Backyard Chicken Coop Design, Part 1

Welcome to living on the land, an award-winning source of useful information brought to you by your Oregon State University Extension Service. If you're thinking about building chicken coops, there are a few things to consider for how to best protect your poultry. Your coop design is important to your success. Raising backyard chickens, especially in providing a safe environment. A coupe can be made from many different new or recycled materials, including wood, plastic, and concrete, but most of all you want to make sure your chickens are safe and protected from harm. A coop should close and secure the flock inside at night to keep out rats, snakes, raccoons and skunks raised the coop about 1 foot off the ground. Used secure flooring such as a concrete slab or solid wood. Enclose the coop in a poultry run made of 1 by 2 inch mesh fencing and be sure to add netting over the top of the run Berry fencing up to 1 foot into the ground to protect chickens from predators that dig such as coyotes, foxes, rodents and dogs. Add a motion detector light outside the coop. Avoid growing large plants around the coop. They can shelter predators. To discourage unwanted wildlife, consider building the coop close to your house or other places where humans frequently go. For more information on chicken Coop basics, contact your local extension agent or download our companion publication about keeping backyard chickens at extension.oregonstate.edu. Check out our companion podcast about chicken Coop Essentials available from iTunes U.