Build your own chicken coop. We build a chicken coop in the country with our own hands for the summer period on our own. Beautiful chicken coop with a walking area

27.06.2021

Dacha is a great place to relax, but it is also a great reason to change activities. It is not for nothing that the arrangement of summer cottages and the cultivation of ornamental and horticultural plants are becoming a popular pastime for citizens. However, today even those who are going to build a chicken coop in the country with their own hands do not surprise anyone. Moreover, zealous owners choose solid buildings. If you build a house a little larger than a dog house, the birds will get sick or eat food to no avail. Then you should not expect such coveted environmentally friendly eggs from them. Let's find out the secrets of good construction.

Finding out how to make a cost-effective chicken coop, you need to allocate space for construction. The design of the house can largely depend on the location of the house. There are basic principles that should be followed when making a choice:

Location. The poultry house must be placed on a hill, because it will be more difficult for birds to walk in the lowlands: it is in such places that moisture does not dry out longer, and the snow melts late.
building orientation. The chicken coop should be correctly oriented to the cardinal points. The rectangular building is located along the length from east to west. The ideal placement of the house is when its windows face south and the door faces east. Windows should get as much light as possible during the day. The time length of daylight hours significantly affects the egg production of chickens. However, in the heat of the window should be shaded.
Temperature. For chickens, both too high and too low temperatures are negative. Already at +25 C °, the productivity of the bird will drop by half, and if the temperature rises by another 5 degrees, the chickens will stop laying altogether. In case of heat, the chicken coop windows must be equipped with plywood shutters. AT winter period the optimum temperature is +12 C °.
Peace. Chickens need to feel calm, so you need to choose a place for the chicken coop away from active recreation areas. Protecting your chicken coop with a hedge is a good idea.
Square. The place should be selected taking into account the dimensions of the future building. There should be no more than two chickens per 1 m 2 of the chicken coop. If chickens will live in a chicken coop in the winter, it is necessary to provide a vestibule as an element of chicken coop insulation so that cold air does not directly penetrate to the birds. For the vestibule, you also need to allocate space in terms of construction.

Experts recommend choosing a place with a margin of space in case the luck in breeding chickens encourages the owners to create, for example, a quail farm. After all, such a farm is an excellent source of not even additional income, but a full-fledged income.

A wrecked barn is often called a chicken coop, but if you look at this building in a businesslike way, then it can be made much more attractive, then it will be easier to find a place for it.

To be healthy, chickens must have a place to walk, so this coop with a vestibule is a well-deserved success.

What does it cost us to build a house for chickens?

We will agree in advance that we choose a four-edged timber 100x150 mm as the material for the construction of our chicken coop. This is a low-budget option and construction from such material does not require professional skill.

Stage # 1 - the choice and construction of the foundation

We choose the size of the upcoming building. It is better to draw a project so that you can accurately determine the need for materials. We will proceed from the approximate weight of the chicken coop, determining the foundation.

The coop on a column foundation looks very secure, neat and compact, despite the fact that everything you need is provided in it.

The best option for a relatively light chicken coop can be considered a columnar foundation. Why?

Economic benefit. Pedestals made of old brick will be very cheap, and, if desired, you can generally get by with an ordinary stone. Cement, sand, gravel and a trowel are the main costs for such a foundation.
Protection. It will be difficult for rats and ferrets to enter the room, and ventilation under the floor surface can prevent the wood from rotting.

We will mark the foundation using a thin but strong rope and metal rods. In full accordance with the project, we hammer rods around the perimeter of the building. We wrap them with a rope, placing it near the surface of the earth. We check the accuracy of the markup made by measuring the distance diagonally with an ordinary tape measure.

Carefully remove the fertile soil layer of 15-20 cm inside the markup: it will come in handy in the garden. Now we will make pedestals in the corners of the building and along its perimeter. The distance between them should be 0.8-1 m. We dig holes 60-70 cm deep and 50 cm wide (for two bricks). With the help of a hydraulic level and ropes, we mark 20-25 cm above the ground - a landmark for the construction of pedestals.

The columnar foundation is most appropriate when building a chicken coop, since it is economically viable and the building on it will be protected from decay and from predators.

At the bottom of the pit, we pour layers of sand and medium-grained gravel 10 cm thick. We lay the first two bricks on the bottom of the pit, put cement mortar mixed at the rate of 1: 3 on them. The next two bricks are placed across the previous ones. So the cabinet should be laid out to the level marked with ropes. Cement mortar will help to trim the cabinet exactly to the level.

In construction, there is a technological break of 5-7 days, so that the solution has the opportunity to seize. After that, the finished posts must be treated with a special protective mastic or simple bitumen. Coarse gravel should be poured between the pedestals and the ground. They also cover the surface inside the perimeter of the building.

