DIY Chicken house - design ideas please.

[Annpan]

So..

I know this has come up about a million times before in this forum but I couldn't find the relevent posts for it, then I came across all the nasty things that were being said a while back and I decided to stop looking.


I have acquired a large amount of random bits and pieces of wood, some big ply wood bits, some battons, and loads of bits inbetween. I'd like to use this wood to build a chicken house, I am sure I have enough, but I am not sure where to start.

I plan on having the birds free ranging sometimes, though at other times I was hoping to be able to pop them in a pen on my veg bed and let them work away.

What is an ideal base for a chicken house?
What is an ideal internal dimensions, for a dozen birds (eventually, though we will start with 2 or 3)?
Should I have it raised up on stilts, I was thinking 2' off the ground?
What size should nest boxes be and how many do I need?

I hadn't realised that I had so many questions

Does anyone have pictures of home made coups?

[Thurston Garden]

I would not like to be quoted on dimensions but have a bought house suitable for 12/15 birds - it really depends on the size of breed you will be keeping. The bought house is probably 3ft by 4ft or thereby. There's 3 nest boxes. The perches are about 18" from the floor.

Ventilation is an important part - I have 2 bought garden sheds as hen houses and 8*6' and a 12*6' - in each I popped some of the windows out and covered with chicken wire to ensure good ventilation.

If possible, avoid felting the roof - it's where the dreaded red mites hide during the day. The best product is onduline a preformed corrugated material which also resolves the ventilation problem as the peaks on the corrugation allow the air through the house.

I might get struck off the forum for providing this link, but there's loads of tips/chat/photos here

Raising it up off the ground is a good idea - lets cats under and reduces the chance of the dreaded rats living there. If you can raise it say 3ft off the ground and fence on two or three sides it would provide a great sheltered area plus addition run space (this would also lift the height of the nest boxes saving both knees and back!).

[ina]

This reminds me that I have lent out a great book with loads of plans of poultry houses... Mmh, have to ask my boss tomorrow to get it back! Can't even remember what it is called - so I can't really recommend it!

[Camile]

Hello,

The dimensions I used for the base are simply a pallette.

You can find some with nice floors, or use a standard one and cut some plywood the size of it.

Then I would screw some ply on the sides and front .... then add some reinforcement with whatever timber your have.

It becomes really sturdy, and can be dismantled to easily move it if needs be.

And you can stack it up on another 1 or 2 pallets then happy days !

Camile

[Annpan]

Thanks muchly everyone.

I was planning on using a pallet, I have just such a strong and solid one which would make a loverly base, as for having it raised off the ground, I was thinking of putting it up on stilts and then it can be a good shelter, especially if I decide to have the ladies penned in.

I don't have loads of free time just now though, so I will coble something together when my own house has walls.

Another question, should the nest boxes always hang outside the main coop? like an extension, with a seperate lid?

[red]

we made ours out of an old garden shed and some pallet wood. seems to be working fine.

[Thurston Garden]

If the nest boxes are external, they are easier to access, but depending on the lid/hinge arrangement, can be difficult to waterproof. Wet nest boxes aint good.

I have one house with external nest boxes but keep table birds in it - they are killed at 14/18 weeks so don't lay eggs. My layers have internal next boxes, but they are in the converted sheds so access is very easy - just open the door and walk in to collect the eggs.

Small houses tend to have external ones, but try and avoid felt or such like as a covering - harbour for red mite as mentioned above!

How about searching the t'internet for a good poultry housing book and get your library to get it in. I make our library staff work for a living hehe - I honestly think they appreciate doing something different and stocking books of a more unusual nature!

[ina]

I make our library staff work for a living hehe - I honestly think they appreciate doing something different and stocking books of a more unusual nature!

Depends on where you are; in Aberdeen I had to pay 50p for each book request - and then you didn't always know whether the book was any good! Here in Aberdeenshire it's free.

[Thurston Garden]

Free here tae, but an inter-library loan (from another Council is £1).

[ina]

Free here tae, but an inter-library loan (from another Council is £1).

Ah yes - haven't tried that one yet.