Chicken Coop For 10 Hens
Then, you lot are planning to build your own craven coop.
Don't panic. Have a deep breath!
If you are concerned that you won't be able to read the coop plans and be too technical, you are not alone.
I cannot read and execute building plans to save my life, nonetheless I have built a total of 8 coops so far, with more than to come. The chickens don't care if the corners aren't square or it is not the prettiest building in town – information technology is draft-free, dry, and keeps them safe and warm.
The point is, don't be intimidated. You tin can do this!
Below we accept 46 free DIY chicken coop plans with simple step-by-step instructions. Nosotros volition also give yous some full general guidelines about coops to assistance smooth the path for yous.
The biggest hurdle is getting over your fears or anxieties, so sit downwardly, have a glass of vino or a cup of tea and read on!
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Step-by-Step Instructions
What are the 'Must Haves' of a DIY Coop?
Earlier nosotros get to the plans, let'southward take a look at what your coop must provide for your hens.
The must-have list is adequately short but essential:
- Sufficient space for the hens
- It keeps chickens in and predators out.
- Ventilation
- Draft complimentary
- Easy to clean and sanitize with good drainage
- Protection from the elements
Let'due south look at each 1 of these in turn below.
How Big Should Your Coop Be?
To answer this question, y'all have to know what chickens yous are getting. Are they bantams or large fowl? Are they considered standard size or extra-large such as Jersey Giants?
If you have ordered a hatchery, they ordinarily have a helpful section in the itemize that volition requite you space requirements for chickens.
In general, the following infinite requirements apply:
- Bantams – 2sq.ft./bird in the coop, 4sq.ft/bird in the run.
- Standard large fowl – 4sq.ft/bird in the coop, 8sq.ft in the run.
- Extra-large birds – minimum ft/bird in the coop, 8sq.ft in the run.
Equally a note in the plans beneath, nosotros've assumed 3 square feet per chicken.
A note of caution here – these are minimum space requirements per bird. If you can build bigger, practice so. You volition likely go more birds; this is known every bit 'craven math' or 'more hens' disease'!
The coop can be tall enough for you to walk into, or small enough for the hens and nothing else, your choice.
My preference is a walk-in coop because I don't want to be leaning over to see what's going on inside the coop or leaning in to 'muck out' regularly.
Size requirements in the coop are really essential for the birds' well-being, especially in the winter months. Your pretty, lovable hens will outset picking and plucking at each other if they don't accept sufficient room in shut confinement.
Information technology can be gruesome, so don't skimp on space for your girls.
Information technology really is important that you take an attached run area to your coop for extra infinite. If you don't have a run and want to proceed your hens locked upwardly all the fourth dimension, the confined space requirements volition be significantly more than.
Advantages of Building your Own Chicken Coop
The easiest and well-nigh plentiful textile for coop building is wood.
If you decide to build your own coop, you lot can relieve a lot of money past using freely available stuff, such as wooden pallets. Businesses give pallets away free just to become rid of them. As long every bit the wood is heat-treated, it is fine to build with.
Building your ain coop also means you lot go the verbal coop you lot want! Something unique that perfectly meets your needs.
A word of caution here – many websites I visited researching this article advocated for using chicken wire to encompass windows and also in the run area.
Chicken wire is designed to keep chickens in simply volition not continue predators out.
If you are concerned nearly keeping predators out, I recommend reading our article all most automatic chicken coop doors.
You should apply wire mesh (hardware cloth) no larger than ½ inch for at least the bottom three feet of the run. You can, if you wish, utilize chicken wire higher up.
Raccoons tin can and will bite through craven wire to get to your birds; hardware mesh volition keep them out.
This applies to all openings, too – windows and vents.
Using anything larger than ½ inch invites weasels and other pocket-sized critters to visit your girls…non something you desire to happen.
Coop Ventilation and Access
Without a doubt, ventilation to the coop is vital. In summer, the vents will allow the warmer air out, keeping the coop libation, and in wintertime, information technology allows the warm, moist stale air out.
Moist air in the coop during the colder months will give your birds frostbite to the combs and wattles, especially breeds with large combs and wattles.
It is the combination of cold and moisture on a warm comb that causes the trouble.
As opposite as it might sound, ventilation will release the moisture from the coop.
A well-ventilated coop will reduce problems to an absolute minimum.
How big a vent and where to put information technology? The vent should be up well-nigh the ceiling, well above the heads of your chickens (remember, no drafts).
