How to build a do-it-yourself chicken coop from polycarbonate and rules for keeping birds

A chicken coop made of polycarbonate sheets allows you to keep poultry in low temperatures. For construction, special blocks are often used to facilitate the construction process. Such a construction has many advantages that must be considered.

Advantages and disadvantages of keeping chickens in a greenhouse in winter

Before building a polycarbonate chicken coop, it is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages of the construction.

Before starting the construction of the chicken coop, it is important to first assess the possible difficulties.

Arrangement of a greenhouse for a chicken coop

Polycarbonate is used to create a greenhouse. Often the greenhouse acts as a house for chickens. In order to make a chicken coop out of a greenhouse, it is important to observe some structural features and install all the necessary details.

The use of a greenhouse allows not only to save space, but also to use the building for its intended purpose in early spring.

Required tools and materials

Before you start building a poultry house, you need to prepare all the necessary components. The following tools are used:

• components for the preparation of the solution (sand, crushed stone, cement, water);
• board for making perches;
• level and tape measure;
• saw on wood;
• self-tapping screws.

You also need to prepare a marker or dark pencil. During the preparation of the greenhouse, it is also necessary to prepare the feeders and drinkers.

Lighting

Natural light is used during the day. It is necessary to install lamps in the dark. In winter, lamps are used that not only illuminate the room, but also generate additional heat.

Important.Lamps should be placed near feeders, this will not only improve the process of food consumption, but also reduce the risk of not having eggs.

Heating

This question is relevant in autumn and winter. In winter, lamps with a heating effect alone are not enough; special heating devices must be used. A stove can be used that heats the water running through the pipes. Also, a special mat is often used, which is equipped with heating elements. The choice of heating type depends on the size of the chicken coop.

Ventilation

Ventilation is important for bird health. For this it is necessary to install one natural ventilation system. Forced systems are activated when needed. Ventilation is installed in special vents so that there is no draft, but the birds receive the required amount of fresh air.

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Perches

The perches are made of wood. Wooden beams are used, which are screwed along the walls with self-tapping screws at a height of at least 50 cm from the floor. This height allows chickens to roost. Special grates are installed under the perches, which facilitate the process of cleaning chicken droppings.

Litter

Litter is essential for comfortable placement of chickens in the chicken coop. Fermentation fiber is used as bedding. You can buy such material in specialized stores. The advantage of this material is that it does not need to be changed frequently, as the substance absorbs dirt and unpleasant odors well. To use the material, it is enough to add sawdust or straw to the fiber.

Drinking bowls and feeders

Installation of drinkers requires preliminary fixing, as chickens often rake feed with their paws. Wooden boxes or other containers are used. The size of the container depends on the number of birds. Chickens should be kept near the feeder.

Important. Feeders and drinkers should be in different locations. This will reduce the risk of water pollution and large numbers of birds congregating in one place.

DIY construction of a polycarbonate chicken coop from scratch

If it is not possible to rebuild the greenhouse, polycarbonate can be used to build a chicken coop from scratch.

Necessary materials

For construction, the following materials must be prepared:

• wooden beam;
• pipe for creating a frame;
• concrete solution;
• polycarbonate;
• polyethylene film;
• straw.

It is also necessary to prepare all the tools that can be used. These tools include a drill, saw, hammer, and self-tapping screws.

Polycarbonate chicken coop foundation

Using a foundation allows you to keep warm in winter. Before building the foundation, the following sequence of actions must be observed:

• clear the area where the chicken coop will be located;
• make a drawing of the foundation;
• using a rope, markup;
• make a trench 10 cm deep;
• level the soil in the trench and add sand;
• after the sand settles, stretch the film, this procedure is necessary for isolation;
• using a wooden beam, make a frame that is placed around the perimeter of the foundation;
• fix the frame with self-tapping screws.

For strength, you can fix the frame with concrete, which is poured into the floor in the chicken coop. However, this design requires additional insulation.

Polycarbonate chicken coop frame

For the frame of the building, you should use corners or a professional pipe. Using a professional pipe, it is necessary to make a frame depending on the size of the house. After the frame is ready, it is necessary to install it on the foundation, making several additional ribs that will hold the entire structure. Pipes are fastened by welding or by filling with sand. When using the latter, the pipes are bent after heating to prevent damage.After making the frame, the pipes must be treated with a special agent that protects the metal from damage.

Installation of frames

The next step in building a chicken coop is to install frames for doors and vents. The door can be mounted in the usual way and fixed on metal awnings. In order for the door to fit snugly against the frame, rubber pads are used. Window frames should be installed in the chicken coop. The frame profile can be used 20 mm. The profile is welded using a welding machine.

Installation of polycarbonate

Polycarbonate sheets are used for the chicken coop. Such materials can facilitate construction. Strips must be cut from polycarbonate sheets that fit the structure. Finished sheets are inserted into the frame and fastened with self-tapping screws. It is necessary to start the installation of polycarbonate from the doorway, gradually moving towards the blank wall. After the frame is sheathed, it is necessary, using putty, to seal up all the cracks and attachment points with self-tapping screws.

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Important. At the first stages of attaching polycarbonate, it is necessary to use an awl and a strong thread to tighten the material. Only after that the screws are attached.

Ventilation in polycarbonate coop

In the building, it is necessary to make two vents, which, if necessary, will open and let in fresh air. For the winter period, one vent is used with a special fan that controls air circulation. Using natural ventilation can cause birds to freeze.

Features of growing chickens in a greenhouse in winter

Chickens are undemanding to care for, but birds are often exposed to diseases in winter. To increase egg production, care rules should be followed.

Fundamental rules

To preserve the health of birds, the following care features must be observed:

1. Monitor the room temperature regularly. The air temperature should be at least 15-18 degrees.
2. Use special lamps for lighting at night.
3. Before the winter period, it is necessary to treat the building with special chemicals against fleas, which can negatively affect the health of the bird.

Also, during winter, new straw should be added to the litter regularly. During the day, the room should be ventilated or turned on several times.

Chicken nutrition

In winter, chickens should eat whole grains mixed with cereal porridge. Wheat, barley, corn are used. In winter, birds may lack vitamins, so it is necessary to give additionally:

• grated beets;
• cottage cheese;
• chopped steamed hay;
• potatoes.

Also, birds are often added to food with cottage cheese and shell rock. With a lack of vitamins, special fertilizers can be used.

Maintaining cleanliness

Most often, chicken droppings accumulate in places where perches are mounted. These places must be cleaned every 2 days. The litter should be removed every week. Once a month, the litter fiber must be replaced with a new one, as harmful microorganisms can accumulate in the material.

Organization of walking

After the construction of the chicken coop, it is necessary to make a fence nearby, in which the chickens will regularly walk. Birds should be walked every day. In summer, birds should be outdoors most of the time. In winter, 2 hours a day is enough.

Conclusion

Raising chickens in a polycarbonate building is not difficult. The most difficult period is winter. When birds need to equip additional heating devices.

The advantage of polycarbonate is the strength of the building and heat retention.