Stage # 2 - the construction of the walls of the building

For the process of laying timber, a standard technology has long been developed, which must be followed. As an insulator of the first crown from the foundation, you can use a double layer of roofing material. The ends of the beam should be connected to half a tree. As a log for the floor, we use a beam 100x150mm, laid on the edge. The optimal distance between the lags is 50 cm. We close the gaps with scraps of timber.

The walls of the building are erected by sequential placement of timber with its connection at the corners of the building into a key connection of the "groove-thorn" type

The second, third and subsequent crowns at the corners are connected according to the "thorn-groove" system. Flax jute fiber can be used as a sealant in lock joints and between crowns. If the beam from which the chicken coop is built has natural moisture, it is better to use wooden dowels for a secure fit of the crowns.

Their presence will protect the frame from warping after shrinkage. Under the pins, you need to make holes in the corners of the building and around the perimeter after a meter or a half. They are made with a depth of 2.5 beams and in a checkerboard pattern. The dowels should be hammered into the wood by about 7 cm. The minimum height of the walls to be erected should be 1.8 m.

Stage # 3 - the ceiling and roof of the chicken coop

You can make the roof of the chicken coop single-pitched, but the double-pitched design is the choice of far-sighted people. Feed and equipment need to be stored somewhere. Why not use a comfortable and dry attic for this purpose?

Of course, it is better to make the roof of the building gable, then the feed, equipment and even rowan fruits dried for the winter for chickens will be safe

We strengthen the ceiling beams, lay the ceiling with any boards and insulate it. Expensive roll insulation can be replaced with expanded clay or coal slag. Until the moment of insulation, you need to take care of the ventilation of the room. To do this, put together two wooden ventilation boxes. We fix them at opposite ends of the building. One end of the ventilation duct is flush with the ceiling, and the other is about 40 cm below it. Tin shutters on the ventilation pipes will help regulate the temperature in the room.

Stage # 4 - we lay and insulate the floor

Freezing and blowing floors should be avoided. Therefore, the best option can be considered double floors. In this case, we will use a board with a thickness of 25 mm. The draft floor should be made of dry unedged boards. A layer of vapor barrier is laid out on the boards, followed by 100x100mm bars. We fill the gaps between the bars with insulation, after which we lay the finishing floor already from the edged board.

If any boards can be used for the ceiling, then for the floor, savings are only relevant when laying the subfloor: the finishing one should be made from a grooved board

We equip the poultry house from the inside

Well, we figured out how to build a reliable and warm chicken coop, now we need to properly organize the room inside. If we talk about the necessary elements of the internal structure of the chicken coop, then the perch is just one of them.

When calculating the need for perches, you need to know that each bird will need at least 30 cm of perches. Knowing the number of feathered inhabitants of the chicken coop, we calculate the quantitative need for perches. It is better to make them from a rectangular bar 40x60 mm. Perches need to be rounded, otherwise they will injure the birds. Perches should be placed from each other at a distance of 50 cm at a height of 60-80 cm from the floor, but not one above the other. Trays placed under the perch will make it easier to clean the chicken coop.

Properly organizing a chicken coop from the inside is no less important than ensuring its competent construction: chickens need perches, drinkers, feeders, places for laying hens

Places for laying hens should be located in the part of the coop where the hens can feel safe and secure.

Do not forget that we cost a chicken coop for laying hens, which means that we need to provide them with all the conditions for them to lay eggs. To do this, you can equip boxes with sawdust for them in the place where the chickens will feel peace and security.

Feeders and drinkers should be full, clean and elevated. Cleanliness and order in the chicken coop can be ensured more easily if the floor is covered with sawdust or straw. The sloping floor also makes cleaning easier. For the winter, the chicken coop can be additionally insulated with mineral wool and foam.

On how to build a chicken coop with your own hands in other ways, we suggest watching the following videos.

At the summer cottage, you can provide yourself not only with fresh vegetables and fruits, but also with homemade poultry meat and chicken eggs. You can make a chicken coop in the country with your own hands. The main thing is to understand how many chickens there will be. It is better to build using drawings with exact dimensions.

Project and drawing with dimensions country chicken coop

An important aspect in the construction of a chicken coop is the choice of installation site. It is necessary that the smell from the bird does not penetrate the house. Also, chickens need rest and do not like noise. Therefore, it is better to build in remote areas of the site. Do not combine the building with the barnyard.

A place for walking is arranged next to the chicken coop. Enough . A platform of 2 x 10 m is built for 10 chickens. Calculations are made taking into account that at least 2 m2 will fall on one head.

Design option and scheme of the chicken coop for installation on the site

Advice. For lack of sufficient space, you can resort to the manufacture of tunnels. They are mounted around the perimeter of the site and allow the birds to run in plenty.

The installation of the building is best done on an elevated piece of land. Then the soil will warm up faster, and moisture will not linger on the surface. It is necessary to provide that there is a shady and sunny side. It is recommended to place the windows in the sun, and the exit - in the shade.

