When building a chicken coop, it is suggested that you follow the guidelines below for a

successful endeavor.

Element #1. - Appearance and Design:

Sketch out your design on a sheet of paper before you do anything else. Think of the colors
you will paint the roof and chicken coop walls. Always keep in mind that if your chicken coop
is clearly visible to your neighbors, (unless you live in a farm it will most likely be visible to
your entire neighborhood,) it shouldn't ever serve as a distraction or defacement of its
utmost surroundings. So make sure to design an aesthetically looking chicken coop so that
your neighbors do not complain of its detracting appearance. Once finished, always
remember to remove and dispose of any types of garbage or weeds from around your
chicken coop. Try to maintain an appealing landscape around it to enhance its overall
appearance.

Element #2. - Using Sound Judgment:

When designing your chicken coop structure, you must use sound judgment in almost every
aspect of the way.

For instance, you want to use building materials in which the cleaning and disinfecting
procedures will be quick and easy. The doors you install should open inwards, not outwards.
You don't want your chickens roosting on your windows, so it is best to install sliding
windows.

A question many people ask is how to build a chicken coop who's floors are easy to hose
and spray down without much puddling? Well the secret to that is to slightly slope the
flooring toward the door. This way, when you spray out the chicken coop, the water will flow
out, hence solving your puddling problem.

Element # 3. - Protection from Hazardous Elements:

So you want to learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum protection? 
Then listen up.

As you may know, a well built chicken coop will protect your chickens from hazardous
elements such as bad weather (heavy rain, wind, hale, snow, cold climates, etc,) but they
will also protect them from hungry predators, theft and injury.

So how do we accomplish that?

Easy. You want to build a draft free chicken house with windows and doors that can be
opened and closed as needed. Make sure the windows and doors both have proper
screening systems installed in them such as a heavy gage mesh wire. Building the chicken
coop on a high yet well drained area with ensure the least amount of dampness of the coop.
Be sure to build your chicken coop in an area that faces the sun which will help warm and
dry the soil and coop itself after it rains.

To protect your chickens from predators, the best thing to do is to bury your outside runs
with chicken wire all around the coop about 1 foot deep. This will prevent some very hungry
predators such as raccoons, cats and even dogs from digging underneath it.
Strategy # 4. - Coop Ventilation:

You may be wondering how to build a chicken coop that will not only keep your chickens
locked up and protected from bad weather and predators yet receive the proper ventilation
it requires. If so, then you already understand the importance of draft free air movement
from within the coop. Chickens, much like humans, need fresh air and oxygen. The same
goes for the removal of unwanted excessive moisture and carbon dioxide. A chicken coop
with ample air movement and proper ventilation will help remove the ammonia build up and
dampness that may grow inside its walls.

Speaking of walls, the chicken coop walls should have proper insulation installed which will
help keep the chickens dry. As long as chickens are dry, they can handle cold climates very
well, but humidity plus cold weather will cause health issues for your poultry. Therefore,
insulated walls are a must!

Strategy # 5. - Light Source:

If you want a good source of light and warmth for your chickens during the cold months of
the year and a solid source of ventilation during the hot months, then be sure to install the
chicken coop windows facing the southside where they will receive direct sunlight
throughout the day.

On another note, if your goal is to raise chickens that will produce great eggs all year round,
then you should look into an electrical source of light. You should be able to easily install an
electrical light at the height of the chicken coop's ceiling which will help keep your chickens
warm and help them lay better chicken eggs throughout the year. One ceiling light should
be enough for a small scale chicken coop, for larger chicken coops though, try to install one
electrical ceiling light per every 30 - 40 feet.

Strategy # 6. - Conveniently placed Wateres and Chicken Feeders:

Chicken feeders and waterers should be placed where your flock will have easy access to
them. However, you have to becareful where you place them because chickens like to make
a mess of everything they eat due to their chicken scratching instincts. I'm sure you don't
want to see your chicken feed mix all over the coop floors so, to avoid this, place the
chicken feeders at the height of the chicken's back. This way they will have to stretch their
necks up to eat but won't reach the feeders with their feet. Same goes for the waterers.
Just make sure to keep the waterers full of fresh clean water throughout the day.

There you have it folks. 6 quick and easy strategies that will show you how to build a
chicken coop fast and efficiently. Whether you're building a large scale chicken coop or a
small one, these tips should get you moving in the right direction.

Folks, did you know that the average american spends about $300 to build a chicken coop?
Some even invest over 2 months of work trying to assemble the darn structure and in the
end aren't even fully contempt with their product. Not very enticing is it? A great chicken
coop plan can cut your time and efforts in half while saving you a vast amount money on
building materials. To learn how to build a chicken coop with maximum benefits for your
flock without investing a magnitude of your time and money , click here: 
how to build a chicken coop.