Chicken Arks and hen houses come in a range of shapes and sizes, suitable for different numbers and sizes of chicken. A good set of chicken coop plans could be all you need to get started. When you’re starting out in keeping chickens you need to ask some key questions to identify what sort of hen house to choose. What Kind of Chicken Coop? Start by working out what size and type of chicken house you will need. Ask yourself: • Whether you want a permanent structure or one you can move around • How much space you want to take up • How many chickens you are going to keep • What you want to spend • Whether you want an enclosed run • Whether you can build the chicken ark yourself You need about 4.5 sq ft of space per chicken, somewhere for them to scratch and peck around, space for them to perch (each bird needs 9 inches of perch length) and of course somewhere for them to lay eggs. Part of the chicken house should provide shelter from wind and rain, but chickens are surprisingly hardy and generally don’t need additional warmth – they will tend to huddle up together when its cold.

Free Range or Run? Many people let their chickens roam free, and choose a design without a run, shutting their chickens up in the house at night. Others prefer to give their chickens their own space but in a confined run. This will depend on whether you want your chickens in your vegetable patch and scratching around your prize blooms, or not. It’s also important to think about predators – some, like foxes, can be active even during the day. Chicken Ark, Hen House or Large Chicken Coop? Chicken arks have an integral run as part of the design. They either have a roosting space and nest boxes at one end, and an attached run (these are very easy to make and move around your yard), or they have run at the base and space above in the apex for the chickens to roost. A taller, rectangular hen house allows you to get inside the run and the house for cleaning, but will need a permanent site. With a larger flock of hens you will need a more sophisticated chicken house. Even this type is not hard to build from a good set of plans and instructions.

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