Keeping chickens is not as difficult as you may think and to build a chicken coop to house them in can be just as easy. Don't believe the hype - ready made chicken coop can be quite nice to look at but who in there right mind can afford to shell out over four hundred dollars for one in this day and age. If you purchase a ready made chicken coop from your local store then you are buying someone else's idea and personal touches. Now, building a chicken coop yourself is a much different kettle of fish and will cut your costs by up to fifty percent.

First things first, do you know how many chickens you plan to raise and keep. You cannot go out and purchase some chicken coop plans or designs without a number inside your head. Once you have this number then try to find some coop plans that will fit the amount of chickens you plan to keep as close as possible. If you cannot find a plan to fit your needs exactly then try to find one a little bit bigger - you can always expand at a later date if you want to. As a rule of thumb chickens should be given four square feet of space each to stay healthy.

Health is the larger factor to consider when it comes to keeping chickens and there are a few different points to keep in mind at all times. Chickens, like us, need to sleep at night and get up around dawn time. Without this day and night cycle the chickens health and egg yield will be effected. You must try to find a space in your garden or yard that gets a lot of natural daylight. If you have a very dark or secluded garden then there is an alternative. You can fix a couple of lights inside the coop but make sure that they are fitted up high where the chickens can't reach them.

Chickens do not appreciate moisture and this can also seriously effect their health. Ventilation is a must when it comes to chicken coops and must be covered. Try to find chicken coop plans that include a couple of windows. These with a main door to the coop will work as adequate ventilation.

You do not need to be a carpenter to build a chicken coop, in fact no qualifications are necessary. Find yourself some suitable chicken coop design and good luck - it is easier than you think.