Building a Poultry Shed

When preparing to build a poultry shed, keep some ideas in mind to be sure you stay within your budget and get the project done successfully the first time.

Whether you are new to building or have a lot of experience, remember poultry shed plans should include certain aspects that will make a good environment for the health of the animals.

Get DIY plans for building a poultry shed-click here

Your plans should include specific fundamentals for each part of the building plan. Here, we offer some tips to keep in mind when comparing poultry shed plans.

Tip #1 Follow the specific poultry house plan you have selected

• You can always get creative later with paint or add-on materials. However, since you are building a structure for animals, it’s important you understand the blueprints, dimensions and measurements of the plan.
   
• Many good plans make it easy with lots of illustrations and materials and tools lists.
  
• If you feel that you will want to add on size or a larger outdoor run later, be sure to choose a plan that accommodates add-ons. These will usually have guides within the plan for adding on elements later.

Tip #2 Include windows in your plan

• Chickens do well when they have adequate daylight everyday. You will notice egg production levels are high when they have natural daylight.
  
• Choose the location of the poultry shed carefully, making the most of the natural sunlight.
  
• You should place the windows on the sunniest side of the poultry shed. Depending on the size of the structure, use at least one window and as many windows as the plan recommends.
  
• Use windows that open like sash windows or windows that swing out. In this way you double the benefits by increasing circulation in the poultry shed.

Tip #3 Select the right spot for the poultry shed

By choosing the right spot for the poultry shed, you will make the blueprint work for you that much more.

• Pick a space that is the flattest you can find in your yard. Unless you go for a portable plan, you will want a space that allows for good drainage and so finding the highest elevated spot is a good idea.
  
• Make sure you have a solid base for the poultry shed or you may face structure problems down the road. Many good blueprints will show you how to landscape for the best poultry shed base. 

Tip #4 Follow good chicken care practices

Your chickens will stay healthy and disease free if you make sure to follow good cleaning practices.

• Use compostable bedding litter for the poultry shed floor. Clean out soiled bedding everyday to make sure the poultry shed is a good environment for you and for the chickens.
  
• You will want to spend more time in there if it is fresh and clean. Rinse out water dispensers daily and disinfect and rinse on a schedule.
  
• Clean out nesting boxes to encourage hens to continue to lay eggs.
  
• Prevent illness by using fresh feed, and store the feed in a very dry environment.

 By following these tips you will find your chickens produce eggs regularly and stay healthy. You will have a successful building project by using poultry shed plans that fit your yard area, budget and chicken needs.

 These are the plans I settled on:

They really worked for me and I got the chicken coop I wanted within my budget and my building skills. I highly recommend you check out Building a Chicken Coop.

Bill Keene's guide is the ultimate to planning and building your own coop in your backyard. In includes drafts of plans, dimensions, materials lists and sources to everything you need to build a sustainable chicken coop.