The general rule of thumb is 1sq.ft of vent per 10sq.ft of floor space in colder climates.
In warmer areas, more is better to maintain an ambient temperature in the coop. At temperatures over 90F, the chickens will get-go to be stressed, which leads to issues.
A window in the coop will ideally be due south facing just can be placed elsewhere except the northward side. The window will let sunlight into the coop and add extra ventilation likewise.
Admission to the coop for y'all should be a standard-sized door so that you don't cleft your head every time y'all enter.
Chicken admission is via a 'pop' door. A pop door is merely a hole cut into the coop nearly 12 inches alpine and 14 inches wide. The extra width allows for two birds to pass in the doorway.
Frequently you will have a hen that likes to sit in the doorway, and so the extra space allows others to come and go.
Location, Location, Location
Try to take into consideration all the things that might limit the desirability or accessibility of the coop.
Write yourself a listing of desirable things for coop location:
- Dry ground, good drainage
- In a sunny spot but shaded from the midday heat
- Easily accessible for yous
- Somewhat sheltered from bad weather – as an example, you would not want to place the coop on a loftier spot prone to strong winds.
Earlier you kickoff building your coop, visit your site area in the morning time, afternoon, and evening and see how the time of day affects the area. Recollect about information technology for a few days before deciding if the spot is correct for yous.
If you alive in an urban setting, make sure the zoning laws allow you to put up a coop in your yard and go along chickens.
Sadly, many municipalities do non allow chickens in the boondocks or hamlet or only allow a certain number of hens. There are likely to be rules nigh where yous can identify your coop too – such as a minimum of half dozen feet from the neighbors' fence.
Information technology is your responsibleness to check out the rules and regulations. Don't want to wade through the village by-laws?
Enquire your local code enforcement/zoning official; they should exist able to help y'all.
Hen Piece of furniture: What to Include Inside the Coop
Thankfully, hens don't crave TV, net access, or most of the things we humans deem necessary. They do need some bones 'furniture' though.
A roosting perch is essential for them when they are old enough to perch. This perch provides the sleeping area for the hens. They will snuggle together on the bar in winter and spread out a bit during the warmer months.
Roosting perches should permit for 8-12 inches of space per bird. Chickens sleep 'flat-footed,' and so the perch should be between 2-4 inches wide for their comfort.
The ideal height from the floor should exist 18-24 inches. Any higher and heavier hens run the gamble of leg or foot injury when jumping down. Bantams seem to relish higher perches since they fly so well.
Recollect carefully where you will put your roost; birds poop over 70% of the total daily debris at night. If you plan carefully, yous tin can easily contain something like 'poop boards,' poop hammock, or other ways to collect and remove the poop mountains.
Tip: don't place your nest boxes nether the roost.
I utilize old discarded professional person blistering trays – they are solid metal trays nigh 18×24 inches that sit nether the roosts. They are easy to lift out and empty every bit necessary.
Nest boxes are the second necessity for hens. The gold rule is ane nest box for every 3-four hens, although they volition usually have one favorite box, and all will desire to use it!
Standard-sized birds will fit nicely into a 12 x 12-inch box situated about 12 inches off the floor. Nest boxes should be placed in the darkest part of the coop since hens exercise similar a little privacy when laying their eggs. If you lot have huge birds such as Jersey Giants, the nest box will have to exist larger to accommodate the hens. Bantams require much less infinite – about 6 inches per box, but they can and will use the 'big girls' nest boxes.
Of course, you will need feeders and drinkers for your flock. The feeder can be hung in the coop, just leave the drinker outside otherwise;, it will contribute excess moisture to the coop's air.
If your chickens spend about of their fourth dimension in confinement, y'all may want to consider adding a bathtub to their home. And when I say bathtub, I mean a dust bathing area.
Chickens take dust baths to control the oils on their bodies and protect themselves from external parasites. If your birds are in solitude, a dust bath is non-negotiable. Birds that live in enclosures are more susceptible to contracting parasites. Thus they need access to a identify to take their daily baths.
If yous don't provide one, they will undoubtedly try to brand one, even if it is among their debris.
Dust baths too provide an element of entertainment for your chickens. If you've ever seen a chicken bathing themselves, you'll notice they appear relaxed and content. Think of a dust bath box as a spa for your chickens.
It doesn't have to be large, and all you lot demand is some dirt, diatomaceous globe, or sand. You can utilise a mixture of these elements to create a lovely dirt bath for your chickens. They will dear it.
