Friday, September 30, 2011

Developing Your Materials List for Constructing Your Chicken Coop

Look, let's convey it like it is; there are choices out there that do not require you to construct your chicken coop. Pre-built chicken houses of all types from any number of companies are available for purchase in the marketplace. When you think on it though this new-found hobby of caring for chickens was your personal decision, and with that decision, the desire to get directly involved in the venture from the ground level up. After all, there is a certain feeling of gratification in getting involved at that level. And when you glimpse at the whole picture and begin to focus in on the yield of your self-gratification efforts -- a regular batch of freshly laid organic eggs -- you just may wish to reduce your project costs where you can and start looking at materials for constructing the project yourself.

In mulling over the list of chicken coop materials needed for your project, don't discount what you may already have leftover from past undertakings. More so than you could imagine, coops of all types have been put together from a hodgepodge of odd materials which is a part of the allurement of getting into this past time.

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However, should you find yourself without of the blessing of having leftovers, it's time to bite the bullet and go on over to your local Lowes. And in so doing here is where you need to be mindful in putting together your list. Undoubtedly your plan is to construct an inexpensive chicken coop, however resist the temptation of buying inferior materials. Speak to any seasoned veteran and they will advise you -- take the cheap route and you're going to be back there in short order purchasing replacement pieces.

Let's glance at the materials for your list:

Board Lumber/Plywood: Board lumber, 2x4 or 2x3, are your best bets for framing up your undertaking. For flooring joists, boards that are 2x6 are recommended, and if you wish to raise your project off the ground, corner posts that are 4x4 are recommended. And whenever it's time to trim, 1x4s will conclude your framing. Plywood, treated for water proofing as will all of your wood selections, will serve as wall material for your undertaking as well as the ground material of your roofing to which shingles will be affixed.

Wire for Fencing: Wire fencing affixed between posts will make the circumference of your chickens' yard. This is referred to as a "run", their outdoor place to bask in the sunshine and suck up fresh air. It also serves as their fortification from the advances of predators, therefore selecting the right grade of fencing is crucial. Of the many choices, the general consensus is that a heavy grade mesh is the best selection in protection against the broad array of marauder types. And it would be a really sound suggestion to take the added time and effort to string the mesh across the top to protect against those that climb and those that soar.

Windows: The advice is to frame in a minimum of one window, one foot square, for each ten feet square of coop area. Windows are important for bringing natural light into your hen house as well as allowing a source of refreshing air flow for your birds.

Insulation: It will get hot in your hen house in the months of summertime and bitterly frigid in the dead of winter. Your chickens' body will respond most effectively in between 40 and 85 degrees, hence temperature control in their house is no minor matter. Construct into your undertaking sufficient insulation for keeping your flock healthy year round.

Well, that ought to provide you a roadmap for getting your materials list together. Remember, you are going to require a plan, an easy to follow guidebook, to assist you in keeping your project moving onward and on course.

Developing Your Materials List for Constructing Your Chicken Coop

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