Category Archives: Poultry Housing

Green Roof Chicken Coop Plans

The living green roof is more like a structure having an over parking, which is used primarily for management of environmental problems that may arise from time to time. Raising chickens in the backyard is not something new to humanity. It is one of the top growing trends in the urban as well as rural areas. The reason for this might be the profits linked to the sector. Having a normal or a green chicken coop may not be conducive for you at all times, as the normal chicken coop designs come to undermine a number of environmental effectuations in raising backyard chicken. These environmental effects may cause a great deal of damage to the health of the domesticated animals. Furthermore, there are also high chances that the animals might also be exposed to a number of diseases in making use of the normal or poorly made chicken coops. Not to panic, as there are a number of green roof chicken coop plans and chicken coop ideas that provide the solution to all your problems.

green roof chicken

Benefits of Green Roof

Using a green roof is one of the best decisions you are ever going to take for the domestication of the animals. It comes to provide a more breathing space in general and also helps in transforming the entire dull space into something more appealing. Furthermore, it also empowers you to make use of some weather hardy and durable plants of your own choice and also the ones that are advantageous for the health of the animals at all times. They also come to offer thermal insulation for the domesticated animals that are to be kept beneath them. In addition to this, they also come in handy in reducing the effectuations of the urban heat that may have a negative impact over the health of the animals. Every now and then you might have heard that most of the animals kept in the poultry setting die all because of the use of some poor roofs. Here comes the question of how to build a green roof and the top chicken coop designs.

benefits of green roof

Steps in Building a Green Roof and Materials Needed

First of all build the upper portion with some wood retaining edge so that it may hold the plants and animals in place. You can vary the size and height of the edges depending upon the weather and the materials you make us of. You can also secure the corners by using L Brackets which are designed for the purpose of being used in making green roofs. Secondly, spread out the entire weather proof membrane directly on the inside of the roof. Furthermore, make use of some equal portions of sand, gravel and other materials for adding the recommended depth for being used in drainage and related purposes. Also make use of some mulch with the soil for the plants. It is best here that you make use of the plants that can grow best in this setting. Now here it is crucial to note that the roofs having even the slightest of slant might come to facilitate the collection of water. This collection of water can really cause a big problem for the entire structure.

building a green roof chicken coop

Cost Estimate

The costs for building such a roof might vary depending upon the cost of the materials, the payment to be made to the lumbers and also on a number of other factors. If you make use of the materials with the highest levels of quality for a cool chicken coop, then the rough estimate might come to be around $ 400 to $ 500. “But here you can also make use of the green wood which would be useful in lowering down the costs. There are also a number of chicken coop plans which can be used all of which depend on the number of birds to be kept, environmental factors and personal finance are shaping up for such a project.”

6 considerations for building chicken coop nesting boxes

One of the nature’s most prime and useful product can be availed from the use of the nesting boxes. When it comes to the process of raising backyard chicken, numerous dimensions and factors might demand your utmost attention. The eggs that are bought from the stores are quite different from the ones you obtain from the home based settings. The difference between two lies in the coloring mechanisms. The color of the yolk for the eggs grown in the home settings would be more in resemblance to the color of the setting sun at the end of clear cool day, while the yolk color for the eggs produced at the factory settings would be more pale yellowish like a smoggy sun in a hot afternoon.

The reason for which you should prefer to make use of the plans for chicken coop lies in the numerous benefits you would be able to avail later onwards. Almost all of the materials you would need for the coops would be readily available in the ready-made form, so it is evident that there is not much which you would be required to do. In terms of making the most functional chicken nesting boxes, below are the steps and guidelines you would need to consider.

The Number

The prime rule of thumb which can be used here lies in the number of hens you are looking to accommodate in a single nest. Normally, 4 hens won’t mind in terms of sharing a single nesting box among them. The egg laying schedules do vary among the hens, which is the reason for which the chances of the hens fighting each other for the process of egg laying would be the minimal. Moreover, you can also prefer to have two birds in a single nesting box if you have more room.

chicken coop nest box

Chicken Nest Box Size

The bigger the size of the livestock might be, the bigger should be the nesting box for them. If you happen to have a number of species which need to be dealt with, then always prefer to keep the size of the largest female bird in mind at times when you would be purchasing all the required materials. This strategy does come in handy for those who want to obtain some consistent and optimal results from the process of domesticating the birds. In terms of the surrounding areas, only a few inches should be left. In other words, the nesting boxes should be about 12 inches square and at the same time, should be 18 inches deep. If you would give them too much space, then there would be a probability that the birds would prefer to spend an extra amount of time in the nest. There are also a number of other chicken nest box ideas which you might love to consider, so it is always conducive to do your homework in this regard beforehand.

