Tips To Consider Before Building Chicken Pens And Coops
In these times of economic hardship, most people have comprehended with the idea of raising chicken. It is a good way of being a little more self-sufficient. Unluckily, most people jump into the idea of raising chicken without further research. They further build chicken pens on their own only to find out frustrating truths about chicken rearing. Before spending any cent in building chicken pens, one should consider various factors.
First, one should determine the best position for placing the chicken pen. The pen should not be placed close to the main house as with time the pen produces some foul smell. There should be sufficient sunlight for the birds and not too much of it. One should also consider the yearly seasons when positioning the pen. You find that during winter, we have the north wind, which can freeze the birds. A good position is one major factor to success when raising chicken.
Secondly, one should determine whether it is possible to have full access of the pen especially when it requires cleaning. It should be in a position where one can bring water and food with ease. A good pen should have a shelter to protect the chicken from rain. If the pen is left without a shelter and it happens to rain, one would wake up the next day to find all the chicken dead. This is very frustrating especially after spending so much money.
When building chicken pens there are two alternatives to consider. One can build it in a garage/workshop or on-site. The best option is the pen built on- site because once a person is done with it then it is ready for use. For the pen built in the workshop or garage, one has to be aware how the pen will be taken out of the garage every day considering its size and weight.
When a person decides to keep chicken, he or she should also know other factors like the different types of chicken. Some hates each other. Some hens are slow in their pecking order and must wait for others to eat thus having nothing left. It is therefore good to plan well before buying them.
Always remember to place the pen where mice, snakes and rats cannot access. Predators like raccoons can also rip off your chicken. Have a sturdy chicken pen with screened windows for protection. For those who wish to increase the number of chicken, it is good to plan and get a larger space.
With proper planning and good building plans, one can enjoy a great time raising chicken. Proper chicken house plans provides gradual instructions in building affordable chicken pens. Of course many people prefer to look for kits for the pens or buy chicken coops.
Filed under Gardening by .