For those that are planning on raising chickens, then they must have a chicken coop. There are those that may think that they do not need a chicken coop, but they are completely wrong. The chicken coop is the home for these chickens and without a home these chickens cannot prosper. These chicken coops are the shelter that the chickens need in order to be safe from predators. Consider that as a human, the person needs shelter, water and food, which is the same as the chicken, and with these chicken coops the person is going to find this provides them with the shelter portion. So what are the predators that the chicken is going to be protected from? There are many predators that would take advantage of the chicken if they did not have a home, for example:

- Foxes

- Wolves

- Coyotes

- Neighborhood Dogs

- Predator birds (Hawks, Falcons,…)

Disease and Illness

There is also the benefit of the coop being a home that is going to help stop the spread of disease and illness, as long as the person is keeping it clean. Plus, consider that when the weather changes, as with other animals, chickens are susceptible to the changes of the temperature. And if left out in the rain for days on end, many chickens can become ill and pass this on to otherwise, healthy chickens.

Choosing the Right Coop

There are many chicken coop plans that the person can choose from, as well as chicken coop designs to choose from. For example, there are those that are wooden and those that are plastic. Popularity wise, most people are going to find that the wooden chick coops designs are going to be found in nature much more. The reason for this is the fact that the wood coops have a reputation as holding up much better against the forces of nature. These wooden coops are going to have shingles on their roof and be put together through the use of screws and nails, and are more times than not a permanent fixture in the area that they are placed. The second type of chicken coops that are out there is the plastic coops that are usually referred to as Eglus. The reason for the name is the fact that they do resemble an igloo. The person is going to find that this may not be as sturdy as other chicken coops designs that are out there since they are made of plastic and are a bit more flimsy.

Wooden Coops

Within the wooden realm of chicken coops, there are many chicken coop designs that the person can choose from, all of which are deigned for a specific situation in mind. For example, the Ark design is one that is going to be used in places in which the chickens cannot roam that far in the yard that they are placed since they may be in fear of predators or simply not have the room. These chicken coops do allow for the sun to be in, while providing shelter for the chickens at all times. The most common type of wooden chicken coop is the classic coop that has wood, mesh wire and enough room to house chickens during times in which they are not outside. However, for those that are wanting to find an affordable and easy chicken coop plan is going to find that the poultry shed is the best bet. It is simple in construction and allows chicken access in, while keeping predators out, which is the main reason to have a chicken coop in the first place.

Features and Specs

When looking at these chicken coop plans there are many things that the person needs to make sure that they have in the coop in order for it to work for them in the long run. For example, the person must make sure that the chicken coop is going to allow the chickens ease of access in, while keeping predators out. The person must also make sure that they have access into the chicken coop in order to clean it out. Access to food and water in the chicken coop is a must as well since there may be days in which the chickens are not going to be able to get out into the yard that they are fenced into. Having access to light while in the chicken coop is also something to take into consideration. And this can be through the use of sky lights and other aspects in the roof to allow for the sunlight to get into the home. Finally, the person wants to make sure that the chicken coops allow for the chickens to feel safe and secure in the coop in order to lay their eggs. With that being said, having a way to get the eggs out of the chicken coop is also something that the person wants to look into.

Free Plans VS Purchased Plans

Given all of the options for chicken coop designs out there, the person is going to run across those plans that are paid for chicken coop plans and free chicken coop plans. Is one better than the other? This is a common question that people ask when they are in the market for buying a plan to build their coop. The person has to look at each option and the benefits and drawbacks of the plan. Those free chicken coop plans may include just the basic layout of the plan, which can be useful, but for those that are starting from scratch, they may find that the design plans lack information that can help with making decisions. For example, the free chicken coop plans may not include which type of materials to use for the chicken coop, which can cost the person money in the long run. With a paid chicken coop plan they are going to find that these plans have been developed by professionals in the field. The free plans are usually those that may or may not have been designed by someone that actually knows the needs of chickens and what works best in the actual field.
Chicken Coop Plan Guarantee

The person should also look at the guarantee that they are getting with a paid chicken coop plan. For example, many of these plans are going to include such things as what materials to use, able to get their money back if the plan does not work, and other pieces of information such as how to make sure that the chicken coop is going to work for their chickens, such as ideas of how to include nesting materials and feeding materials in the coop for ease of access for the chickens.

Overall, chicken coops are something that the person must have in order to make sure that they are taking great care of their chickens. And when choosing a chicken coop, they are going to find that there are many options and decisions that are going to have to be made.