how to build a chicken coop?

Question

these can't be bigger than 24'x24'. It should be able to keep eggs from cracking, also with water containers that will not putrefy, nor feed become moldy.
Also it should have a method for easy cleaning that will not erode the floor of th coop and a natural air filtration system to eliminate odors.
When is cold chickens must be kept warm when is hot they must be kept cold.
And also the materials can't be too expensive.

I know these sounds too specific but this is for a project and i need i ideas in how can i design a chicken coop that can meet these requirements.

I Will Appreciate all the help Possible. Thanks.

These project is for my Engineering class and yes my teacher might be crazy for asking all these.

Answer 1

DIY DOC hit the nail on the head!

Answer 2

As a long ago Chicken and Grain farmer; what you're inquiring about is pretty much a miniaturized version of a commercial process.

YIKES, I might regret any detailed time here?

First of all for individual "nesting" a chicken doesn't require 24 x 24. If you're assuming an entire COOP that size; perhaps you might go to a market and pick up a chicken in the meat dept.

If you're assuming a bed/nest; the eggs won't crack unless YOU crack them, or the Chickens have a chance to; hence egg retrieval is a daily process. If you assume somthing like a production line, SHAME on you, and the eggs will have to fall through a grid onto something that disallows cracking.

Gads I am regreting this. Consider that water needs to either flow or be changed daily. I hope you're aware of a chickens discretion; or lack of same; with regard to eliminating. In a commercial process there are troughs often that carry waste away, with a flow of water. Drinking water should be supplied but again I hope you're not considering drinking bottles much as hampsters have to endure.

Forgive this too..EASY CLEANING...LOLOLOLOL. Use stainless steel, Diamond plate steel; Plastic sheet; TREX or similar composites.

Oh please spend time on a chicken farm...Odor... Wear a respirator if toxic smells affect you; or if you can't inhale ammonia straight from a bottle; for extended periods of time.

FANS; both intake and exhaust help some. Forget filtration systems in any small scale venture. GLADE PLUG INS???

A Chicken; especially a healthy one; can endure sub freezing temps in an unheated COOP, and endure temps that will make you sweat with no Central AC. Obviously you can do a Heat pump; thermostatically controlled..and BTW, that might help with the noxious defication odor at some level.

What you've suggested could be as inexpensive as Plywood sheathing; or as outrageous as a Steel barn with all the STUFF you've suggested.

Chickens want Perches/Roosting bars/ nesting spots, that will be VERY specific to each Hen. They'll want DIRT to scratch, feed to peck at; a stainless steel DOGS water Bowl will be adequate. They can be fenced to roost and nest, and let to free range. They will come back.

I realize I've been pretty sarcastic; but in some ways your question is pretty abstract,,,and you state it's a "PROJECT" ?
Might that mean you're trying to design a more productive; healthier; meatier chicken?

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

Take a trip to a chicken and egg produer'sfarm, and ask permission to view his setup. Tell him what you need to know and why.

Most farmers are willing to help young people with their education.

All of your questions can be answered at a poultry farm!

Answer 4

If you can design and market a coop like this, you'll be rich!!!!!!!!!