Go on the dust bath away from the roost and feed areas to prevent excessive dropping from falling into it.
Chicken Coop Plans
This small chicken coop will house two-3 chickens and costs under $150 to build. It has two hinged doors – one for access to the main area and the second to collect the nest box's eggs. Information technology'll take yous effectually ane and a half days to build.
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This stride-by-stride pedagogy pack shows you how to build a 4 × 6 chicken coop that will business firm 10-12 hens. It has a large door for access, an external nest box, and a pitched roof. It can be congenital on stilts, then it'south ideal if you lot don't want your coop to touch on the ground.
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This plan provides yous with exact dimensions to create a large chicken coop for at to the lowest degree 25 chickens. With opening windows and a full-size door, this is a luxury coop for larger flocks. With 100 foursquare anxiety of flooring infinite, it'due south one of the more hard plans to build.
Go This Coop
Complete with a detailed materials list, this program includes 3D sketches of the design and a real-life version for your convenience. This large 128 square human foot coop is easier to build and can firm more than 25 chickens.
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The Chicken Mansion is well built and attractive looking coop, consummate with a porch. The coop is 8 × 8 ft. with a 4 x 8 ft. porch attached. We've rated this as one of the more difficult builds because it takes a lot of fourth dimension and attempt, only the results are dandy.
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This narrow simply alpine coop is platonic for simply ane-6 chickens, only its height allows a person to go within and clean it out. It's easy, all the same slightly more than on the expensive side to build. The roof is quite easy to attach, though, as it is just one sloped side.
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You can easily build this foursquare-shaped programme from recycled materials, and it'due south alpine enough to walk into. Information technology'south viii × viii square feet and tin house between 13-24 chickens. The Clutch Hutch has a sloping roof, which allows half dozen feet of head height at the front end and 4 anxiety at the dorsum.
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If you're looking for a unique and different-shaped chicken coop, this ane is for you. It has a dropdown side to make cleaning easy. At 32 square feet, it will give you enough space for 12 chickens. The programme also includes instructions for calculation ventilation to forbid overheating.
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This 96 square pes coop has both a full-size door and a craven door at either terminate. The ramp cleverly doubles equally the chicken door. The plans include hand-sketched dimensions of diverse parts and footstep-past-pace photos of it being built.
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This coop was built to exist like Fort Knox, keeping out predators. It has a locked outside the door for egg collection and a slanted steel roof. The plans include detailed photographs of the sweetness but sturdy-looking coop beingness built.
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These 22 square foot coop plans come complete with a video and step-by-step pictures of the coop being built. It has shutter windows with a wire mesh backside it. It can firm vii-12 chickens and is relatively cheap to build.
Become This Coop
This insulated craven coop is a cube shape with an interesting roof. In that location are windows on every side of the coop and upwards at the top to permit light in. The Egg Establish can firm 7-12 chickens, although it's quite expensive and difficult to build.
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The Feather Factory is 20 square feet and tin house seven-12 chickens. It has a sloped overhanging roof and opening hatch windows on each side of the coop. There is even an opening in the roof for ventilation purposes.
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The program set comes with a very detailed materials list and step-by-step pictures of the coop being congenital. Fowl Play is a large coop of 100 square feet that tin house over 25 chickens. Information technology's also relatively easy to build for its size.
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The original coop of this plan prepare was congenital using the materials of an old garage. This drastically reduces costs. It has a fantastically shaped roof with lots of windows to let light in. It almost looks like a tiny home! It'southward ideal for a big flock of chickens every bit information technology can agree over 25.
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This plan will help you create a tiny, 8 square foot chicken coop. It would make an ideal build for a beginner chicken keeper and has a rustic look to it. It's straightforward and inexpensive to build and would probably business firm 4 or fewer chickens.
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Hen Haven is a luxurious and large craven coop. It can house over 25 chickens and looks more similar a small annex. It's 120 square feet, has two French doors for access, a sliding chicken door, and sliding windows fit for a real business firm.
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This simple box-shaped design has been finished with cedar shakes to give it a cute finish. The nesting box is on the interior, with a hinged door to access the eggs. Information technology has ventilation to a higher place the big front door and sweet house-like windows.
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This plan set takes you through a gallery of pictures to complete the build. It also includes a small run area. At merely ten foursquare anxiety, it can business firm i-half-dozen chickens. It is of average cost and difficulty to build. Information technology provides several examples of how the coop can be finished on the exterior.