size of chicken coop

 Dimention or setting of nest box

The roof should be marked for its steeply slanted nature or configuration. Otherwise, there are chances that the birds might make use of the roof for the process of roosting. This might lead to the accumulation of some large amounts of coop which will pose a great risk to the health of the animals. At the same time, all other chicken nest box dimensions should be given priority, as the animals might engage in some irrational behaviors if they are not given sufficient accommodation facilities. On an ideal basis, the nest box will have a point of entrance for the hens and would also come to have an access to the egg laying regions which lie at the rare end of the box. The front would be open and at the same time, the back door would remain closed. It would be opened at the time of the egg collection which should always be done at regular basis. This is indeed the ideal set up which you might want to use, but there are some people who never mind in terms of making use of the front door. All these facets must be pondered for the purpose of building chicken nest boxes.

Place

The chickens do love to lay their eggs in the protected regions and spaces. So it is best that the boxes should be hung a few centimeters above the ground, but not too high from the roosting regions. This form of elevation would make it easier for the eggs to be collected.

Bedding Materials

Dried straw and pine shavings might be used for the bedding materials. But here you would need to ensure that the eggs might not be clanged together. It is always conducive to rinse the eggs at regular intervals. The hen nest boxes should also be dealt with utmost care, so that no area might get damaged due to mishandling.

bedding material in nest box

So, now you know how to get the best return on your investment through the use of the most effective chicken nest box design and plan.

Raising Chickens for Dummies

Raising chickens for dummies is quite an easy process, but only if you make use of some expert advice and specialized measures for the betterment of the animals in the farmhouse environment. There are some useful techniques and tips which might come in handy in bringing up chickens in the best manner possible. More or less, the tips I would be sharing you are like the ones that are used in the commercial poultry farms. First things first, so before you go on for buying chickens to be kept in your home or near to your home, you should first make sure whether or not there are certain laws that prevent you from keeping chickens in the home based settings. The good news here is that almost all of the cities in the US are allowed to keep chickens at any place they want. Furthermore, you should know about the chicken feeds and the way they should be given to the animals. One reason for this can be the growing pressure from the side of the public who want to earn some money from the chickens they keep. Below are the steps you need to follow before you buy some chickens for your home or any other setting.

Familiarizing yourself

It is meant here that you must have all forms of information about the chickens you would be keeping. Most of the farmers and poultry house owners do have sound levels of knowledge about the chickens , they keep. At the time of raising the chickens, you should also be able to tell that whether or not the chicken is healthy. In short, in order to know about the exact needs of the chickens, you should keep track about they eat, drink and sleep. The same applies to having an understanding about the chicken’s behaviors, so that you may know in advance about their complex behavioral patterns.

needs of chicken

Knowledge about the different type of Chicken Breeds

As you start to explore the complex world of the type of chicken breeds, you are more likely to find a number of terms which are used for them like hybrids, pure breeds, mixed breed and mutations. In simple, pure breeds are those who are bred to chickens that are similar and have been in the process for generations and generations. Most of the breeds we know these days are in fact hybrid breeds i.e. they are resulted from the crossing of two pure breeds. They come in handy for end use or in other words, they can be used best for a single purpose only. Moreover, both the pure and hybrids can be further categorized as strains. Mutations are the breeds that appear to be different from the breeds they were produced. In other words, they behave in a manner which is quite different from the original breeds. Lastly, mixed breeds in simple are those whose blood lines or ancestry are not known, as they have originated from various breeds. In all, taking care for chickens and all their breeds is crucial.

hybrid chickjen breeds

Number of Chickens and Cost

If you are new in the business, then it is always thoughtful to start out small.  After having some experience with these birds, you would be able to slowly increase the number of chickens you can keep. Even if you are equipped with sound levels of experience, still you would need to go to the larger numbers in steps. As chickens are social animals like us, it is better to start with a minimum of 2 chickens. In terms of cost, you can start a flock with minimal cash of $ 50, unless you do not want to keep some rare and expensive breeds. Furthermore, for saving some money try to share your order with someone at the time of transport and also try to make use of a hatchery for placing the order. You can  use this strategy for raising backyard chickens.

small flock of chicken

Building a Housing System or Chicken Coop for dummies

At the time of buying a chicken coop or making one on your own, you should consider the following factors in mind for building chicken coops for dummies:

  • Shelter from the rain and all changes in weather
  • 24/7 protection from the predators
  • Mechanisms for temperature control
  • Sufficient space for the movement of the chickens
  • Fresh air and optimal levels of lighting
  • Clean surroundings
  • Choosing the right location and material for the coop
  • Always go for the materials that are inexpensive and at the same time sufficient for the protection of the animals
  • Relaxation of the animals
  • Being mindful and equipped with knowledge about the materials

chicken coop

All these tips would really prove to be helpful in keeping chickens for dummies if you are able to follow them strategically.