The names of the elements and the design of the house for chickens

What materials to choose for a chicken coop in the country

The simplest chicken coop can be built from improvised materials. If only summer mode is planned, then plywood or OSB is chosen as the main material for the walls. First, a standard frame is created, which is sheathed with sheet materials. This design will be enough for the chickens to be protected from adverse weather conditions.

The winter chicken coop needs to be well insulated. The basis can be used plywood and fiberboard. Other building materials are also used: foam blocks, timber or sandstone. It is better to mount the roof in a chicken coop for 10 chickens from slate, ondulin or roofing felts.

Do not install metal roofing. During rain or hail there will be a lot of noise, and the birds do not like it.

Because of these manifestations, the quality of weight gain and the number of eggs laid are significantly reduced.

Soft tile roofing option

As a heater, it is better to use mineral wool or polystyrene. These are cheap and profitable materials for.

Small mice can settle in such heaters. Therefore, they are closed on both sides with a metal mesh with a minimum cell size.

An example of insulating a chicken coop with foam sheets

The best option is extruded polystyrene foam. Its price is higher, but the effect is better. Due to its properties, it repels fungi and insects. Rodents will not gnaw holes in it. It fits up to 3 cm thick.

How to build a chicken coop in the country with your own hands

It is better to build from a four-sided beam measuring 100 x 150 mm. It is inexpensive and does not require skills in the construction of buildings.

Foundation

Before its construction, a drawing is created in order to understand how much material will be spent. The materials of the entire structure and the final weight of the building are taken into account. This will allow you to calculate the load on the base.
If the chicken coop is small for 5 chickens, then it's easier to build. The columns can be made of brick or stone. Around, which is poured with cement-sand mortar. Remember to create natural ventilation under the floor, it prevents rotting.

Floor

Floors also require proper installation. This will protect the birds from blowing and freezing. It is better to use double decking. First, a draft floor is created. To do this, use a simple unedged board. It must be dry! The next layer is a vapor barrier.

Bars with a section of 100 x 100 mm are installed on top. A heater is laid between them. In conclusion, a finishing floor is mounted. Make it better from a cut dry board.
Builders recommend leaving ventilation products with a grate. During wintering, they are tightly closed with panels.

Walls

Walls can be built in many ways and from different materials. We will consider the option of a bar. Between the first crown and be sure to lay an insulator. The most affordable is roofing material. It is laid on the surface in two layers.

Scheme of laying roofing material between the foundation and the crown

We must not forget about the installation of a log for the floor, which are also created from a bar laid on an edge. They are stacked at a distance of at least 0.5 m from each other.

The connection of the crowns is best done using the tongue and groove system using a sealant. You can use a simple flax jute fiber. Most often they are built from wood with natural moisture, so it is recommended to install dowels in corner joints. They will exclude distortions after drying and shrinkage of the timber.

Ceiling

If you do not have a food storage room, then consider the option. The internal attic space can be equipped for a small storage room.

At the initial stage, the ceiling beams are strengthened. The ceiling itself can be covered with any boards. Main part - . Two ventilation ducts are knocked together from improvised materials and mounted at different ends of the building.

Options for natural ventilation in the chicken coop

The first should be at the level of the ceiling, the second 40 cm below. Using dampers, it will turn out to regulate the temperature inside the chicken coop. The ceiling also needs to be insulated, but a more affordable option for insulation can be used. Expanded clay or coal slag will do.

Chicken coop device inside - how to build a perch

When the initial work on the construction of the chicken coop is completed, proceed to the interior decoration. main part- a perch, on which the hens spend most of their time.

Multiple bird perch designs

One individual should have at least 30 cm of perch to be comfortable. If the chicken coop is built for 10 chickens, then the total length of the perch should be at least 3 m.

Many summer residents and people living in private homes are engaged in keeping chickens. Like other living creatures, chickens need a special place where they will walk and spend most of their time. If in summer you can equip an old barn and an aviary next to it for this, then in winter you will need to build a full-fledged chicken coop to keep the bird.

Do I need to build a warm chicken coop

Health and egg production poultry directly depend on their comfort, good nutrition and general physical activity. Not the last role is played by the temperature regime and the duration of daylight hours.

Old barn converted into a chicken coop with paddock

The period from November to March is the most difficult for both poultry and poultry farmers who keep laying hens all year round. If in spring and summer the bird leads an active lifestyle, freely walks around the aviary or alley, bathes in sand and specially designed water containers, then in winter, for obvious reasons, its activity is very limited.

If the temperature is too low and there is no light, the egg production of laying hens is greatly reduced, and in some cases completely stops. Based on this, for the period of cold weather for chickens, a chicken coop should be built that provides conditions such as:

temperature above 10–12 o C and low air humidity;
artificial lighting, which increases the length of daylight hours;
natural or artificial ventilation for constant air exchange;
a place for nests and a free perch at a low altitude;
free space at the rate of 1 m 2 per chicken.

Compliance with the conditions described above ensures that laying hens not only remain completely healthy and endure the winter well, but also maintain egg production and overall body weight.

