Simple Chicken Coop Designs With Terrific Predator Protection

Starting a small farm in your yard can be quite exciting but planning is definitely essential. Thanks to technology allowing us access to a wealth of information, backyard farming has become accessible to everyone. You can easily research chicken coop designs, plans and even techniques on the internet with a quick search.\

Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or > make an ox in two days. -- Henri Alain

Having fresh eggs every morning is a dream that you can easily make a reality. All you need is a small flock of hens! And of course, you also need to provide them with proper shelter.

The key to a good coop is the design. If you are planning to create building plans for a chicken coop it's important that the coop you design fits the space you plan to put it in. The next thing you should consider is ventilation, a coop that has little or no ventilation is a breeding ground for all sorts of diseases. Remember, one sick bird can easily contaminate the rest of the flock.

Here are simple chicken coop designs you may want to use for inspiration when building a home for your new flock:

Chicken Tractor Design

Portable chicken coop designs

This coop, at most, consumes about 42 square feet of space. It is great if you have a very small area to work with. It is bottomless, making it a lot easier to maintain because cleaning is not an issue. You can simply move the coop to another space and the flock's waste becomes your soil's fertilizers, serving a double purpose. Its simple design means that if you are building a chicken coop for 6 chickens this one provides a lot of ventilation for the flock, and contrary to what you may think -- the space is enough for at least 6 birds.

Small Traditional Coop

Non-portable chicken coop designs

This type of coop is most ideal for people who are just starting out. It can house up to a flock of ten and is very easy to access, which is something you want if your goal is to collect eggs easily. This is possible via separate door access to the nesting boxes. It is well-ventilated thanks to the large mesh windows. The slanted roofing allows rainwater to slide off the coop providing the flock with protection. For this kind of coop, fencing is essential to keep predators out especially if your home is in an area with lots of wildlife. You want to be able to allow your chickens to move around safely, having them locked up in a confined space for a long period of time may affect egg production.

Simple Walk-In Coop

Modern structured, extra large chicken coops that cover a total of 120 square feet of space or more. 18 square feet are dedicated to an indoor space for nesting and shelter, whereas 102 square feet allow the flock to roam. With this design, you don't need extra fencing at all. The protruding nesting box allows easier egg collection. With chicken coop designs this big, it's much more convenient for owners to clean up within the space. The only concern with this is that it is not portable, and you cannot move it easily unlike the tractor or smaller types. \

Walk-in Chicken coop designs

Even simple chicken coop designs need certain accessories. You can purchase these chicken coop accessories from your local farm supply store or even online! Here is a list of things you need:\

1. Bedding for the floor. 2. Fencing around the perimeter of the coop. 3. Treadle feeder for the feed. 4. Water container. 5. Straw for the nesting box. 6. A run or ladder for your chicken to access the shelter.

Raising chickens in urban areas has become such a trend that there are dozens of backyard farms popping up everywhere. Aside from planting produce, raising chickens is quite popular. Most keep it simple, merely assembling left-over wood together to make a simple chicken coop. It doesn't have to be the **best chicken coop **as long as the coop provides the flock with shelter, everything should be in order. But who says your coop has to be boring? With design ingenuity, you can have both style and function in one!

Take a look at these creative chicken coop designs that would look amazing in your backyard:

Nesting Haven

If anything, the main purpose of even having a flock at your disposal is to have an abundant supply of fresh eggs every day. By providing your hens with a comfortable nesting space, you can definitely guarantee this. With this particular design, you have a large nesting space that is easily accessible from the outside. There's no need to get into the coop and disturb your flock's space. Look out for high-quality chicken coop kits rather than trying to build something like this yourself.

Best coop for ease of egg collection

Chicken Coop On Wheels

Mobile coops are ideal for homes with larger spaces and for people who like changing things up every now and then. These coops are equipped with wheels for easy transportation, all you need is a vehicle to pull it around. Then secure the perimeter against possible predators with a mesh fence and you're good to go. For this particular coop, the red and white design gives off a very barn-like feeling, a traditional look to have in your backyard.

Coop And Greenhouse

Talking about aesthetics and function, this design definitely takes the cake. As we mentioned, urban farming has become so popular that it's not just about having produce. With this coop and greenhouse combo, you have the best of both worlds in a very safe structure. In fact, it looks good enough to live in. I wouldn't be surprised if it came with a fancy nesting area providing the flock with top-of-the-line accessories.

White Picket Fence

Best chicken coop designs for just looking gorgeous (and 3-6 birds)

Everyone appreciates miniature versions of their homes -- from mailboxes and now to coops. This design was based on an actual home and it even came with the white picket fence, fancy right? The coop also features an accessible nesting box, run, and secured roaming area for your flock. Keeping them entertained and providing them with the shelter they need. It's easy on the eyes and definitely functional!

Best chicken coop design for looking great.

The Open Yard

Best chicken coop design for large spaces and big flocks

This type of coop is technically classified as a traditional coop. It has your basic hen house with all the amenities and in addition to this, you also have a large roaming space for your flock. This coop would do great if you have enough space to accommodate it. The large area will allow your birds to de-stress easily, provides great ventilation and this walk-in chicken coop allows you to collect eggs from the nest boxes without stooping.

The Open Yard -- **Best chicken Coop **for large spaces

Front Porch

If you have a small flock, this design would be great for them. It provides all the bare necessities they need and it is absolutely adorable to have in your yard. It almost seems like an oversized dollhouse if you ask me. With a porch, a stair-like run leading to the roaming space, it's definitely something to try if you are handy with tools and want to build a chicken coop your own way.

Front Porch -- Best best backyard chicken coop for 6 birds

There are dozens of designs to choose from, but aside from functionality and aesthetics, there is one important thing every coop must have; ventilation. Chickens produce a lot of moisture and ammonia, thus keeping them in a poorly ventilated space creates a breeding ground for disease and this is something you must avoid at all costs.

1. Proper ventilation removes humidity. 2. Large windows remove the fumes of ammonia. 3. Having just the right amount of ventilation keeps the coop from getting too warm.

At the end of the day, you must factor in a lot of different elements when building the best chicken coop for your start-up farm. Keep it stylish, functional and well-ventilated for your flocks thrive.

Caring and keeping a flock of chickens is actually quite easy if you stick with simple chicken coop designs, all you need are the bare essentials to work with, you're good to go!

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