Instructions on Setting Up a Basic Enclosure for Chickens

Chickens are beneficial to have and are fairly easy to take care of. Having a few
laying hens in the backyard is useful for getting fresh eggs daily and can provide
natural fertilizer to spread on plants and in small gardens. This short guide will
provide basic tips and instructions for how to create a simple enclosure for 5-6
chickens.

Step 1: Size Space

for Wanted
Enclosure
 For
healthy,
happy

chickens, it is useful to leave at least 15 square feet for each chicken.

 A 9 ft. x 10 ft. area (not much at all) is recommended for 5-6 chickens.
 Simply mark the perimeter for where fencing will go with grass safe spray
paint, lay the wood for the frame .

Step 2: Build/Buy Coop & Put Inside Enclosure Area

 A coop is essential for the care of chickens and provides a dry place for hens
to lay their eggs and rest.
 Building/Buying a simple coop like the one above is simple, just make sure it
has enough space for 6 chickens to be in it at once.
  Having the coop lifted off of the ground like the one pictured above allows
room underneath it for the chickens to roam and lay under.
 Also allow room for a couple feeders and a water jug.

Step 3: Fill the Inside of the Coop with Bedding

 Bedding is necessary for chickens; it allows a place for hens to nest in and is
good for moisture/odor control inside of the small coop area.
 Larger size pine shavings, pictured below to the right, are recommended and
easy to clean, but there are other options available.

Step 4: Purchase and Set Hanging Feeder in Coop

 Clean and quality feed have an impact on bird health and egg quality.
 2 – Fifteen lb. hanging feeders should be more than enough for 5-6 chickens
and should be set inside of the coop to keep dry.
 Relatively cheap galvanized steel feeders like the one below can be purchased at
the Tractor Supply Company website
(https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/harris-farms-15-lb-hanging-
feeder)
Step 5: Purchase and Set Water Jugs
 A good sized, easy to clean container to keep water in is necessary for the health
of your birds.
 One 5-gallon polyethylene (plastic) jug should be enough for 5-6 chickens
 Plastic jugs like the one pictured below can also be purchased at Tractor Supply
Company (https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farm-tuff-top-fill-
poultry-and-game-bird-waterer-5-gal?cm_vc=-10005)
 These jugs can either be set outside in the enclosure, or inside the coop.
 Clean at least once a week or whenever dirty with dish soap and water.
Step 7: Build Foundation/Frame for Enclosure
1.) Measure the desired length and width of the enclosure
-Use grass safe paint or marker to draw out boundaries

2.) Dig holes for fence posts, put the posts in, and pour some concrete.

3.) Cut the tops off the post boards to level them

4.) Screw boards across the top of the post boards for stability

5.) Using a hammer and u-shaped nails, attach 1” welded wire fencing to posts.
6.) After the fencing is up, use 2x4 boards to create a frame, screwing the boards in
horizontally all along the bottom, middle, and top of the fencing
7.) Once fencing is done, add a door in a desired location.