/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Plug for a really helpful book.

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by Captain Carrot, Jan 29, 2011.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Jan 29, 2011 #1
    Captain Carrot

    Captain Carrot Chillin' With My Peeps

    471
    5
    111
    Jan 25, 2011
    Austria
    I bought a book from Amazon last week because I was looking for some ideas building rabbit hutches, quail housing and chicken coops.

    This book is fantastic, "SMALL LIVESTOCK HOUSING a construction guide" by Joe Jacobs ISBN 978-1-84797-188-3

    He uses 9mm ply and 5x2 battens throughout, but really takes you through each project with diagrams, photographs and very detailed instructions. He keeps chickens himself, and writes in a very easy to understand way.

    I went to the hardware store today and ordered some wood for the basic chicken house and also a bantam house which I modified from his plans. Will post pics when they're finished.

    If you're like me and want to build your own houses for a fraction of the price you'd pay for one, but really have any idea where to start...get this book.

    Plans inside include, Chicken ark, extended run for the ark, dog kennel, bantam house, dovecote, brooder box, rabbit hutch, quail house, duckhouse, goose house and ferret house.
    There is also a plan for an avairy, but as he doesn't include the shed part, it's a tall outdoor run.

    Well worth the money.

    PS I am not Joe Jacobs, lol
     
  3. Jan 29, 2011 #2
    WestKnollAmy

    WestKnollAmy The Crazy Chicken Lady Premium Member

    10,060
    177
    361
    Apr 22, 2008
    upstate SC
    Wow, and to think all this time I was just getting a picture in my head of what I wanted and going with that. I suppose I could follow directions well enough to do the job but I never have used anything.
    I just decided what I wanted and started building it.
    I can't say it is as nice as what I would have gotten if I followed directions though.

    Always nice to hear recommendations for good books. I will have to check on that and see if there is something I can use in there.

    Thanks for the input![​IMG]
     
  5. Jan 29, 2011 #3
    Captain Carrot

    Captain Carrot Chillin' With My Peeps

    471
    5
    111
    Jan 25, 2011
    Austria
    it gave me some ideas, his recommended stocking numbers for the chicken coops are realistic too. It's more for the beginner, who wants to build their own coops.
     
  7. Jan 29, 2011 #4
    gryeyes

    gryeyes Covered in Pet Hair & Feathers

    15,507
    291
    358
    Sep 22, 2009
    My slice of heaven in Somerset, CA
    There is also the increasingly-famous "Building Chicken Coops for Dummies," co-authored by our very own Nifty Chicken, Rob Ludlow. I have it and I really like it a great deal. I know one BYCer who has built the large, walk-in coop from the book: dsqard. There's a thread on it, somewhere.....

    But both chicken Dummies books are wonderful. I got my Dummies Coop book SIGNED by Nifty at a Bay Area BYC Meet-Up! Wooooooooooooooh. [​IMG]
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by