There are a few elements that need to be taken into serious consideration before you can make a decision about the measurements of the chicken coop that will be sufficient for your requirements.
Space
Before proceeding, it is important to know:
- how much space you have available?
- how much it cost?
- Where you live?
- Do you have access to a huge number of acres where you can produce your own food?
- Or do you simply have a backyard where you may do so?
It is more common for people to construct chicken coops in their backyards if they reside in areas where they have access to a substantial number of acres. This pattern is becoming increasingly prevalent in regions where people have access to substantial swaths of land. In order for any chicken to be considered appropriate for human consumption, it is essential that it fulfill all of the following requirements:
- 3 to 4 square feet per chicken in the coop (minimum)
- 10 square feet per chicken in the run
- 250 square feet for free range chickens.
(If you have no idea about the square feet then you may do so by using our free Calculator Square Feet).
City and/or County Ordinances
It is crucial that you check this information with either the city or the county in order to avoid falling afoul of any rules or regulations that may be imposed by either of those institutions. If you do not verify this information, you run the risk of violating any of those rules or regulations.
In addition to the many limits that may be imposed, there is a potential that there may be size or height constraints. These requirements may or may not be enforced. It is against the law to keep chickens as pets in certain areas, therefore if you live in one of such cities, you probably won’t be allowed to.
Number of Chickens
We have been informed that the raising of chickens as pets in our neighborhood does not violate any of the local regulations in any way. We are now able to establish the maximum number of birds that we are able to keep since we are aware of the quantity of room that is needed by each chicken. There is a lot of credence behind the idea that you should have at least three hens in your backyard.
As a direct consequence of this, we have reason to believe that it would be beneficial for us to buy four chickens. On average, the number of chickens that are kept in a backyard range from four to ten birds. However, this number may range anywhere from two to twenty.
This is something you should keep in mind if you are adding anything to a number. The overwhelming majority of individuals who keep hens in their backyards have the opinion that doing so is an activity that brings them a great deal of happiness. If you take the necessary precautions to ensure that everything is in working condition from the very beginning, you should have the same satisfying experience that everyone else has.
Size of the Coop
Our hen house must have a minimum floor area that is anything from 12 to 16 square feet in size. The size of the run must be at least forty square feet in total since this is a requirement. It would need fifty-two to fifty-six square feet of room for you to keep four chickens, assuming you kept them in a cage. It is necessary to have a space that is around 10 feet in width and 6 feet in length for this.
Before making a final decision, you should first evaluate the space that is currently available on your land if you want to expand the number of animals in your flock. (If you have no idea about the square feet then you may do so by using our free Calculator Square Feet). If there is sufficient room, you may then proceed with your original plan. The amount of space that is made available to your hens throughout the day is a crucial consideration to take into account when making the decision about whether or not to provide them access to free-range during the day.
Safety
Is the area where your hens wander (the coop and the run, if you have one) free from any predators or other animals that could be interested in eating your chickens? There is a danger to your chicks’ life posed by canines, raccoons, and other animals that will dig through the fence in order to get to your young chickens. You have to give some thought to burying the fence so that you can stop harmful creatures from tunneling under it. They won’t be able to hide behind the fence while they dig because of this change.
It is strongly suggested that you give some serious thought to the possibility of laying a foundation made of concrete below the limit of the fence. Always check to see that there is at least a two-and-a-half foot gap between the bottom of your coop and the ground below it. This is an important safety measure to take. This offers a range of benefits, one of which is the possibility of providing shade for your hens on days when the temperature is fairly high.
Purchasing a Kit
There is a diverse selection of coops available, each of which has a distinctive plan for the building’s structure and a unique set of dimensions. You have the choice of erecting for yourself a straightforward home in the form of a rectangle, or you can go all out and have a really stylish home that has an excellent architectural style. Rather of physically cutting the wood, you may want to consider about obtaining a “Kit” rather than doing the task on your own. This will save you time and effort.
If you do not want to retain more than four or six hens, it may be to your best financial advantage to purchase a “kit” rather than grow chickens on your own from hatching eggs.
