lot of time to get fully mature. Normally people use this bird for flesh because egg production does not seem to be a very good option here. If you want to enjoy great chicken meal with close friends, or earn money, sell this breed in form of meat. This is the best breed if the goal is to have raising meat chickens. You may like to see other types of chicken breeds such as small chicken breeds.

Final Thoughts!

Other than the ones we mentioned above, there are many pure heritage and industrial breeds too. Based on your choice you simply choose between the best egg laying chicken breeds and the heritage meat chicken breeds. Yes, you even have the option of choosing chickens, which are highly adored for their ornament values too. You can have some exhibitions at your place and pet lovers would buy them for good value.

Building A DIY Chicken Nesting Boxes-21 Plans And Ideas

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These free chicken nesting box plans will provide you with 21 DIY options for building suitable boxes for your hens to lay their eggs. Chickens aren’t very picky about where they lay their eggs but having a few chicken nesting boxes makes gathering the eggs a lot easier for you.

The wide range of chicken nesting box plans we have shown here will help you decide on the DIY chicken box style that is right for your hen house. Hens will lay more eggs when they are happy and feel that their eggs are being laid in a safe spot. Check out these DIY nesting boxes from our list and get the project started this weekend.

1: Wooden Barrel Chicken Nesting Box Plan

It is a good idea to work on a nesting box like this one at grit by lisa.

which is portable. These will help you in coping up with weird egg laying habits of the chickens. Interestingly, you can build a lovely, half wooden barrel box of chicken eggs in 10 minutes. The material you need:

Wooden barrel ( cut into half)
Cordless drill
Wire snips

Take a wooden slab make holes into it, and make same size holes in the barrel too. Join them together with wire. Make sure the slab has something colorful on it which appeals the chicken.

Image via: grit

2: Triplex Chicken Nesting Box Plan

This is another one chicken nesting box plan by removeandreplace for backyard. We suggest this to those backyard farmers who want to get done with a nesting box which can keep three or more birds at a time. For triplex type, you may need help from a friend or maybe professional.

The problem occurs when you are supposed to join wooden slabs all together and form a secure nesting area. Don’t forget to place fake eggs into the boxes; else you won’t be able to convince your flocks to lay eggs inside it.

Image via: removeandreplace

3: DIY Cute Nesting Box

Here we have broken down the steps of how to build chicken nesting boxes like this one by urbanfarmonline and that even in simpler ways, being a novice.

Assemble your needed parts and tools
Cut two equal pieces of plywood (one is the base and other is back)
Cut another two pieces from plywood but make sure they have slanted edges – they will make sides.
Cut roof and front from plywood pieces.
You need 8 different size lumber pieces too

Follow the link to see how to join the wooden slabs together. It is certainly a very good looking sort of nesting box.

Image via: urbanfarmonline

4: Five Gallon Bucket Chicken Nesting Box

Discover how to make a chicken nesting box in this this YouTube video from a 5-gallon bucket. The large plastic buckets are cheap to buy and the plastic is easy to cut, making this DIY project cheap and easy.

5: Down East Laying Box

This one is simple, easy and fast to build nesting box by downeastthunderfarm according to its designer ‘paul’. It is an ideal chicken nesting box plan, and that even works perfectly fine for backyard settings. The materials you need for this project include:

Plywood
Strapping
studs
Flathead wood screws
Waterproof glue ( for wood)

The link has details about construction and pictures that would give you clear idea about the joining of the various pieces.

Image via: downeastthunderfarm

6: Quick Chicken Nesting Box Plan

It is all wood game – you need to have a slanted top, probably designed with various wooden sheets. Also, with a door type front, you can attract hens to come over it and lay their eggs. Make sure you keep fresh straws in it so that hens feel comfortable. If you think you hens would not get habitual of this behavior, place a fake egg to make them used too.

See this Detail Plan by ana-white.

Image via: ana-white.

7: Nesting Box Made Of Dish Pan

Metal nesting boxes when bought from the market are an expensive option. However, you don’t have worry for that as DIY plan by sjoystudios would facilitate your need. The materials needed would be:

Dishpans (two of same shape and size)
Snips
Drills
Cable ties

Make two equal opening at the main side of the dishpans. Flip one over the other and fix it will screws. This way you will get simplest types of nesting boxes – for depth knowledge.

Nesting Box made of Dish Pan by rebecca simpson

Image via: sjoystudios

8: DIY Plywood Box by simon wells

One of the simplest ways of making a highly functional nesting box is here we have in this plan at brand-google – use plywood and get done with it. You can either place it on the floor, or hung it for a wall and keep eggs there in the morning. Make sure it is about 10 inches, as it is an ideal nesting box measurement. Make sure you cut the wooden pieces in equal length and fix them well, because that is only part that require attention, rest remains fun.

Image via: brand-google

9: Chicken Nesting Box from Pallet Wood

The hens won’t mind that their nesting boxes like this one at littlehouseinthesuburbs are made from recycled pallet wood, as long as each box measures about 1-foot by 1-foot.

Using old pallet wood will make the DIY project almost free to create. These free plans are easy to follow and the nesting box style fits in well with a rustic henhouse design.

