Monday 3 October 2011

How to Keep Chickens - The Top 3 Reasons You Need a Backyard Chicken Coop For Your Hens

If you're interested in how to keep chickens in your yard, the first thing you need to realize is that one of the most important aspects to keeping healthy chickens that produce high quality eggs, is to provide them with a safe, comfortable living space. Here are the top three reasons you need to provide your chickens with a backyard coop.

1) A coop will keep your chickens sheltered from extreme weather conditions.

Chickens are sensitive to the weather just like people are, and while chickens are a little better suited to living outdoors, they still don't like extreme weather. Too much heat, too much cold or too much dampness can all have an effect on your chickens health, and on the quality of eggs they produce. Building a coop will give your chickens shelter from the cold in the winter months, and shelter from the heat in the summer months. It'll also protect them from rain and snow.

2) A coop will keep your chickens safe from hungry predators.

There are more than a few animals commonly found in urban and suburban areas that would be more than glad to snack on your chickens. Foxes, weasels, racoons, and even common dogs, can all be a serious threat to your chickens. A dead or severely injured chicken won't produce eggs, so it's in your best interest to keep your chickens safe from such animals. A well built coop will provide exactly that protection.

3) A coop will help keep your chickens centralized in one area.

A coop is the perfect solution to keep your chickens in order. Penning them in with simple chicken wire fences is not only ineffective, but it lacks the solutions to the weather and predator problems mentioned in the last two points. A coop will keep your chickens safe and comfortable, but it also keeps them from taking over your yard! No one wants to give up their entire yard to keep chickens, so a well placed coop will allow you to have them without having to let them have the run of your yard.

There are many more reasons why it's in your best interests to keep your chickens in a good backyard coop. Coops don't have to be expensive, and in fact, can be very cheap without sacrificing quality if you opt to build it yourself. No special skills are required to build a chicken coop, just a willingness and a good set of plans and instructions. Regardless of whether you choose to buy or build though, always remember that keeping your chickens healthy and comfortable is the only way to ensure they produce high quality eggs!

For instructions on how to cheaply and easily build your own quality chicken coop, click here to check out Building a Chicken Coop. This guide will provide you with easy to follow plans for a variety of chicken coops that are affordable, easy to construct and don't require any specialized tools!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Rhoads

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