Is it difficult to build your own chicken coop in your backyard? If you are good with hand tools and able to read a building plans, it is actually quite easy.

When you decide to raise free range chickens by allowing them to wander freely you must be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of it. Then you should compare the advantages over the disadvantages.

By compelling forces if you allow chickens to roam freely and leave them to feed themselves it is just like permitting them to live in surroundings that is similar to their natural living. May be sometimes you do not even pick the eggs or kill and eat them, but still it is free range. The main reason for allowing free range chickens to roam freely is chickens living on vegetable matters are more healthy and having better eggs.

Comparatively the meat and eggs of free range chickens are better than that of factory raised chickens. The reason for this is particularly due to their natural living by which they feed on greens, worms and other bugs. So there is no chance of any kind of chemicals entering into their system.

Chickens raised for business purposes usually grow fast within six weeks by feeding on rich food and produce large eggs. These types of chickens are raised in limited surroundings without getting proper exercises or even adequate sunlight. As a result their eggs and meat are tasteless and often become a subject of debate on their adverse effects on human body.

When you are raising free range chickens on vegetation you would have to consider many things. The prime thing is that you must feed them full of grains that are original without containing any chemical contents. Prior to feeding, you can prepare a mixed organic feed taking utmost care that it does not contain any impurities.

Another important factor for raising free range chickens is the amount of space provided for them to roam. They prefer to wander searching their own food instead of feeding on the whole grains or premixed organic feed you give them. So it is important to have a wide area for them to forage for sufficient food.

Unfortunately if you do not have enough space, but you are particular about raising free range chicks you keep only a few number of birds. For growing free range chickens, a space of 12 to 15 square feet is ideal for each chicken. Moreover a qualified free range bird should spend two hours or more outside every day. The more hours would be better.

Another important consideration you should take when raising chickens is not to expose them to any kind of danger. Danger means it can be any form of extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, high temperature etc.

Also beware of dangers from possibility of other animals which prey on the chickens such as foxes, snakes, raccoons and hawks. In order to protect them from the harsh weather conditions the chicken coop should have proper shielding to keep them indoors comfortably.

To keep them safe against predator, construct a boundary wall of the chicken run with wire mesh having at least one foot underground and the top also covered with wire mesh strongly.

To build anything is a challenge, more so if what you’re contemplating to construct is a chicken coop. But that doesn’t mean that you’re not going to succeed in your sincere endeavors to build a chicken housing.

In fact, raising chickens is one of the best options you can try these days. While on one hand you can stop relying on outside sources for eggs when you have your own coop, you can also be sure that what you get are “healthy” eggs, on the other. Not to forget the fact that chickens also turn out to be terrific pets, enabling you to derive a lot of pleasure during your free time.

What is of utmost importance is the need to ensure that the chicken coop you plan to build works to a perfect plan so that you’ve a good home as the end product. It’s imperative to bear in mind that it is in the coop you build the chickens are going to do everything, from remaining healthy and safe to laying eggs.

If you think buying a coop that is already prefabricated is a better choice than building one, it means you’re thoroughly mistaken and carry a wrong notion. When you plan how to build your coop, you enjoy several advantages, primary among them being building it to suit your brood of chickens.

More than anything, you’re going to save a substantial amount of money when you build a chicken coop than preferring to purchase one. Having said that, you must also be sure that you don’t commit the common mistakes which many others generally come across when building a chicken coop.

A perfect plan, an ideal sketch on your proposed design, collection of right materials, selecting the proper place, and being patient are the five important factors that are going to determine if you’re going to emerge successful in your efforts to construct a chicken coop. Any failure on your part to strictly adhere to these conditions may destroy your plans, and lead to inaccuracy.

That’s why it’s very important to gain the right kind of tips and advice before you actually venture out with your ideas to build a chicken coop. To start with, make sure that you plan things well in advance so that you’re not found wanting in the critical moment.

For instance, you must know well in hand how many chickens are going to be accommodated in your coop, the size of the chickens, the number and size of nests you propose to have in the coop, and how you wish to feed your flock of friends.

Once you find answers to such vital questions you can set the process rolling toward building a coop that you dream about. Similarly, having a clear design to implement your thoughts will prove quite effective. You really don’t have to be a professional to draw the various angles of your coop in the first place.

Remember, it’s wise to have a simple design initially because that leaves you with the scope of improving your coop at a later stage through redesigning. Having all the materials required for the job at your disposal is critical to carrying on the construction of a chicken coop without any interruption.

Ensure that you select the best place available for building your coop. Remember, chickens require sufficient space to move around, which means you must locate the coop in a reasonably spacious area, where enough sunlight and shade can be guaranteed. Above all, it’s very important for you to remain patient from the word ‘go’ if you’re really keen to complete the project according to a plan.

As a general principle those who wish to maintain any pet animals should ensure that they are easily domesticated and are properly controlled. The same principle holds good even for maintaining pet chickens.

As all chicken breeds are not alike, it is important to choose a breed that is submissive in preference to the aggressive type and those that are averse to captivity. A pet chicken may not in all instances prove to be a good layer of eggs or even give a high-quality meat.

Most chicken breeds are generally small. The Rhode Island reds or whites will yield good quality eggs and are useful as pets because of their affable nature towards humans. It is essential to be aware that their fowls are habitually very belligerent and therefore should be avoided unless one can tolerate their aggression.

Except for their roosters, this breed is the ideal option as they are large and highly productive in laying eggs and therefore will ensure a constant supply of eggs in addition to serving as nice pets.

The Sussex breed is another excellent breed to serve as pets, particularly among backyard groups. It is tough, can withstand hostile conditions and become accustomed to confined places quite easily. The other breed that likes confinement is the Silkie and children are fond of its feathery features.

Apart from this, they like being touched and also do not object to breeding other birds’ chickens. A few chickens may be very beautiful in appearance, but may not be so pleasant. Another breed in this category is Wyandotte, which lay brown eggs.

The Polish breed is very attractive to watch with their striking tuff of feathers on their head. They are very amiable breed and lay very white eggs. As this breed can easily adjust to confined locations, they can be quite suitable as pets.

Another admired breed is the Plymouth Rock, which are known to be very affable and have attractive features. They are black in color with white stripes and lay brown eggs. They can be easily domesticated. Jersey Giant is an exceptional breed that is most suitable as pet. Although very large, Jersey Giant is very quiet and makes very good mother.

Their large build is an indication of the size of the eggs they lay. They are the largest known chicken breed and lay the largest brown chicken eggs. Another variety of breed is Cochins, which is very attractive and lays large brown eggs. Like Jersey Giant, it is also mild-mannered and can be a good mother.

Not only that, it is widely used for bird shows. Most of the chickens are generally suitable as very good pets. However, for the sake of chicks who may like to be very near their mother birds, it is essential to select a few of the friendly breeds that do not repel if baby birds touch them.

All fowls will be very gentle till their hormones start functioning and once they begin fighting and become so aggressive that baby birds cannot handle them. Moreover, Rooster will crow at the top of its voice at the beginning of dawn every day and those who cannot withstand that shrill sounds should not opt for them as pet chickens.