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#LOW COST DIY CHICKEN COOP WINDOWS#

Some folks nail down rolled linoleum on top of the wood since it’s so easy to clean and replace. Note that wood can rot and be a home for mites, however.

#LOW COST DIY CHICKEN COOP WINDOWS#

Plywood is easy to cut holes and windows in, providing a backyard flock with plenty of ventilation inside the coop. Plywood is not only relatively cheap but is extremely durable as well. While there are plenty of options regarding the materials a coop can be built from, some options are better than others. Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends using plain, unfinished plywood for the flooring with a nice deep layer of shavings. This coop includes an indoor and outdoor space. Overcrowding in a coop also means a faster fecal matter and bacteria buildup, increasing the chances of parasites or insects entering the coop and making the birds sick.

As well as being structurally sound, a coop will need nesting boxes, roosting bars, space for a feeder and waterer, and vents for air circulation. When you sketch out a plan, it’s important to include these objects so that the chickens still have the space they need. Overcrowding in a chicken coop can lead to a multitude of issues in a backyard flock.įor instance, overcrowding typically causes chickens to fight more, meaning the birds at the bottom of the pecking order will likely have limited access to food and water and may even exhibit cuts and peck marks on their bodies.

How much vertical space you’ll need will depend on your breed, as will other specifications such as door heights and the ideal indoor temperature.

This is important if you keep a winter coop, too, as it gives space for the chickens inside. Experts recommend that you have between 8 and 10 square feet of room per bird if you do not have outdoor range space.

If no outdoor range space is available, chickens should have more room inside the coop to spread out.

Separate from the indoor coop, chickens should have a “run” or outdoor space of at least 4 square feet per chicken for the outside run.

We would advise at least 4 square feet for standard breeds. So, if you have 6 chickens, a 24-square-foot coop provides the right amount of space. According to the University of Georgia, most breeds of chickens require at least 3 square feet of room in a coop per bird if outdoor range space is available.At the same time, you may want your coop near a tree with a high canopy to keep your girls cool in hot weather, or you could always add a shade tarp over the run. Sunlight encourages egg-laying, so ensure the coop isn’t always in the shade. A southern exposure ensures greater warmth and sunlight. Building a coop away from large plants and lots of foliage that could shelter predators will also help to keep a backyard flock safe. Also, according to Oregon State University, building a coop relatively close to one’s home or in a highly trafficked yard area is a wise idea to deter unwanted predators.