Chicken Hutch/house Plans for raising chicken and To Reduce Costs

Chicken Hutch Plans Forces You To Reduce Costs

You have to be conscious within the details just in case you need to have a small chicken farm. Organizing is as simple as every means crucial- for the reason for your farming, what chickens to help keep and facilities for breeding them. You’d need chicken hutch plans when you wish to create up very couple of chickens, or perhaps a hen house whenever you have to often more.

Retaining chickens in your backyard can be a satisfying undertaking in alone. You are able to raise flock as decent pets, however you will find also practical as well as dollars. Health- smart, you get from tending your fowls, too. Eggs made by flock within your miniature barn are go ahead and nicer as well as much healthier than individuals you buy in the supermarket. Chicken meat can also be among the most delicious and best meat on the planet.

Whenever you intend on taking care of flock inside a backyard barn, you mainly should have an agenda, particularly for his or her housing. A chicken hutch is obviously a higher priority inside your endeavor. When creating your personal chicken hutch, you’re able to reduce costs. Establishing your personal chicken housing will make you better keep an eye on and make sure the standard from the assets as well as equipment you employ, as well as specifically the entire structure ultimately.

Lots of people prefer creating a chicken hutch as opposed to a hen house. A chicken hutch could be sufficient, particularly if you are planning to help keep just one or perhaps two chickens. A chicken hutch is easier and fewer pricey to construct. You’ll be able to possess a chicken hutch built inside a hen house when you would like or perhaps will have to also.

If possibly you are a newcomer with regards to taking care of flock, a hutch is a better selection for you at this time.

Oftentimes, chicken houses are purchased in flat pack format, in addition to all you need to perform is assemble the portions. Within this sense, you wouldn’t need distinctive expertise for the chicken hutch plans and creating your chicken housing.

Before establishing your chicken hutch, you will need thorough studying in addition to sticking to directions. Adhering for the recommendations tends to make you have produced a reliable dwelling place for your chicken pets.

For the chicken hutch plans, consider exactly how in addition to wherever you are likely to place the framework. Keep your primary building from the chicken hutch over the floor. This can guarantee that you just avoid concerns of moist as well as rot while you tend for the backyard chicken farm. Keep in mind that chickens will not react effectively to moist- they might get sick under this type of conditions.

Then, possible potential predators. Have them in your mind when devising your chicken hutch plans. Try that potential predators for example snakes in addition to rats can’t or perhaps will fight to get underneath the fence or perhaps chicken wire that encloses your chicken. An answer for this can be to search the footing from the chicken run one feet in to the ground. Or perhaps you may make it as being deep as might be whenever you may be not able to burrow with this level.

Include appropriate sized entrance doors inside your chicken hutch plans for that chickens to possess easy entry. A really small entrance can make it hard for the fowls to go into in addition to out. A bigger door utilizing a wooden door flap is great for housing your chicken.

Consider a simple opening cover cleaning functions. It is crucial that you simply cleanup the hutch regularly (each week) since the area just is not so large. Otherwise, troubles when discussing your flock can come up.

More males and ladies are choosing to nurture chickens, as well as for several great grounds. Stocking flock in your backyard tends to make you best assured from the wellness as well as safety of the self and your family members according to the chicken meat and convey that which you consume. Apart from the effectiveness of having readily available chicken eggs in addition to meat for consumption, that’s.

Together with your determination to produce a yard barn for raising flock, it’s suggested that you simply provide the most effective type of chicken housing facility. This is an investment of your time, effort and assets that you simply cannot overlook. Over time, establishing a dependable chicken hutch could make you save money on costs, particularly for maintenance within the a long time.

Preston Blackmore is definitely an organic gardening and farming enthusiast. If you want to understand much more about Chicken hutch plans go to http://chickens.organicgardeningfarming.com/chicken-hutch-plans-will-make-you-save-on-costs/.