Backyard chickens need shelter. They can roam around freely but this won’t guarantee protection from weather and predators. Therefore, having a house for your flock is a good idea.

If you want have your own chicken coop, you can build one fairly easily. You can also buy a pre-made one or buy a chicken coop kit.

Building from Scratch

It is not hard to construct a hen house on your own. You do not need to be a professional to finish this project. You just need time and determination if want choose this route.

Hen houses can be purchased locally or you can find one online. these hen houses are expensive and not very practical to buy. however, if you lack time and don’t want to assemble, purchasing a pre-made one is not a bad option.

The kits are like a mix of building a coop on your own and pre-built chicken coop. If you purchase a kit, you will get pre-cut and pre-drilled lumber. Your responsibility is to assemble all the parts together. the kit contains detailed instructions and list of tools to use. Measuring, sawing, drilling and cutting are eliminated from the process.

Advantages of Buying Kits

You will get the joy of building your own coop without doing too much work. Assembling the parts is still a fulfilling and fun activity for both you and your family.

No measuring and sawing means you will eliminate possibilities of wasting wood. the wood is already pre-cut. All you need to do is put it together.

Disadvantages of Buying Kits

Like, the premade ones, these kits are expensive. All the materials that you are going to use to construct your hen house are brand new. You can use the wood or metal lying around your house. also, you can’t be sure of the quality of the materials. the wood should be sturdy enough to withstand heavy rain and other environmental elements.

Choosing a Chicken Coop

If you search online, you will find that there are plenty of kits that are available. each kit are different but all have complete materials that are necessary to construct the chicken house. Plans and designs are usually included. Some of the kits are more complete. the kit might even include paint.

Keep in mind that majority of the kits do not include materials for the run area and even perch. Provisions for feeding and watering might not be part of the package as well.

If you are buying a chicken coop kit, choose the one which fits your needs. You can pick the no frills chicken coop kits if you are on a budget. then again, if you have money to burn, you can choose the more premium ones. the important thing to remember is to look for a kit which contains high-quality materials.