To start your own little chicken farm, a chicken coop kit can be quite beneficial for the overall health and vigilance of your farm. There are some kits which are available with all the accessories including the paint brush, but it then depends upon your ability with a saw.

Choosing Your Kit

The size of your chicken coop depends upon the number of hens you want to keep in the farm, a standard 4’x4’ is sufficient for three to four hens of normal size. The space required by an adult chicken is about four square feet, you can yourself calculate the area by multiplying the number of feet (Four by Four =16 square feet).

There should be plenty of space for chickens to move and exercise, sunlight too is very important for the overall health of chickens, hence chicken run should be attached to the coop. Most kits available do not have run included, you may purchase it separately or add it yourself with some good wire, once you have purchased the chicken coop kit, you must closely pay attention to the specification.

Sometimes space which is not usable for the chickens is also included in the measurement, the same is true for our homes also as living space does not include measurements of bathrooms and closets. You must see the quality of wood to be used, pressure treated wood which is termite proof is suitable for the coop, if you want to have run, never use run which is made of chicken wire as it will expose your chickens to predators, who can easily break the wire and harm your chickens.

Beginning The Project

You must count all the items once the shipment of kit arrives at your place, match it with manifest, many people do not bother to check it and cannot complete the kit because the some of the parts are missing. This will also help you to complete the coop without any headache.

Now you must decide the place in your yard which is well protected to position your chicken coop. Even Portable “chicken tractors” need a place where it can be parked in case of bad weather. All the living things require sunshine, so does chickens, but care has to be taken to have proper shade also in case of extreme heat.

Both extreme heat and extreme cold conditions are bad for the chickens; you have to provide protection in both the cases. Next is the protection from predators, simple locks or small bolts cannot protect your chickens from raccoons, these creatures are very smart and clever to smell the chickens.

Use good locks and bolts for the protection of your chickens. Many people have hobby of keeping chickens as pets, chickens are not only good pets but also lay eggs which you can enjoy with your family members. Children and first timers are quite excited to see these beautifully feathered birds in their homes. Always give proper space to your chickens and see that this small step will give you lot of fun and enjoyment.