Indian history indicates that wild chicken has been domesticated as early as 3200BC. Humans has been building chicken houses before, so building one now is an easy task.
Materials:
• ¾’ plywood
• 2×2 lumber
• 2½” screws
• 1¼” screws
• nails
• hinges
• tar paper
• shingles
• glue
Tools:
• chalk/pencil
• saw
• bubble level
• drill
Here’s the DIY guide
1) Determine the ideal size of your chicken house depending on the number of your chickens.
You need 2 square feet per chicken for the larger chickens (standard) while 1 square foot per chicken for the bantam chickens. You’ll be needing 10-20 square feet for 10 chickens, 20-40 square feet for 20 chickens, 50-100 square feet for 50 chickens and 100-200 square feet for 100 chickens.
Note: The sizes given above is just for the chicken house. You need larger space for the chicken run.
2) Now that you know the size of your chicken house, you can now start building your chicken house by starting off the base. Build the floor with a plywood and the frame with a lumber. Connect them together with 2½” screws. Put the frame of the plywood sheet and drill pilot holes. Then, insert 1¼” screws into the frame and add some glue.
3) Create at least 4 legs for the chicken house using the lumber. You need more legs if you plan a bigger chicken house. Attach the 2×2 legs to the base of the house. Leave no gaps and make sure the corners are correctly placed. At the two ends of vertical support, drill pocket holes. Then, stick 2½” screws into horizontal supports. Make sure there’s no gaps in between and all corners are symmetrical to one another. Put some glue to the joints.
4) Drill some pilot holes through the upper and lower wall plates and insert 2½” pocket screws in the studs. Check the corners if it’s squared out. Before you insert 2½” screws into the floor frame, drill pilot holes through the lower plates. Attach the horizontal supports to your build. Fit the lumbers between the sides of the chicken house and drill pocket holes for about a 15° angle at both ends.
5) Assemble the walls out of lumber on a plain surface and ready for cutting. The measure depends upon the base of your chicken house. Use a chalk/pencil to mark the lines you need to cut before you use a circular saw.
6) Attach the walls to the structure using a 1¼” screws. Use a sandpaper to smooth the edges.
7) Attach the door and window openings to the frame but make sure it fits correctly. Add hinges to lock the door and the windows. Secure the walls to the frame tightly. Then, align everything.
8) Build the roof ridge using the 2×2 lumber. Use screw to secure the ridge. Place a bubble level on top of the slat for you to see if the measurement is right. Use the lumber to make a rafter. Make sure the one end is cut by 45°. After drilling pilot holes, fit the rafters and secure them with 2½’ screws.
9) Cut the parts for the roof. Use the plywood for it. Attach and secure everything to the rafters with 1¼? screws. Make sure everything is tightly placed. The front and the back overhangs should be equal. Cover the roof with a tar paper, then staple it. Attach the shingles after that. Accurately measure and secure the shingles to the roof. Use appropriate nails to avoid cracks.
Check if all doors and windows are aligned properly and locked together. If you want to paint your chicken house, which isn’t necessary, make sure you use a non-toxic paint.
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