Forget the debate about the chicken or the egg. What really comes first should be the chicken coop.

Lots of folks love the idea of raising backyard chickens, and for good reason — it’s a great idea. But the logistics of keeping chickens — all the unknowns about breeds, poultry housing, chicken feed, and city regulations — might keep some people from getting started.

So to ease some of the stress from the myriad of questions, here are a few simple tips about building your own chicken coop. The best coops will have the following properties:

1) Proper Overall Size — Your coop needs at least 4 square feet per hen. That means that for 8 laying hens you should have at least 32 square feet in your chicken coop floor plan. You also need to consider the size of the outdoor run at well. Typically you should have at least 6 square feet per hen for free range space.

2) Above Ground Level — The nesting area needs to be raised up off the ground anywhere from 6 inches to 18 inches to protect the hens from predators and cold, damp soil.

3) Efficiency — You need to consider how you will get into the nesting boxes for cleaning and for collecting the eggs. A poorly designed coop can turn these chores into back-breaking work. Something as simple as adding an access panel, such as a hinged roof panel or hinged door, might suffice.

4) Proper Size of the Nesting Boxes — The subject of nesting box size is debatable. Every expert seems to have a different opinion. In general, however, they seem to agree that something in the range of 12×12 inches up to 18×18 inches is best for two laying hens.

5) Attractive Appearance — Your chickens may not care what their coop looks like, but chances are that your neighbors will. But don’t let your neighbors’ taste worry you. There are many chicken coop designs that are downright cute, and some that are even more adorable than most playhouses.

6) Appropriate for Your Climate — Be sure to choose a design that works well with your region and your climate. For example, warm weather typically calls for better ventilation, whereas colder weather calls for more insulation.

7) Portability — Not all chicken coops need to be portable. But for smaller coops, portability is a major benefit. Moving the coop periodically will provide your chickens with fresh grass and a change of pace.

If you keep these factors in mind while choosing or designing your coop, you will already be ahead of the game.

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