Building a chicken coop is a great way to enjoy a rewarding hobby. Chickens thrive in the backyard, and they provide eggs for the kitchen. In addition, the birds eat insects and will also get rid of kitchen scraps.
Backyard coops are easy to build, but they need to keep predators out. Raccoons, foxes, snakes, hawks and dogs enjoy fresh chicken, and a small diameter fence is essential.
Best Chicken Coop Materials
The best chicken coop materials are designed to keep pests out and chickens in.
Galvanized hardware cloth is one of the best chicken coop materials. The fencing should have 1/2-inch holes to ensure no predators get in.
The cloth comes in various widths and lengths. The mesh is rust resistant and is formed from steel that has been dipped in zinc.
The material is stiff, but it is easily bent by hand.
Wire snips can cut the material to the proper size. The cloth should be attached to fence posts with specialized staples.
Chicken wire is a thin wire that features hexagonal openings. The wire is relatively cheap, and it will rust quickly.
It also allows raccoons inside a run. Chicken wire is a good choice for a daytime yard, but it does not provide adequate protection for night coops.
Chain link fencing is another option. The material is made from steel and will usually last for several decades. Chain link requires little maintenance and keeps predators at bay.
It is possible for some animals to stick their paws inside the fence, and there should be plenty of room for chickens to retreat.
Rabbit wire fencing is a welded wire that has small rectangular openings. The holes are small enough to keep out most predators, and the material is more durable than chicken wire.
Rabbit fencing is also perfect to attach to floors of large arks. Chickens can still scratch at the ground, but no predators can get them.
A structure is also needed to keep chickens out of the weather. The best chicken coop materials include wood that is designed for exterior use.
Cedar and redwood are common options and are known for their rot resistance. These woods may cost more than other options, but they are designed to last for decades with little maintenance.
Treated lumber is not recommended. The lumber is usually finished with chemicals that can be dangerous for chickens.
Regular lumber also works, but it may need to be primed and painted. Any quality paint will do and should provide years of protection.
The best chicken coop materials serve a number of purposes. First, the animals need an area that allows them to roam and protects them from predators and pests at the same time.
Wire fencing is commonly used, and there are several products on the market. Choosing a material that has small holes keeps out predators.
In addition, the best chicken coop materials are designed for low maintenance. Some wire fences are galvanized.
This is a process that uses zinc to protect the underlying steel. Galvanized fencing will rust, but it takes several years.
The best chicken coop materials are designed to resist the water, and cedar and redwood are a perfect option for small buildings.
The structures protect chickens from bad weather and provide sleeping quarters.