Chicken Coop Kits

Building the right chicken coop requires the right skills, enough time and patience. You must have a good knowledge regarding the requirements of the birds, to make a perfect chicken coop. Apart from that, you have to conduct a detailed study as to the right materials and the right way of construction. Most people do not have enough time or the right information for making a chicken coop. Your problem can be solved by ready made chicken coop kits, which are available in the market. Even the Internet is flooded with various types of chicken coop kits along with chicken house construction plans. You can either purchase one from the market or place an order online. You may have to search a little for the perfect one which meets your requirements.

What are Chicken Coop Kits?

Chicken coop kits are nothing more than a package of pre-drilled panels and accessories, meant for building a chicken coop. All you have to do is to assemble the parts. There is no need of measuring, sawing or drilling. There are various types of chicken coop kits available. The most common among them are the movable coop kits, mid-sized coops and premium chicken coop kits. The movable ones are smaller in size and are meant for baby chicks along with two or three adult chickens. The advantage with these kits is that they can be shifted from one place to another. It spares you from pondering over the perfect place for keeping the chicken coop. Movable chicken coop kits are considered to be the best for beginners.

Mid-sized coops can accommodate around six to eight adult birds. If your requirement is to yield a substantial amount of eggs, then you have to opt for this type of chicken coop, which is larger than the movable one. This chicken coop provides adequate running space and proper nesting area for the birds, which is necessary for optimum output. You have to be careful while selecting the place for positioning the chicken coops. Those who want to keep chickens on a commercial basis, i.e. for selling eggs, premium chicken coop kits meant for more than 10 to 15 birds are the best option. This can be perfect for those who possess a backyard or a farm.

Tips to Choose the Right Chicken Coop Kit

As a wide range of chicken coop kits are available in a variety of styles and various hen house designs, and you may face some difficulty in selecting the right one for you. There are many factors, which have to be considered while selecting a chicken coop kit. The following tips can help you in this task.

• The first and foremost is your requirement. The chicken coops must be of the right size, so as to accommodate the number of birds you plan to keep. If you want to grow some special chicken breeds with special requirements, you have to take such factors into consideration. Every chicken must have at least 4 square feet of space in the coop. You cannot stuff the birds in the coop, as it can be detrimental for the healthy growth of the birds. It is always better to go for a larger chicken coop, if you have plans of future expansion.
• Another important factor is the right place for keeping the chicken coop. Your garden can be the best place, provided it receives sufficient sunlight. The chicken coop must get enough sunlight, as it is good for the health of the birds and for a high production of quality eggs. It will be better if the coop is located on a high surface. The place should not be easily accessible to predators, like hawks, coyotes, cats, foxes, etc. In some places, you have to seek the permission of the authorities for any construction, which takes up more than 50% of the garden. Make sure that you obtain the required permission beforehand.
• The third factor deals with the chicken coop features. It should be easy to clean, as faulty designs and arrangement can make it difficult for you to clean the coop. The coop must have a sloped floor, which makes it easier for you to clean, as the water will flow out on its own. Ventilation is very important for the birds and doors and windows with sliding doors are useful. If the doors are made of wire mesh, make sure that it cannot be damaged by animals. It is always better to go for safe and strong doors. Another important point is lighting. You must opt for a chicken coop kit which provides electrical light fittings. Apart from providing light, it can also be a source of heat for the birds during the winters.

You have to compare the various types of chicken coop kits available in the market, as per your requirements. Compare the price and features and invest on the best one, which you think is fit for your chickens.