Types of insulated chicken coops

An ordinary chicken coop is a barn, near which there is a platform for walking birds in the fresh air. The walking area is fenced with a fine-mesh net, which will reliably protect the bird's habitat from unwanted penetration of predators.

Winter chicken coop made of timber and boards for 30–35 chickens

In fact, this option can be taken as the basis for the construction of a warm chicken coop. Especially if you need a room for keeping no more than 10-15 chickens. If desired, you can consider a more comfortable chicken coop with both external and internal walking areas. But in this case, its size will be noticeably larger, which is not suitable for suburban areas of a small area.

Depending on the number of birds, the following types of chicken coops can be used:

In many ways, all three types of chicken coops are similar and differ only in size, but with enough materials and free space on the site, an insulated chicken coop can have a completely different look.

For example, you can build a completely enclosed structure, which will already have a place for walking. This will avoid hypothermia of chickens during walks, and will also enable the bird to walk freely, even when it is -15–20 ° C outside.

The choice of material for DIY construction

A variety of building materials can be used to build a chicken coop - from edged boards to masonry bricks. Any material has both positive and negative qualities, which should also be considered when choosing.

base material

The construction of a chicken coop, like any structure, begins with the laying of a supporting foundation. The foundation is necessary for reliable protection of load-bearing walls and roofs. In the absence of a base, the walls of the chicken coop will be under the constant influence of moisture, which will come from damp earth. As a result, this will lead to decay and damage to the structurally important components of the structure.

For the manufacture of foundation supports, concrete, brick or foam blocks are used.

For the construction of an insulated chicken coop, you can use such types of foundations as:

columnar - suitable for building chicken coops using frame technology, when the walls are made of thick boards and OSB. For the manufacture of the foundation, foam blocks or concrete mix are \u200b\u200bused. Supports are erected along the perimeter of the future structure;
pile - used for the construction of buildings on heaving and moving types of soil. The base in the form of metal piles sunk into the ground along the perimeter of the building is suitable for building wooden chicken coops. If a pile-grillage foundation acts as a foundation, then its bearing capacity is sufficient to build a chicken coop from foam blocks;
tape - the most reliable type of foundation. It can be used to build a chicken coop of any size and design. For the manufacture of the strip foundation, a concrete mixture of the M500 brand, steel reinforcement Ø18 mm and an edged board are used.

For the manufacture of the grillage, you can use both a wooden beam 20 × 20 cm, and a concrete mix of the M500 brand. The first option is cheaper and easier to implement. The use of a concrete mixture requires the ability to set up formwork and knit a reinforcing cage, but in general, the use of these materials allows you to build a more reliable and durable foundation.

The choice of materials for making the floor in the chicken coop depends on what type of foundation is used. For pile and column foundations, it is more rational to use a wooden beam, edged board and DSP sheets. In the case of a strip foundation - concrete and reinforcing materials.

Wall materials

The choice of material for the construction of the walls of the chicken coop depends on the size of the structure and the technology by which it will be built. The simplest and most quickly implemented option is a chicken coop made of wooden beams and OSB. A beam or a thick board (from 22 mm) is used to build a frame, which is later sheathed with OSB sheets inside and out.

The foam block is perfect for building the main walls of a winter chicken coop.

For the construction of the main walls of the chicken coop, you can use the following materials:

shell rock is a natural material with low thermal conductivity. Perfect for building chicken coops for 25-30 chickens. The shell rock is a rectangular block 180x180x380 mm. The technology of work is in many ways reminiscent of the process of laying foam or cinder blocks;
foam concrete is a popular environmentally friendly building material. Suitable for building chicken coops of any size. For the construction of walls, it is better to use foam blocks of the D400 brand with a size of 200x300x600 mm. The thickness of the walls being built depends on the temperature regime in the region;
brick - traditional material for the construction of load-bearing walls. It has low thermal conductivity and long service life. It is best used for the construction of capital chicken coops for 50 or more chickens. For the construction of chicken coops, both solid and hollow bricks are suitable.

When choosing the material for the walls, you should also consider how long the structure will be built. If you are just trying yourself as a poultry farmer, then the best choice the material for the walls will be wooden beams and OSB. In the future, such a chicken coop can be disassembled or expanded due to a small extension.

If you already breed chickens in large numbers and plan to build a permanent chicken coop, then it is better to build a capital structure from foam blocks or bricks. Such a chicken coop will cost more, but its service life is much longer.

material for insulation

To insulate the floor, walls and ceilings of the chicken coop, you can use various heat-insulating materials. The cheapest option is the use of sawdust, expanded clay and dry hay. Expanded clay is used to insulate the floor or ceiling, and sawdust and hay are used to insulate walls.

Styrofoam has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity, which makes it one of the best materials for wall insulation.

The only disadvantage of this method compared to modern heat insulators is that the materials have a high thermal conductivity. In turn, this requires the arrangement of a large layer of insulation, which is not always possible when building a chicken coop.