Become This Coop
Hope Hut is a 60 square foot box-shaped coop with a pitched roof. Information technology can house xiii-24 chickens, and it's extremely cheap to build. The plan incorporates natural branches to make roosts for the birds. On the front wall, there is also a large admission door and window.
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This lovely coop looks like a postcard cottage. With flower boxes nether the windows and a red outside, it would make a perfect coop for someone who wants to lavish their chickens. It's one of the largest coops we feature. At 192 square feet, it tin easily business firm over 25 birds.
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This beautiful coop is a little labor of love and would make an ideal plan for someone who wants to create something actress special. It'due south raised 32 inches off the ground to deter predators and is very functional in that y'all can practice all the cleaning, access, and getting eggs without going within.
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This monster of a coop has three rooms – ii large rooms at either end and one small room as y'all first walk in. In the 160 foursquare feet of flooring space, you could firm over 25 chickens, so it'd make a perfect coop for a large flock.
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The coop was constructed similarly to a modular home. It was all synthetic separately and so assembled in place. Monks Coop is only 15 square feet, and so that it tin house just half-dozen or fewer chickens, but information technology's quite piece of cake and cheap to build.
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This 10 × 8-human foot coop has a gable roof that can house between 13 and 24 chickens. The plans include detailed drawings of each side'due south dimensions and then step-past-step photos of the entire build. Considering the size, it's one of the easier big coop plans to build.
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This large coop will firm at to the lowest degree 25 chickens. At 96 foursquare feet, it has a large door for access, windows on each side, and a small opening for the chickens with a ramp downwards. The roof is i continuous slope which makes it really like shooting fish in a barrel to put on.
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The Palace Chicken Coop is a combined coop and runs with an external nesting box. It has flap windows that can be propped open up and ventilation holes around the height. The roof slopes from the front end to the back, and there is a small access door. This coop is suitable for vii-12 chickens.
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The Pallet Palace was built using 22 oak pallets. This makes the build quick and efficient. The plans include detailed photos of all the steps from showtime to finish. It has 28 square feet of floor space and tin house vii-12 chickens. It's likewise extremely cheap to build if y'all can source costless pallets.
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This craven coop is both pretty and functional. Built upon a stilted base, it has an external egg box with a hinged sloped roof. There are as well two further access doors and ventilation along the top of the front panel. This coop will business firm up to 6 chickens.
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This small coop is built upward on stilts and has two hinged doors. One opens downwards to remove the eggs, and one opens like a normal door for access. At 16 foursquare feet, yous'll be able to go on a maximum of 6 chickens in the Riverton.
Become This Coop
This is a mid-sized coop that will house between 13 and 24 chickens. Information technology'due south quite inexpensive and easy to build, and then that it would suit a starting time-time craven keeper. Information technology has a stable-type door that can be opened at the lesser, the top, or both.
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Rural Rehatch is a stunning rustic-looking coop that is 8 × eight anxiety. It has a slightly sloped roof and a large entrance door. This plan includes a materials list, sketches, and photos of the original build. It volition house betwixt 13-24 chickens and is relatively like shooting fish in a barrel to build.
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South City is a narrow only long coop which might suit slim a garden or yard. At that place are double doors for access and a side hatch for the chickens. This tiny 8 square foot coop will exist big enough for up to vi chickens, although it's quite tricky to build.
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This tiny coop would be ideal for those who want to proceed chickens but don't take much outdoor space. At only 8 foursquare anxiety, y'all'll exist able to keep a maximum of half-dozen chickens. The Southern Maine is one of the easiest and cheapest plans available.
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This pocket-sized chicken coop looks similar a little house in the country. Information technology has plant boxes under the windows and roofing tiles. The exterior nesting box opens upwards to collect eggs. The whole coop is raised on stilts to allow plenty of space underneath, which could be sectioned off equally a run.
Become This Coop
The Nest Egg is suitable for a medium-sized flock of thirteen-24 chickens. Information technology has a floor space of 38 square anxiety and has a full-sized entrance door. The external nesting box is double-tiered to make the most of the space. The coop is also insulated, which is platonic for libation climates.
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The original coop that this programme is based on costs a mere $40 to build. So, if you have access to lots of recycled materials, it would exist good for those on a budget. At only 16 foursquare feet, information technology will house a maximum of six chickens.
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This small cube-shaped coop looks similar a miniature cottage. The windows are framed with petty shutters, and in that location is an outside nesting box to permit for piece of cake collection of eggs. It's only 9 square feet and will house upwardly to half dozen chickens.
