- Mar 18, 2013
- 8
- 0
- 7
We've thrown around the idea of keeping Chickens now for a few years, but have always been concerned about the heat here in Arizona. So with some ideas in mind for ventilation fans and building the coop in a well shaded part of our large 75ft x 50ft back yard, we've finally decided to start building a coop.
I'm going to be looking at all of the plans and photos here from other DIY builders and using 2x4 Construction, along with whatever siding materials I can get cheaply. Then painting the exterior white to reflect a much sun as possible, and researching good roofing materials to keep it cool.
We plan on keeping chickens for the eggs rather than meat, not that I am opposed to slaughtering if needed - but that would definitely be something new for me. We have plenty of friends and family nearby to supply with eggs if the production from 3 or 4 birds is more than we can keep up with, we will be using the forums here to also research heat hardy breeds that are good layers.
We have 2 young girls - aged 9 and 2 and hopefully we can teach them to help look after the chickens and help with cleaning and egg collection. I think it will be very rewarding for the family. Some of my first memories as a child in the UK was running around inside my grandmothers huge chicken coop and collecting the eggs, plus being chased by the rooster - so hopefully our children will also have these memories of keeping our own chooks.
I'm going to be looking at all of the plans and photos here from other DIY builders and using 2x4 Construction, along with whatever siding materials I can get cheaply. Then painting the exterior white to reflect a much sun as possible, and researching good roofing materials to keep it cool.
We plan on keeping chickens for the eggs rather than meat, not that I am opposed to slaughtering if needed - but that would definitely be something new for me. We have plenty of friends and family nearby to supply with eggs if the production from 3 or 4 birds is more than we can keep up with, we will be using the forums here to also research heat hardy breeds that are good layers.
We have 2 young girls - aged 9 and 2 and hopefully we can teach them to help look after the chickens and help with cleaning and egg collection. I think it will be very rewarding for the family. Some of my first memories as a child in the UK was running around inside my grandmothers huge chicken coop and collecting the eggs, plus being chased by the rooster - so hopefully our children will also have these memories of keeping our own chooks.