To modern materials for insulation, which can be used for thermal insulation of walls and floors in a chicken coop, include:

When choosing a heat-insulating material, one should take into account its cost and the surface area that is planned to be insulated. For small chicken coops, Stizol and other polyethylene foam materials can be used. Steizol has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity (0.3 W / m * K) - this ensures that the material reliably retains heat indoors.

For coops with 50 hens or more, a combined approach is recommended. For example, insulate the floor with expanded clay, and the walls with extruded polystyrene foam. If you want to save money, then it is better to use polystyrene or mineral wool in conjunction with stizol.

Preparatory work

In order to build a chicken coop quickly and without problems, you should carefully prepare for the implementation construction works. To do this, you need to decide on the location of the chicken coop, draw up a drawing of the future structure, calculate the material and prepare a construction tool.

The diagram should show the location of nests, perches and feeding places.

When choosing a site on the site, it is advisable to adhere to the following:

it is not recommended to build a chicken coop in a lowland or on a slope. It is optimal if it is a free platform located on a hill;
chickens and other poultry are afraid of noise. Therefore, it is better to build a chicken coop away from the road and other sources of noise;
The health of chickens is directly dependent on the amount of sunlight. To ensure the free flow of light, the structure should be located on the south side.

If the soil on the site is represented by clay, loamy, swampy and other soil that does not absorb moisture well, then it is recommended to drain the site before building a chicken coop. If this is not done, then the supporting base of the structure will quickly become unusable, and this will reduce the life of the chicken coop as a whole.

After being able to find appropriate place under the construction of a chicken coop, you can proceed to drawing up a drawing. This can be done using plain paper and pencil, as well as using special computer programs for design.

Opposite each structural element, you need to indicate the size - this will help to avoid mistakes during construction

The drawing should depict the structure on a reduced scale. This takes into account that the size of the structure depends on the number of chickens that are planned to be kept.

In front of each structural element, its size should be applied. This will help you quickly navigate the project without wasting time on miscalculating one or another part of the structure. Additionally, you should depict the chicken coop in the projection from above. On this part of the scheme, you need to place the entrance to the room, perches, nests, a feeding place, etc.

As an example, consider the two diagrams above. Both options are designed to keep 10-12 chickens. The first diagram shows a chicken coop on a columnar foundation 200 × 400 cm with a pitched roof. For the manufacture of the chicken coop, a cut board with a thickness of 10 to 20 mm is used. If desired, this scheme can be taken as a model, on the basis of which the chicken coop you need will be built.

The second diagram shows a chicken coop with an aviary for walking. The dimensions of the structure, taking into account the vestibule, are 425 × 525 cm. For the construction of a chicken coop, as in the previous version, it is used wooden plank and bruce.

Materials for building a chicken coop

The materials for building an insulated chicken coop are selected based on personal preferences and the funds that you are willing to spend on building the structure. For example, to build the chicken coop from the first example above, you need the following material:

As fasteners, it is desirable to use galvanized wood screws or galvanized nails. To ensure the reinforcement of the frame, you can use a steel corner of a suitable size.

Work tool

To build a chicken coop, you need the following tools:

Manufacturing technology of a chicken coop with perches

The technology for manufacturing chicken coops of various sizes is similar in many respects. The main thing is to follow the sequence of actions and adhere to the drawing that was drawn up earlier. The construction of an insulated chicken coop begins with marking, preparing the site and pouring the supporting base.

Making the foundation and floor

The size of the chicken coop directly affects the total weight of the structure, so when choosing the type of foundation, consider the size of the structure being built. For a chicken coop for 15–20 chickens, it is recommended to build a pile or column foundation. The second option is the most popular, since the supports can be poured on their own using a concrete mix.

To fill the foundation and build the floor of the chicken coop, you will need to do the following:

