HOT PROPERTY

This content is produced by the B2B Publishing team of the LA Times. It does not involve the reporting staff of the LA Times

CREATE A BACKYARD CHICKEN COOP

Dogs

may be man’s best friend. And cats

make fine pets too, but many homeowners have increasingly turned to feathered friends

for companionship, particularly chickens.

the ground whereyou want your coop to be built. Search online for coop design templates.

4. Gather your materials.Select durable materials that can withstand all types of weather.

5. Construct the coop enclosurefollowing your design. Wood flooring and asturdyroof is best.

The fact that one hen can produceupto300 eggs per year isn’tthe onlyperk to raising backyard poultry, according to Patrick Biggs,apoultry nutritionistwith Purina Animal Nutrition in Gray Summit, Missouri.

“Backyard flocks aregreat for your yard and garden. Theystrengthen the health of the soil by tilling the earth with their feetand beaks. Theyprovide natural fertilizer.And theyeat peskybugs, which helps with insect control,”he says.“Additionally, theycan be agreatsource of entertainment and education to children and adults alike.”

Fortunately, manycities and urban areas allowchickens to be raised by residents,provided that noiseand wasteare kept under control and

the fowl aresafelyraised and contained. That requires building an enclosed coop wherethe animals can sleep,roost, and layeggs.

The good news is that anyhandy homeowner can likelybuild acoop without having to hirean outside expert. Here arethe recommended steps involved:

1. Decide howmanybirds youare seeking to house. “Estimate on the high side in caseyou want to addmorelater.” says Chyrle Bonk, a veterinarian in Orofino,Idaho.

2. Choosethe right location. Pick an area with combination sun and shade and good drainage.

3. Design and map out your enclosure. Carefully measureyour dimensions needed and mark on

6. Complete the coop interior.Nesting boxes for hens to layeggs in areamust.

6. Finish and fortify the coop. Paint the enclosureand ensurethat anydoors have locks on them to prevent predators from getting in.

7. Addachicken run to the coop. Chickens need outdoor time in addition to asafe place at night.

“The cost to build this enclosurecan vary greatly, depending on the size of materials used,” Bonk says.“Expect to payatleast$200 to $500 and to spend at leastaweekend of your time building the coop.”

CTW Features

Contact us with comments or questions at b2bpublishing@latimes.com

In recent years, many cities have relaxed laws about keeping backyard chickens. Photo courtesy of Content That Works