If you need to learn how to build a chicken pen then there are many different avenues you can go down. There are many different deigns on the market these days and they are all very easy to get hold of. These chicken coop plans are very suitable for beginners as you do not need a qualification in carpentry to build a chicken pen. The main point to consider when building a chicken coop is to make sure you have written out a full plan before starting on the project.

The chickens will spend the majority of their time inside of the chicken coop so the actual size of the coop is vital. The birds will need enough room to move about freely and to also sleep without being on top of one another. The design you choose will state how many chickens the pen is designed for - stick to this. If you cannot find a coop design that fits the amount of chickens you want to keep then go for a slightly bigger one. If you build a larger one you can always expand your project at a later date.

Chickens are usually farmyard animals and therefore they are known for making quite a mess. The inside of chicken coops can become very messy within a small amount of time and this can be bad news for your chicken's health. Try to slope the floor of the pen slightly towards the door area so the cleaning process can be made that much easier. You could also think about using sliding doors on the coop wide enough for you to lean in and reach all corners of the pen.

Predators are another danger for your chickens and they come in many shapes and sizes. Never think about positioning your chicken coop anywhere near a bush or hedged area of your garden. The hedge area provides perfect cover for foxes and other pests that will want to eat your chickens. Hedged areas also block off natural sunlight to the chicken coop which is not a good thing for your chickens. Once the chicken pen is built it would be a good idea to purchase some chicken wire to run underneath the coop. This will stop any predator from digging down and burrowing up into the chicken pen.

Building a chicken pen is a lot easier than you may think. It is also a lot cheaper than buying one from a local store. Make sure you purchase some chicken coop plans and cover all your materials and you should have a thriving chicken home in no time.