According to the drawing, it is necessary to mark the place where the chicken coop is planned to be built. To do this, you need to level a piece of land with a shovel. After that, wooden pegs are driven into the ground, between which a rope is pulled.
Marking the foundation with pegs and rope is the easiest and fastest option.
At the corners of the marked area, it is necessary to dig wells for concrete supports 50–60 cm deep. For this, a hand drill and a shovel are used. Well sizes - 30 × 30 cm. Wells similar in size and depth are equipped along the perimeter of the future structure with a step of 2 m.
For chicken coops longer than 6 m, the construction of a concrete grillage is desirable. To do this, you will need to dig a trench 20 cm deep around the perimeter of the marked area. At the bottom of the trench, it is necessary to fill up 10 cm of sand and 10 cm of gravel with a fraction of 20–40. Each layer is carefully leveled and compacted.
To assemble the formwork box for support, it is best to use plywood or flat slate.
Formwork for supports and grillage is made and installed from edged boards. To do this, the boards are knocked together into shields up to 70 cm high. For installation, supports made of bars and bricks are used. For reinforcement, reinforcement is used, which is knitted into a frame consisting of two lower and two upper rods.
For pouring the foundation, a concrete mix based on M500 cement and fine-grained sand, taken in a ratio of 1: 3, is used, respectively. For mixing, a concrete mixer or an electric drill with a mixer attachment is used. Pouring supports and grillage starts from any convenient angle.
After pouring the foundation, you will need to wait for a set of minimum strength. To do this, the foundation is covered with plastic wrap and left to dry for 7-10 days.
The binding of the columnar foundation is made of a bar 20 × 20 cm
After 10 days, the surface of the foundation is covered with roofing material, on which a wooden strapping made of a 20 × 20 cm beam is laid. The strapping is a box of 4 blanks, which are connected at the corners with self-tapping screws and a steel corner. Before laying, the strapping is treated with a wood preservative. The harness is attached directly to the grillage with anchor bolts.
Logs from a board 20 × 200 mm are mounted to the laid strapping. To do this, you need to prepare several blanks from the board. The number of lags depends on the length of the chicken coop. The installation step is 1 m. After that, the board is placed on the edge and attached to the harness using self-tapping screws and a corner.
The logs are attached directly to the strapping of the timber in 1 m increments.
The resulting floor structure is hemmed with a draft board, which is fixed to the logs and strapping. After sheathing, the entire floor structure is treated with a wood preservative.

Floor insulation is best done after the assembly of the load-bearing walls (see below). To do this, the floor is covered with a vapor barrier membrane, which is fixed with a construction stapler. Then the space between the lags is filled with expanded clay fraction 20–40. At the end, floorboards from edged boards are laid on the logs.

The construction of the walls of the chicken coop and the insulation of the structure

The walls of wooden chicken coops are best built using frame technology. This will allow laying the insulation in the space between the outer and inner skin, which will prevent its damage during the operation of the house.

The technology of insulation and wall construction consists of the following:

An edged board is mounted at the corners of the strapping, which is fixed using a 50x50x35 mm mounting bracket and 50 mm self-tapping screws. The front pillars should be 30-50 cm higher than the rear ones. This will provide the necessary slope of the roof. After that, all corner posts are connected by means of an upper strapping from a board of the same section.
To fasten the racks to the harness, galvanized nails or self-tapping screws are used.
Next, you need to specify the width of the insulation that will be used for thermal insulation of the walls. Taking into account its width, intermediate supports of the crate are installed. They are also attached to the harness using mounting brackets and self-tapping screws.
To strengthen the structure in places where the front door, the window for the exit of the bird to the outside and the windows will be located, horizontal guides are mounted according to a similar principle. To frame the window opening, guides are installed at the top and bottom.
Intermediate racks of the frame are mounted in increments equal to the width of the insulation used
Having finished with the installation of the frame, you can immediately proceed to the roof. To do this, you need to measure the distance from the front drain to the back. To the value obtained, add 25–30 cm, which will go to the roof overhang. After that, according to the calculated size, the rafters are prepared from the edged board.
Prepared blanks are treated with a wood preservative. After drying, the rafters are placed on the edge and attached to the upper trim of the frame. The step between the rafters should be equal to the width of the insulation. After that, a polyethylene film 200 microns thick is laid on the rafters, a crate made of a 10X10 mm board with a gap and roofing material.
Sheathing the walls of the chicken coop with OSB sheets from the outside
The frame of the chicken coop is treated with an antiseptic for 2 times. Further, 20 × 20 mm bars are mounted from the outside, onto which OSB sheets are attached using self-tapping screws 50 mm long. Step between screws - 20 cm.
A vapor barrier membrane is laid in the space between the frame posts without tension. A stapler is used for fastening. After that, mineral wool is laid between the racks in slabs or a roll. It is important that the material lies tightly and does not fall off.
Insulation in slabs or rolls is laid in the space between the racks of the frame
When insulating walls with polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam or styzol, it is not necessary to lay a vapor barrier. After laying the insulation, the walls are sheathed on the inside of the chicken coop. The place where the ventilation will be located is not sheathed.

The roofing process is similar. For this, heat-insulating material is laid in the space between the rafters. If desired, roof insulation can be performed in two layers of insulation. In the process of sheathing the frame, it should be remembered that there should be a small ventilation gap between the OSB sheets and the insulation.

When insulating the roof from the outside, insulation in the form of a polyethylene film should be laid. Roof sheathing is performed using a similar technology. When installing windows, the gaps between the frame and the window frame are filled with mounting foam.

Installation of ventilation and lighting

Ventilation in the chicken coop can be represented as a conventional exhaust vent with a damper, as well as a full-fledged ventilation duct, which will be located under the roof.

The best option for a chicken coop built using frame technology is two ventilation holes located on opposite walls of the building. In order to install ventilation, you will need to cut a square hole in the wall of the chicken coop. This can be done with an electric jigsaw by first drilling a small hole in the casing to insert the cutting blade.

