Poultry has global demand because it is a good source of protein-rich food. As per the recent data, the gross value of Australian Poultry meat production is around $2.9 billion.
If you invested in a farm where you can grow vegetables and fruits, consider building chicken coops to increase your profits. However, chicken coops are of varying kinds, and making a good one needs some research.
Here is a list of the best materials to build chicken coops on your farm.
Framing Lumber
The framing lumber is used for the skeleton of the coop. Generally, the framing lumber is available in standard sizes like 2x4s and 2x3s. However, if you want to build a larger chicken coop, you need larger sizes like 2x6s and 2x8s or heavy 4x4s.
You can get framing lumber of different sizes at https://www.steelchief.com.au/products/chicken-coops/ website. Make sure you check the specification of the framing lumber.
Roofing
You will need a roof for a chicken coop just like the one you have in a home. You need to select a roof as per your chicken coop design requirements. Several types of roofs are Gable roof, skillion roof, and flat roof.
Here is some basic information about different types of roofs.
- Gable Roof – A gable roof comprises two sections where the horizontal edges meet to form a ridge. The gable roof is ideal for cold or temperate climates. It has a steep pitch to prevent the ingress of water. There are several advantages of selecting a gable roof for your chicken coop on the farm.
- It has a simple design principle.
- It is more weather resistant than flat roofs
- It can be designed in many ways
- It is inexpensive
- Flat Roof – A flat roof is almost level. However, it is installed so that rainwater can run off to the lower side. In addition, flat roofs allow you to use the roof for storing light items used on your farm.
- Skillion Roof – A skillion roof is a flat roof with a twist. It has a visible slope, and the higher point of the roof is visible from a distance. The Skillion roof has a minimalistic and modern look with clean lines.
- Plywood – Plywood is generally used as sheathing roofs, cladding walls, or creating floors. Depending on the application, you need to choose the right type of plywood. Also, plywood is available in different thicknesses, and the price and strength of the plywood are directly proportional to the price.
Other Materials
Nails, screws, and welded wire cloth are common materials needed to build a chicken coop. You will often need nails to join two surfaces or pieces of plywood or framing lumber, while sometimes a screw is a better option.
Wire mesh is required to cover vents, windows, or other gaps in the chicken coop. It makes your chicken coop predator-proof.
Mobile Chicken Coop
If you do not want a fixed chicken coop on your farm and want your chickens to enjoy the freedom of movement from one corner to another, consider a mobile chicken coop.
The portable chicken coop is built on a tractor. It is built on a height that protects your chicken from predators and allows the birds to have a good sleep. In addition, the mobile chicken coop has a nesting box raised off the ground for easy cleaning.
So these are some common materials required to build a chicken coop.