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This small craven firm incorporates both a coop and a run. Information technology has a small door for access, and the bottom of one of the sides opens up to permit for easy cleaning. It will house up to half dozen chickens. Although it'due south cheap to build, information technology's on the more than technical side to construct.
Go This Coop
This coop is perfect for a small flock of urban chickens. It doesn't take up much space, and it'due south raised off the ground to allow them to roam underneath as well. It'll house up to 6 chickens, and it'due south fairly inexpensive to build.
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The gable-roofed coop is of medium size and tin can house betwixt 13-24 chickens. It'south quite difficult and expensive to build, only its finish is high-quality and durable. The mainframe is built using pallets – quite a unique and quick mode to build a coop.
Become This Coop
The White Coop is 1 of the smaller and easier build plans. It's a very simple triangular-shaped coop that requires much fewer materials than most. It has a minor access door at the forepart for cleaning purposes and for the chickens to roam in and out.
Become This Coop
This Wichita Cabin Coop is a small, simple, and piece of cake-to-utilize coop – perfect for a small backyard flock. It will business firm up to half-dozen chickens and one of the more difficult plans packs we feature. It has an external nesting box and a slanted roof, which gets lower toward the back.
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This comprehensive programme pack contains 34 detailed pages of instructions. It has materials lists, 3D elevations, diagrams of the framing, and step-by-step pictorial instructions. Zelda can house up to 20 chickens, and it'll take 3-4 days to build. The overall cost volition be around $450.
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This is a simple chicken coop. Information technology has materials lists, 3D elevations, diagrams of the framing, and step-by-step pictorial instructions. The Tangled Nest Coop tin can house up to 5 big hens, and information technology'll take 3-4 days to build. The overall cost will be around $300.
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Shed Chicken Coop Programme
This comprehensive coop lays it all out for yous. It has materials lists, 3D elevations, diagrams of the framing, and stride-by-footstep pictorial instructions. The Shed Craven Coop programme can firm upwardly to 12 chickens, and it'll have 3-4 days to build. The overall cost volition be effectually $450.
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Our Option for All-In-Ane Automated Craven Coop Door
Sale
Run Chicken
- Works Rain or Smoothen so you don't accept to let them out in inclement conditions.
- Become ahead and get those extra hours of sleep or proceed vacation, our door has you covered.
- Protect your Chickens from Predators with our self-locking feature
Our Option of Treats for Our Chickens
Chicken Coop Plans: Summary
Whatever y'all make up one's mind for your coop, information technology needs to be comfortable for both your hens and you. Try to ensure that the coop pattern suits both you and them with aplenty space for the girls and easy cleaning for you.
If I had one tip, it would be to brand the coop slightly larger than yous need!
This way, you can add together a few more hens to your flock without needing to build some other coop.
Finally, call back you can do this!
I cannot read building plans at all, even so I have built a full of 8 coops; don't exist intimidated!
Common Questions About DIY Chicken Coop Plans
If you are still unsure about using DIY chicken coop plans, you may accept more questions that need addressing. The following should help give you enough confidence to try one of the above plans.
Is It Cheaper to Build Your Own Chicken Coop?
In virtually cases, information technology will be cheaper to build your own craven coop. Every bit a bonus, it becomes much easier to control your budget and the features you want to include, every bit y'all won't find yourself having to pay extra for something you don't necessarily demand.
How Do You Make a Simple Chicken Coop?
A uncomplicated craven coop can feature the frame from an old swing gear up with support metal over it. Then, add corrugated iron sheeting, capping, a door, and chicken wire. Or check out the 44 DIY chicken coop plans above, every bit they range from elementary to complex.
How Much Does Information technology Toll to Build Your Own Craven Coop?
On boilerplate, building your own chicken coop will cost anywhere from $300 to $2,000. The toll depends on the size, cloth, styles, and other factors.
How Many Chickens Can You Put in a 4×8 Coop?
You can typically put virtually 10 to 11 chickens comfortably and safely in a iv×viii coop. This is based on the thought that each hen needs about iii to four square feet.
Is Raising Chickens Cheaper Than Buying Eggs?
If you but buy eggs when they're cheap, raising chickens will not be more affordable. Nevertheless, if you always get fresh eggs from the farmers market, you will likely save money.
Most importantly – accept fun in your new venture! Make sure to send united states photos of your new coop and leave comments below…
Read Runted Chickens: Breeds, Egg Laying, Size and Care Guide
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Chicken Coop For 10 Hens,
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