Ever considered raising chickens but have no idea where to start? You’re not alone. Raising chickens is a trend more and more homeowners are embracing. First off, raising chickens gives kids the opportunity to participate in raising and caring for animals that feed the family. And, once you’ve tasted a homegrown, farm-raised egg, there’s no turning back.
So now that you are ready to raise chickens, there are some things to consider. In this Done-in-a-Weekend Project video, host and expert backyard designer, Doug Scott, will walk you through what to consider before building a chicken coop and raising chickens. That’s right, you need to think about where the chickens will live. And, what type of chicken coop set-up is right for your family?
A note of caution. If you are planning to raise chickens, make sure it’s legal to raise chickens where you live. Check your local ordinances and homeowners’ association covenants to make sure they will allow you to raise chickens.
Once you’ve got the green light, Scott talks you through the next steps.
Considerations for raising chickens:
- Will you be converting an existing structure, buying an off-the-shelf premade coop or doing a custom build?
- What is your budget?
- How many chickens will you have? You’ll need to make sure your chicken coop is large enough to hold all of your chickens and allows enough space for them to run.
- How many nesting boxes do you plan to have and how will you access them? Nesting boxes are where your hens will lay eggs.
- Will there be a water source nearby your chicken coop? And how do you plan to store the chicken feed?
- Ultimately, you’ll also need to evaluate what predators you have in the neighborhood and how you can best keep your chickens protected.
- Lastly, if you love spending time in your backyard then Scott recommends considering the design of your chicken coop and how it fits the rest of the yard. He’s got plenty of ideas to help you make the chicken coop happen!
For more like this, check out: Inviting Nature: How to Attract Birds and Butterflies to Your Yard