The second hole is cut in a similar pattern 40 cm below the first. Supply ventilation fans of any convenient size are mounted in the openings. The average cost for such products without additional functions does not exceed 800-1000 rubles.

Lighting in the chicken coop can be done using LED strips of various brightness

As lighting, it is better to use 1-2 fluorescent lamps or an LED strip with a white luminous flux. For laying electrical wiring, a plastic corrugation and a copper cable of the appropriate section are used.

If you plan to install heating equipment, it is recommended to use fan heaters with automatic temperature control. They can be turned on when the temperature inside the coop at night falls below 12 ° C.

Making perches and nests

For the manufacture of perches, you can use a wooden block 20 × 20 cm or a round profile 28 × 2200 mm, which can be purchased at various hardware stores.

When making nests, remember that one chicken requires 30–35 cm of free space.

To install perches, you will need to do the following:

Perches are installed at a height of 50-70 cm from the floor level. The installation location is selected based on the free area in the room. It is best to use a place near the window for this.
To make perches, you will need to measure the width of the chicken coop. According to this value, it is necessary to prepare 4–6 blanks from a round wooden profile or bar.
As supports, boards 50 cm long will be used, which are mounted on opposite walls. Preliminarily, 3 × 3 cm recesses are sawn in the boards for installing poles.
For more reliable fixation, the pole is attached to the support using self-tapping screws or nails. The step between adjacent perches is 25–30 cm. The distance in height is at least 20 cm.

To make it more convenient for chickens to climb onto the perch, you will need to make a small ladder from the board. To do this, measure the distance from the floor to the lower perch. Next, the workpiece is sawn off, to which short bars of 20 × 20 mm are attached. After that, the ladder is attached to the lower perch with self-tapping screws.

As nests, it is better to use a semi-open box made of a wooden block and sheathed with OSB. Dimensions and manufacturing scheme can be seen in the photo above. First of all, a frame is assembled from a 20 × 20 mm bar. To fasten the workpieces, self-tapping screws 30 mm long and mounting angles are used. After that, the frame is sheathed with OSB or edged board. If it is required to install nests at a height, then legs are attached to the bottom of the box.

Features of chicken coops in the cellar

When converting the basement into a chicken coop, the foundation walls should be insulated with mineral wool or foam

litter - a layer of dry sawdust 4–5 cm thick. The litter is changed as it gets dirty, but at least once a week. Sometimes you can use hay, but it will have to be changed more often;
lighting - LED lamp power from 5 watts. With the help of artificial lighting, the length of daylight hours should be regulated. This will help increase the egg production of laying hens;
insulation - mineral wool, stizol or other rolled heat insulator. To protect the insulation, it is better to use a vapor barrier membrane or dense polyethylene. The thickness of the insulation layer - from 5 cm;
ventilation - vents in which you can install a supply and exhaust valve. Periodically, the cellar or basement should be well ventilated. For example, at the time of cleaning the litter.

Nests, as in the case of a full-fledged chicken coop, can be put together from edged boards on the basis that 30–40 cm of space is required per chicken. The perch is set at 50–70 cm from the floor level. If desired, the perch can be connected to the nests using boards.

Chicken coop care after winter

Disinfection of the chicken coop is carried out for preventive purposes at least once a year. This avoids the outbreak of infection and the spread of harmful microorganisms. It is best to disinfect in the spring or summer, when the chickens can safely walk in the fresh air, and you clean the chicken coop.

Complex of means for disinfection of chicken coops and other objects where animals and birds can be kept

To disinfect the chicken coop, you will need to do the following:

cleaning - the floor, walls, ceiling, perches and nests must be completely cleaned of dirt and dust. To do this, use a convenient broom and brushes with a hard bristle. After that, the surfaces are washed with hot water with the addition of soda ash;
processing - for disinfection of the internal space in the chicken coop use special means. For example, sodium hydroxide in the form of a 2% solution or a 4% xylonaft emulsion. The solution is prepared strictly according to the recipe without exceeding the norm. When processing, personal protective equipment is used: glasses, gown, respirator.

After processing, you should wait until the product has completely evaporated. The minimum exposure time is 2 hours, but it is advisable to wait at least 5–6 hours and only then release the birds. And they also disinfect feeders, drinkers and other accessories that were in the house.

Video: review of a winter chicken coop with a range

The construction of a chicken coop is not particularly difficult - you can do the work yourself, without resorting to the help of auxiliary workers and specialists. To do this, carefully study our instructions and read the advice of other chicken breeders, which can always be found on the Internet.

If you have a desire and minimal experience in keeping chickens and you are thinking about how to build a chicken coop with your own hands, then we will tell you how to build a winter chicken coop for 10 hens.

The small size and thermal insulation of the chicken coop will allow the birds to heat the room with the heat of their bodies. At the same time, the construction of such a chicken coop is quite within the power of every householder! This project will not take too much time and will not require expensive tools.