Image via: littlehouseinthesuburbs

10: Chicken Nesting Box Plans for Coop

These free plans will give you a chicken nest box idea by construct101 for building one box for the coop. One large nesting box with three entry holes will provide a safe spot for hens to lay their eggs.

The DIY nesting box is built on the outside of the hen house with access for the hens from the inside and access for egg gathering on the outside. Keep your shoes clean by staying out of the hen house while gathering eggs with this easy to build design.

Image via: construct101.com

11: Plywood Chicken Nesting Box Plans

Use these detailed plans for building a 3-bay nesting box like this one by lilblueboo for your hens. This design is 3-feet long and 14-inches tall and equally as wide. The size is easy to customize to fit the space in the chicken coop and the egg box is easy to access for egg gathering.

Image via: lilblueboo

12: Coop and Chicken Nesting Box Plans

Follow this detailed tutorial for building a chicken coop and egg boxes like this one by greenwillowhomestead. This chicken nesting box plans will show you how to build the egg box form just one sheet of plywood. It’s a cost-efficient method of creating a safe place for hens to lay eggs and brood (if desired) and provides easy access to the eggs.

The overall chicken coop is large enough to securely house several chickens and the plans are easy to follow.

Image via: greenwillowhomestead

13: Chicken Nesting Box With Fold Down Door

After building the hen house you will need chicken nesting box ideas like this one by myoutdoorplans so you can decide the best egg boxes to use in the coop. This chicken nesting box plan shows you how to build a 3-bay egg box on the exterior of the coop that has a fold-down door for easy egg gathering.

The design is also attractive and is great for use when constructing a hen house that will be in an urban or suburban backyard.

Detail plan at myoutdoorplans

Image via: myoutdoorplans.com

14: Exterior Chicken Nesting Box

Make egg gathering quick and easy when you build this exterior nesting box by storey onto the side of the hen house.

This nesting box idea will keep you out of the coop, keep the nesting boxes cleaner, and give you quick access to the eggs. An exterior chicken nesting box is a time-saver and a money-saver, plus it’s easy to build with these free plans.

Image via: storey

15: Four Bay Chicken Nesting Box

Here is a great design when you have a large flock of hens producing eggs each morning. Hens are not picky about the building material, design, or shape of a nesting box like this one by linnacresfarm, but they can be a little picky about which nesting box they choose to lay their eggs in.

Large flocks of laying hens often have a line of hens in the morning waiting to deposit their eggs in a specific box. Building a DIY nesting box with 4-bays provides more options and may reduce the egg-laying lines in the morning.

Image via: linnacresfarm

16: Cheap Chicken Nesting Box

Chickens are messy and most people want to keep the henhouse construction cost down to a minimum because items have to be cleaned and replaced often. This chicken nesting box plan by kraftykritters00.blogspot will keep both the cost and the labor down.

Use large plastic bowls as nesting boxes inside the chicken coop. The bowls are cheap to buy, easy to clean and cheap to replace.

Image via: kraftykritters00.blogspot

17: Roll Away Chicken Nesting Box

Learn how to build roll away chicken nesting boxes in this YouTube video tutorial that are easy to move for egg gathering and cleaning, plus are easy to roll out of the way as needed.

The YouTube video provides plenty of detailed instructions for this DIY project and offers other important information.

18: Exterior Chicken Nesting Box

Gather eggs the easy way when you build exterior nesting boxes like in this youtube video onto the chicken coop. Quick access to the eggs without having to go into the coop is good for you and will help keep the chickens calm.

Some chicken breeds enjoy human interaction but others are skittish and fearful and dislike human contact. Limit human contact with the hens by using this chicken nesting box plans for an exterior build.

19: Milk Crate Chicken Nesting Boxes

A favorite for many chicken breeders, the standard heavy plastic milk crate egg box on youtube. This YouTube video will show you how to create a streamlined design of several milk crates that will be easy for hens to access and easy for you to gather eggs.

20: External Chicken Nesting Box Plan

If you fail to analyses the chicken nest box size that you need, this type of plan by thegardencoop can work best for you. Basically, you draft the nesting box made from wood and attach it with outside part of the chicken coop. The details are given in the link, yet for overview, have a look:

Plywood sheets ( 19 mm thick)
Lumber pieces
Screws for joining
Hinges
Latches

Other materials – for door, windows paint

Image via: thegardencoop

Attach this gorgeous looking nesting box to your coop not from inside, but from outside, it would look as an additional decor as well as allows extra space to accommodate birds within a coop.

21: Plastic Bucket Chicken Nesting Box

Use this chicken nesting box idea by communitychickens to create cheap and easy to clean nesting boxes for your hens.

The cost of plastic bucket is minimal and chickens love them. Mount the buckets sideways on a frame inside the chicken coop and your hens will be happy to lay eggs.

Image via: comunitychickens

Summary

A good nesting box is necessary if you want your hens to feel safe and lay more eggs. Hens don’t like to lay eggs elsewhere if they find any threats of predators to come and just break the eggs. Each hen likes to lay in their own nesting box so they can gather as many eggs before brooding starts.

Now we have shared with you multiple plans to build your own nesting box. Build the one that you like and suitable for your hens.