Avoid 5 Key Mistakes When Deciding on the Future Site of Your Chicken Sheds
Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010
by Joshua Hardingur
JMS
Is location a vital issue when making chicken sheds? The site location of the chicken coop is a topic that a great percentage of backyard poultry farmers do not deem crucial despite the fact that it is one of the single most vital issues in successfully keeping poultry. Making a poor choice, or no choice at all can lead to illness amongst the flock, decreased quantities of eggs, dirty and soiled eggs, and additional damaging consequences.
Possibly the one single issue that will most often take all the fun out of growing poultry is locating your chicken sheds in sites with poor soil drainage. This can result in water buildup, mud, drenched litter, sullied eggs, health disorders, and fewer eggs produced.
If the water is not able to drain well it can result in mud production. When chicken droppings are mixed with dirt and water, it can produce a contaminated mire. This will be tracked into the coop where the litter, food, water, and nesting boxes are found, causing the litter to become drenched and the eggs and nesting box to quickly get filthy. Hens must be provided with a clean dry shed to continue being happy and healthy and produce a large number of organic eggs.
Error #2: Building Poultry Sheds that are Facing A Bad Direction
When constructing a poultry house it needs to be facing southward if possible. This is a neccessity in regions where the winter months are severe. South facing poultry housing will have optimum sunlight which will provide two very important purposes. It will normally keep the chicken sheds warmer throughout the wintry weather which will normally help keep the inner area from getting too wet. And bear in mind, drier chicken sheds will supply you with additional eggs and less sickness.
Error #3: Not Choosing an Area that will offer Superior Air Circulation
Good air movement, as well as correctly placed windows, can allow clean air currents to circulate through the poultry house. This will certainly keep strong smells from rising to poisonous amounts and help maintain litter dryness.
Also, be familiar with the normal wind direction in your region. Chicken sheds should not be sited in areas with no wind breaks. If powerful winds are likely establish the coop where there is some type of protective wind break.
Error #4: Not Putting Poultry Housing Near Electricity and Water
Water and electricity are two factors that are not always given any thought before construction. However, manufacturing your housing next to these sources can save you a lot of labor and help you get more eggs from your pullets.
Being next to a water source will make it easy to add a simple automated watering system, eliminating the need for refilling or changing the bird's water containers every day. Electricity will allow you to put a light bulb in the interior of the chicken coop if desired. Hens need a bare minimum of 14 hours of light every day if you want them to provide you with eggs steadily. During the times of the year when there are fewer than 14 hours of daytime you can install additional light inside the chicken shed which can keep the chickens producing on a regular basis even through the winter. It typically takes just a solitary low-watt light bulb to do the trick.
Error #5: Not Allowing for Potential Expansion
Always keep your choices open. You may perhaps believe that you will never raise a larger quantity than 3 or 4 chickens, but it is still worthwhile to give yourself some additional breathing room. Even if you don't expect to increase the number of chickens you keep, it is generally a fine idea to set aside adequate amounts of room to do so if you change your mind.
You may perhaps think that a handful of chickens is plenty and erect your poultry shed in an area where there is no additional space for future expansion. Then again, if you should ever have a change of heart and decide to raise one or two dozen chickens you will want the additional room.
Joshua has grown chickens for over 25 years and has made all of his own poultry pens during those years. He is proficient in successfully growing poultry for meat and eggs. You can discover more with regard to constructing highly functional chicken sheds , successfully growing chickens, and other worthwhile instructions on his web site at http://www.chicken-ark.net .
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