Do-it-yourself chicken coop for 10 chickens.

When designing and building a chicken coop, it is important to keep many factors in mind. After all, a chicken coop is both a comfortable home for birds and an outbuilding designed to make it easier for people to care for animals and increase labor productivity. Therefore, before making a chicken coop with your own hands, let's figure out what structural elements and features should be inherent in every good chicken coop.

1. We rise above the ground

Dampness and moisture are the main enemies of any chicken coop. In a damp room, the birds begin to get sick, so the chicken coop is always raised above the ground. Some designs provide for a very high rise - up to a meter, and sometimes even higher. If your area, like ours, does not have excessive humidity, then 25-40cm should be enough.

2. Placement of the chicken coop

Speaking of the area! Choose right place for a chicken coop - this is 50% success. Here are some tips to help you with this:

3. Entrances and exits for chickens and people

Each chicken coop should have an entrance for birds, as well as access for cleaning the premises. In our coop, the passage for the chickens is made behind the back wall, and two doors provide the possibility of cleaning the coop.

4. Nests and perch

Chickens will lay eggs in the nests, and you will take these eggs from the nests, so the nests should be convenient for both you and the hens. It is believed that The ideal nest size is 30x30cm long and wide, and 30-40cm. in height. At the same time, it is recommended to do the entrance to the nests already.

Outside, the nests should be easily accessible.

The lid opens so you don't have to climb inside the chicken coop to collect the eggs.

The lid must be inclined so that water flows freely from it and does not fall into the nests.

Total perch length is calculated based on 25cm per hen. Since we are counting on our chicken coop for ten chickens, the crossbar is enough for the entire length of the chicken coop (almost 2.5 m).

5. Lighting and ventilation of the chicken coop

Chickens need light. Shortening of daylight hours is one of the main reasons why chickens stop laying eggs in winter, and experienced owners know that turning on a light bulb solves this problem. Therefore, the windows in the chicken coop - to be!

It is better to make windows on at least three sides so that light penetrates the chicken coop throughout the day. Also pay attention to the folding ventilation window on the back wall. In wet weather, it can be opened for additional ventilation. The windows above the nests on the front wall also open. Ventilation is very important, but remember: whatever tricks you use to ventilate your winter coop, be sure to provide for the possibility of adjusting the air flow up to its complete overlap - this will come in handy in winter, when ventilation will suck out precious heat.

Chicken coop drawing.

Below we provide drawings of our chicken coop. For construction, we used timber and boards of coniferous wood, as well as plywood 15 mm thick. It is quite possible to use OSB for the floor and the substrate under the roof. When specifying the step between the lags and rafters, the distances are indicated between the centers of the bars.

How to insulate a chicken coop with your own hands

So we built a chicken coop. Now it is necessary to carry out its warming. Various materials can be used as insulation. Mineral wool is perfect for this.

As well as polystyrene and expanded polystyrene.

At worst, you can sheathe the walls with cardboard and old blankets.

The insulation is inserted between the bars, after which it is sewn up with plywood. Otherwise, birds can peck at it (they especially love foam).

AT winter time windows should also be closed with insulation. It is important to provide artificial lighting.

In case of severe frosts, infrared lamps can be provided. At the same time, their work can be controlled by a timer or even a thermal relay - this eliminates unnecessary hassle, eliminates the human factor (forgot to turn it on / off) and saves money.

Do-it-yourself chicken coop. Summer paddock.

In the warm season, chickens need more space, and they will be happy to spend most of their time outside. Therefore, when making a chicken coop with your own hands, you need to make an open summer pen for chickens. The area of the paddock is calculated by the formula 1 sq.m. for every chicken.

Pay attention to the net at the bottom of the chicken coop - it protects from predators. It should be deepened into the ground by 20-30 cm, as some predators are quite capable of digging. And if large birds of prey are found in your area, then the paddock must also be protected from above.

It is also very important that at least part of the corral is in the shade - the chickens must be able to hide from the scorching sun. If there is no natural shade, then build a small canopy.

So that the birds can freely enter and exit the chicken coop raised above the ground, a simple ladder is usually built for them.

Do-it-yourself chicken coop from improvised materials.

A German farmer turned an old kitchen cabinet into a small chicken coop.

This reclaimed coop fully complies with EU-approved specifications for keeping chickens and provides enough space for up to three hens to collect and lay their eggs.

Chickens need space to roam, so the chicken coop is placed in the backyard to give them enough room to roam.

A chicken coop made from improvised materials shows how modern methods of keeping chickens can be implemented by non-standard means.

As you can see, in the construction of such a seemingly simple thing as a chicken coop, there are many nuances and important points, ignorance of which can nullify all efforts.

But despite this, build with your own hands nice chicken coop anyone can.

The main thing is to arm yourself right knowledge and think over all aspects of the design in advance. You can build a chicken coop according to our drawings, or, taking their basis, modify its device to suit your needs.

Please share your experience and advice on this topic in the comments!