Step-by-step instructions on how to quickly build a chicken coop for 50 chickens with your own hands
Many poultry farmers are interested in how you can build a chicken coop with your own hands for 50 chickens. This is a complex process that requires adherence to a number of recommendations. In this case, it is necessary not only to build a structure, but also to provide proper lighting and ventilation. Warming the chicken coop for the winter is of no small importance. It is also worth worrying about the interior space of the room.
Technical design features
To achieve success in breeding chickens, it is worth following many recommendations.
Calculating dimensions
The size of the house is selected taking into account the breed:
- Large - there should be 2-3 birds per 1 square meter. For 30 chickens, they make a room with an area of 10 square meters.
- Small and medium - 4-5 chickens should fall on 1 square meter.
- Chicks - there are 14 individuals per 1 square meter.
Drafting a project
First of all, it is worth making a positional plan of the chicken coop. After choosing a place, a construction project is developed, its area is measured, and the location of doors and windows is determined.
The choice of localization of perches and nests is also important.
Drawing
The drawing is recommended to reflect the general plan of the chicken coop. It should contain information on the localization of lighting sources, ventilation, heating devices.
Materials and tools
To build a house, it is worth preparing the following:
- cement, stones - this is required for the foundation;
- wood or brick - for walls;
- galvanized mesh;
- clay;
- sand;
- lime;
- slate;
- boards;
- doors and windows.
Choosing a place on the site
When choosing the location of the chicken coop, you should focus on the features of the landscape. Avoid placing the house in low places. This will negatively affect the health of the chickens. It is better to locate the building on the southern slope.
How to make a chicken coop for 50 chickens with your own hands
To make a high-quality chicken coop, you should think over its design to the smallest detail.
Construction equipment
Before starting construction, it is worth preparing everything you need. In this case, it is recommended to use building materials and tools.
Construction of the foundation
To make the foundation, it is worth marking out the territory and driving in the bars in the corners. It is then recommended to dig a hole. Pour sand at the bottom.Then make a mortar based on cement, sand, crushed stone. Fill the recess with the resulting product. After 2-3 days, the solution will dry out. At this stage, it is allowed to proceed to the next works.
Building walls
If a tiled foundation was made, it is permissible to use bricks or blocks for the walls. A wooden frame is suitable for a columnar foundation.
It is recommended to treat the walls with lime.
Installation of doors and windows
The windows are best placed on the south side. There can be several doors. It is permissible to use an entrance flap, a manhole for walking out, a ventilation door.
Roof assembly
A gable roof is most suitable for a chicken coop. It helps to increase the height of the ceiling. It is recommended to cover the roof with slate or metal tiles.
Organization of a walking paddock
The dimensions of this zone should be 1.5-1.8 meters. It should be protected with a metal mesh. A canopy should be made on top to protect the chickens from rain.
Warming
In cold weather, it is worth insulating all parts of the chicken coop. For this, blocks of foam are used. It is also permissible to cover the walls with shingles, and apply plaster on top.
Ventilation
The ventilation system supplies fresh air and removes harmful gases. It is made natural or shaped with pipes.
Lighting
For normal productivity, birds need 14 hours of daylight. The light intensity should be 5-15 lux in the nest area and 50-60 lux in the trough area.
Poultry house arrangement
When organizing a chicken coop, you should worry about its contents. The house should contain perches, nests, feeders and drinkers.
Perches
Depending on the installation area, the following types of perches are used:
- perches - are found most often and are placed at an angle along the wall;
- bars - allow you to arrange the birds at the same height and thereby make them calmer;
- hygienic perch - is a moving structure that includes a table and perches.
Nests
There should be 2 nests for 10 chickens. They can be of different types:
- simple - resemble ordinary food boxes;
- with a collection of eggs - in this case, the nests are equipped with a cell with a slope of 10 degrees;
- booth - in appearance it resembles an ordinary booth.
Feeders and drinkers
Feeders can be of the following types:
- bunker - suitable for dry food;
- tray - used for feeding chickens and hens;
- chutes - suitable for all types of feed.
Drinking bowls can be of the following types:
- vacuum;
- automatic;
- simple.
Litter
The use of bedding allows you to avoid infections, joint damage, and high mortality. It has the following types:
- deep - made of straw or grass;
- shallow - includes sawdust, shavings, small straw.
The thickness of the litter should be 10-15 centimeters. With the onset of winter, it is worth loosening and mixing the litter with the droppings.
In this case, the litter layer is raised to 25 centimeters.
Rules for keeping a chicken coop for 50 individuals
Before settling in chickens, the room needs preparation:
- First of all, it should be cleaned. To do this, sweep all surfaces with a broom, remove dust and debris.
- Carry out wet cleaning with a solution of potassium permanganate.
- Treat with disinfectants - Vercon, Virocid.
Preventive treatment of the chicken coop is carried out annually. It is worth removing droppings from the house every week as they are the cause of many diseases..
Possible mistakes
Common mistakes when organizing a chicken coop include the following:
- lack of high-quality ventilation;
- the location of the house in the lowlands;
- lack of a walking yard;
- incorrect location of nests and perches;
- incorrect litter composition.
It is difficult to build a chicken coop for 50 individuals. In order for the birds to develop normally and not get sick, it is worth following a number of recommendations.
