Essential steps to build a chicken coop

Thinking of constructing a chicken coop for your farm? In this episode, Brian Nyakudanga, the CEO of Tamuka Oasis Farm, shares some essential tips to get you started.

According to Nyakudanga, placing your coop correctly is the first crucial step. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as chickens prefer shaded areas.

“Chickens are not supposed to be exposed to that much sunlight,” he shares. “So you might even have the right structure but if it is not sited properly, then you also have problems with the issue of how your birds are going to grow. So, the first thing is you just have to also cite the issue of environmental factors, where your sun rises and where your sun sets.”

Getting the design right

The ideal coop design will vary depending on your purpose. Meat production requires more space per chicken and a two-entrance system: one for entering and another for removing litter. Good ventilation is paramount to preventing chickens from suffocating, especially as they grow.

“You can construct something up to 1.5 metres with bricks. Then, making sure the mesh is properly stretched, you place it up to the roof with a three-millimetre spacing. The height of your chicken house should be between 2.8 and 3.5 metres to ensure proper ventilation. The necessity for adequate ventilation is particularly important for the meat industry since most poultry diseases are acquired through the air.”

He concludes that building a coop doesn’t require breaking the bank. Zinc sheets, steel mesh wire, and pine for framing are cost-effective and durable options.

In this episode, he also discusses:

Optimising egg collections;
Mistakes to avoid; and
Water and drainage systems.

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