Because building materials can have such a significant impact with regards to the amount of money you’ll spend on building a chicken coop, I’d like to discuss this specifically in this article.
Strangely enough, many people tend to believe that in order to build a chicken coop; they’ll require plenty of expensive building materials but this couldn’t be further from the truth because you can make a chicken coop from various materials. You can make one from old 50 gallons drums, an old garden shed, old bits of timber, or even from PVC pipes.
In most cases timber is the most commonly used material although it’s also probably the most expensive, which means you’ll need to decide for yourself whether or not it’s the best choice. However, if you intend building a chicken coop capable of lasting many years, then it may be worthwhile for you to consider investing your money in a good quality wooden coop.
Of course if you decide to go with a wooden chicken coop then it’s important to bear in mind that different varieties of wood vary in price, hence the importance of considering the different varieties of timber available.
If you only intend building a small chicken coop then you could even consider using some recycled timber. You could also simply ask around for old bits of scrap timber but be prepared, because you may find yourself having to remove many nails before the timber can be used. Also, because you’ll be using different types of wood, different sections of the chicken coop may not match up in the end. However, if your primary concern is to use the most cost effective method there is, then you may want to consider this option.
Believe it or not; if you’re willing to shop around when it comes to purchasing the building materials, you can end up saving yourself about half of what you would have paid had you purchased the materials from the very first store you went into.
The bottom line is; it’s imperative that you give careful consideration to what’s been mentioned in this article before you go out and begin purchasing the materials you need.
Furthermore, it’s essential for you to have a thorough understanding before you commence with the building. It’s relatively easy to start getting confused once you start building and you may very well experience some difficulty. For this reason, you should always try to make sense of it all before you start.
Fresh Air or Bust! To stay healthy, your chickens need plenty of ventilation--probably more than they're getting today. This was discovered over 100 years ago, but has been largely forgotten. Today's small-flock housing tends to be dank, dark, and smelly. Chickens, like miners' canaries, are easily harmed by poor air quality. Wet litter breeds disease. Darkness forces chickens, like parrots, to be artificially inactive. "Dank, dark, and smelly" is a deadly combination!
Closed chicken houses are so harmful that knocking out a wall can cause an immediate improvement, even in winter. Chickens, after all, have a thick coat of feathers to keep them warm, but are vulnerable to poor air quality and pathogens in the litter; and their unwillingness to eat in the dark means they can starve in the midst of plenty.
Fresh-Air Poultry Houses was written by Dr. Prince T. Woods, a noted poultry health expert. Dr. Woods describes not only his own poultry houses, but those of many of his clients, giving the book a breadth of experience that makes it a unique resource. This 1924 book is old-fashioned and a little eccentric, but in a good way.
Fresh-Air Poultry Houses is a good example of the Norton Creek Press motto: "Most of the best books are out of print and forgotten, but we can fix that!"
No details are available for this product
Fresh Air Poultry Houses
Review Date: January 11, 2009
Reviewer: Valued Customer, Seattle
This guide was written when the family farm was the rule rather than the exception and therefore is full of useful information written in plain english for prospective or experienced aviculturists.
I was able to narrow down my choices for an appropriate coop design and avoid some pitfalls that used to be common knowledge.
This book is clear and precise in describing the requirements and techniques for safe and healthy poultry husbandry from backyard coops to much larger commercial operations.
Re-"freshing"!
Review Date: November 24, 2008
Reviewer: Lisa Jordan, USA
Thanks to Norton Creek Press for re-printing another wise, but out-of-print book!
What an eye opener, especially when it comes to winter flock management in cold, snowy, harsh climates like ours!
This book will change our winter management style--and make it a lot simpler. Our chickens will be more comfortable and healthy, and we'll have a lot less work to do!
Highly recommended for those who keep chickens for pleasure, as well as profit.
Great resocuce of older knowledge
Review Date: January 7, 2009
Reviewer: troutski, Sebastopol, Ca USA
The reprint books from Norton Creek Press are all gems of early poultry keeping. They predate mega farms, and have great insights into how it was done. As topical now, as in the day.
A big thanks to Robert for making these available.
Fresh Air Poultry Houses