How to Build a Chicken Coop

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By angeladawn
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(8 Ratings)

Chickens are so much fun!

Are you thinking about getting some chickens? Then you need a chicken coop. If you don't know how to build one, you came to the right place. I am going to tell you step by step how to build one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Wood, Screws, Screw Gun, Netting, Chicken Wire, Crowbar or stick, Heavy Duty Staple Gun

Step 1

First let’s go over what you will need to build it.

1. Posts and a pair of post hole diggers. You can use smaller posts for the fence and you will also need 4 – 4 x 4 posts to build the center frame. Get some scraps of wood some preferably 4 feet long to build the fence. You don’t have to get fancy.

2. Some netting of your choice.

3. Chicken wire and wire cutters.

4. Screws and a screw gun.

5. A crow bar (or just a long stick will do.)

6. A heavy duty staple gun (not a regular one)

9. Some kind of shelter that they can go under to get out of rain and such. Maybe you have an old dog house lying around.
Step 2

You will need a clear area that's easy to get to. Decide how big you want your coop and mark where you are going to put the posts for the fence. Put the posts approximately four feet apart and cut them approximately four feet high.
Step 3

Now take your post hole diggers and dig a hole a little bit bigger than your posts and keep the dirt. When you are done put in your posts and pack the dirt around the posts tamping it down with your crowbar or a stick. Pack it in tight and the posts should be good and secure. You could use cement but that adds to the cost and it is not entirely mother earth friendly.
Step 4

Once you have your posts up take boards and screw them horizontally from post to post. Three rows should be sufficient. Be sure and make a doorway so you can get in and out to feed and water your chicks. Once you have finished the fence area move to the middle and dig and insert four more posts in the configuration of a square. These posts should be about twice as high as the posts you used for your fence. Then across the top of the tall posts, lay wood from beam to beam forming a square around the top of the posts.
Step 5

Now you throw your net over the tall posts stretching the netting out to the sides of the fenced area. Use the stapler and secure the net to the fence. Make sure your net is nice and secure. This should keep the predators out. Now you are ready for the chicken wire. Cover the fence on the outside from the top of the fence to the ground with the chicken wire and staple it in place. Go around the whole fence with chicken wire.
Step 6

Now make sure the chickens have a shelter to get in if it rains. You can build a small box or get as elaborate as you want to. It takes only a half a day to get it set and that is where the fun begins. You can now know the joy of watching your chickens grow and as a side benefit enjoy their eggs.