Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
waterer is similar to the water bottles hamsters use and is designed to keep water clean. You
also can find water cups that attach to cages. Purchase a water bowl heater if necessary to pre-
vent water from freezing in cold weather. This product is not necessary but will ensure that
your birds have water available even in frigid temperatures.
Preparing for Your Coop
Once you know what your coop will need and you have the location and the equipment, you
are ready for the coop. You can design your own plans or find blueprints online. Prices vary,
but some are free. Select a design based on your skill level and ability to read the plans as
well as your flock's needs. Here are some websites that can help:
• Green Roof Chicken Coop (
www.greenroofchickencoop.com
) — This website offers
plans, precut coop kits, and assembled coops for sale.
• Build Eazy (
www.buildeazy.com
) — This website offers a variety of build-at-home pro-
jects. You can access free, step-by-step instructions on how to build a coop at home, and
the instructions will include a list of materials and photos of what your project should
look like.
• Brain Garage (
www.braingarage.com
)
— This website provides free plans for a chicken
coop, along with a variety of building plans for other projects. This website offer tips,
designs, and some plans you can download free.
Because no one wants to look at a shabby building, you can paint or decorate the outside of
your chickens' home. However, do not paint the inside of the coop. Chickens like to peck, and
the chemicals they ingest will be passed on to the eggs they lay that your family will eat.
Also, paint could be toxic to the flock.
Chickens have an innate need to scratch and dig at the sand with their claws. They love to
roam in gardens and on grass to forage for bugs and worms. Bantams will be lighter and easi-
er on your landscape. Chickens also need dirt. They do not bathe in water but instead roll
around in the dust and consider this a luxury. Their coat of feathers is made up of oils that the
dust helps dry out. They also preen themselves, which keeps them clean by getting rid of
built-up oil. Chickens love to sunbathe, and the sun provides them with vitamin D and assists
in their overall health.
