You have decided to build a coop for your chickens and thought you would try your hand at this project. To build a chicken coop the first thing you should do is decide what size and what type of materials you will need. If you do not have many chickens smaller will work however, if you have a lot of chickens, a larger house will definitely be in order.

Take a piece of paper and draw the general outline of what you think you would like to build. Is it going to be just a square or rectangular building? Is it going to be easily seen by others in the neighborhood? Does it need to have more than one room? There are many plans available for building chicken coops. The Internet is one place that you can find just about any type of building plans you need.

Think the project through. The materials you choose should be conducive to cleaning. The harder the coop is to clean the more work it will require from you - so why not make it as easy as possible? The floors are one aspect. Either build them at a slight angle so they will be easy to spray off and allow for drainage or build the chicken coop on a cement slab that is angled for drainage in the middle.

If you are going to have chickens, a protective building is essential. Not only does it allow your chickens to have a place to go but it can also keep them safe from many elements that could prove harmful. Storms, cold weather, snow and predators are just a few of the dangers lurking.

The first thing to consider when building chicken coops is the sturdiness and strength. You will want it to be as air tight as possible. This is where the proper fit of windows and doors is extremely important. They should open and close properly with no gaps so the chickens are safe once they are inside.

When you build (a) chicken coop you will need an outside area for the chickens. This is where the use of chicken wire that is buried will come in handy. The wire needs to be in the ground about a foot to keep animals from burrowing underneath. This will help to protect your chickens from predators that will come calling after dark.

Insulate the walls you are building so this will help keep the chickens dry. This is essential if you want your chickens to remain healthy. The cold does not bother them nearly as much as the dampness. With proper ventilation for fresh air, the odor will not be as bad and the chickens will be protected from the elements when the weather is bad.

Another element to consider when building chicken coops is the necessity for light and warm temperatures. This is especially true if you want your chickens to lay eggs all year. The source of light and warmth should be electrical. The number of lights you use will depend on the size of the chicken coop. A small coop should only need one light however, if you have a larger one, a light can be installed approximately every 40 feet. Placement of the lights on the ceiling will be fine. 

The front of the chicken coop should face east so the sun shines on it to keep it warm. After a rain, this will also help to dry it so the dampness does not cause the chicken coop to harbor mold and mildew. A slight incline to build the coop on will also allow it to drain easier. 

When you are building the chicken coop, make sure you include the perches and nesting areas so they will have somewhere to lay the eggs. This should be about midway up between the floor and the ceiling. It makes it easier to collect the eggs and the chickens can get to their nesting area without a problem.

Building chicken coops does not have to be a difficult project. If you have the materials, the plans and the time you can build a chicken coop in a weekend. This is a good project for you and your friends. Get them all together with their tool belts and know how and you will have a chicken coop together and waiting for chickens in no time.