Overview
Raising chickens in your backyard can be a rewarding experience, providing fresh eggs and a sense of self-sufficiency. Eggs are extremely nutritious, offering a complete protein with a rich supply of key vitamins and minerals. They are a low-carb, low-calorie, and cost-effective source of protein. To enjoy a daily supply of fresh eggs, I decided to build a simple and small poultry setup in my backyard.
Creating a basic chicken cage with a nest is an excellent starting point for any aspiring backyard farmer. If this venture proves successful, you might even consider expanding into a larger poultry business. In this blog, I’ll guide you through the steps of how I created a small yet functional and safe environment for my egg-laying chickens.
Planning of Small Poultry
My house is situated within an exclusive subdivision, so planning to build a small poultry requires careful consideration to avoid any violations or conflicts with neighbors due to potential issues like the smell of chicken poops or an increase in flies in the area. Therefore, I decided to raise only two chickens, which would provide enough daily fresh eggs good for two persons. With just two chickens, I planned to have a small, durable metal cage that fits in my backyard, featuring two nests. So I ended up buying an existing cage and modify it to suit my backyard setup and specific requirements.
This is how my chicken cage setup goes:
This setup may seem expensive due to the materials used, but the advantage is that I don’t need to build the cage from scratch (though I could construct larger chicken cages from wood). This setup requires only a few materials and a short amount of time to assemble. Unlike starting from scratch, which involves gathering various wood/bamboo/coco lumber for the cage body and parts, nails, and chicken wire/mesh, this method is much quicker and easier. I don’t have the time to build a small cage from the ground up, and this pre-made cage only needed minor modifications to incorporate a nesting bed for my chickens. So if you’re in a similar situation, this setup could also work well for you.
Materials Needed
So if you still plan to build the same setup as mine, here is the list of materials I used to assemble my chicken cage:
- Metal Cage: For the frame and support structure
- 2 Plastic Water Bucket: This is for nesting of chickens. I chose black color so as to create a sense of security for the chickens, making them feel that their nest is hidden and safe, thus encouraging them to lay eggs more freely.
- Metal Hack Saw: For cutting hole in the cage where the bucket can be inserted to
- Marker Pen: For marking the hole to be cut in the cage
- Measuring Tape: To measure distance
- Roofing material: To protect cage from weather
- Straw or bedding material: For the nesting buckets
Benefits of Having Your Own Small Chicken Poultry
Having your own small chicken poultry can provide numerous benefits, enhancing your lifestyle, improving your garden, and contributing to a more sustainable and self-sufficient way of living.
- Fresh Eggs: Enjoy a steady supply of fresh, organic eggs. Know exactly where your eggs come from and how the chickens are treated.
- Healthy Meat: Raise your own chickens for meat, ensuring they are free from hormones and antibiotics.
- Educational Experience: Teach children about responsibility and where food comes from. Gain knowledge about animal husbandry and sustainable living.
- Fertilizer: Chicken manure is a valuable fertilizer for your garden, rich in nitrogen and other nutrients.
- Composting: Reduce kitchen waste by feeding scraps to your chickens, which can then be composted along with chicken bedding.
- Self-Sufficiency: Increase your level of self-sufficiency by producing your own food. Reduce dependency on store-bought products.
- Stress Relief and Entertainment: Watching chickens can be relaxing and enjoyable. Interacting with chickens can be a fun hobby and a stress reliever.
- Environment Impact: Reduce your carbon footprint by sourcing food locally. Promote sustainable living practices.
- Economic Savings: Save money on eggs and meat. Potential to sell excess eggs to neighbors or friends.
Steps To Build Small Poultry At Your Backyard
Step 1: Plan The Design
Start by planning the size and design of your chicken cage. Consider the number of chickens you plan to keep, allowing at least 2-3 square feet per chicken inside the coop and 8-10 square feet per chicken in the run. Sketch out your design, including the nesting area, roosting bars, and door placement.
Step 2: Build The Frame
- Cut the wood: Measure and cut the wooden planks to create the frame of the cage. You’ll need pieces for the base, four corner posts, and the top frame.
- Assemble the base: Nail or screw the base pieces together to form a rectangle.
- Attach the corner posts: Secure the four corner posts to the base. Ensure they are sturdy and perpendicular.
- Complete the frame: Attach the top frame to the corner posts, forming a box structure.
Step 3: Add The Chicken Wire
- Measure and cut: Cut pieces of chicken wire to fit each side of the frame, including the top.
- Attach the wire: Use nails or staples to secure the chicken wire to the wooden frame. Ensure there are no sharp edges sticking out to prevent injuries to the chickens.
- Reinforce the door area: Leave one section for the door and reinforce this area with extra wooden planks for added stability.
Step 4: Build And Attach The Door
- Construct the door: Measure and cut wood to create a rectangular door that fits the opening. Attach chicken wire to the door frame.
- Install hinges: Attach hinges to one side of the door and secure it to the cage frame.
- Add a latch: Install a latch on the opposite side to keep the door securely closed.
Step 5: Create The Nesting Boxes
- Cut the plywood: Measure and cut the plywood to create nesting boxes. Each box should be approximately 12x12x12 inches.
- Assemble the boxes: Nail or screw the pieces together to form individual boxes.
- Attach to the cage: Secure the nesting boxes to the inside of the cage, elevated off the ground. Ensure easy access for collecting eggs.
Step 6: Add Roosting Bars And Bedding
- Install roosting bars: Place wooden bars inside the cage, elevated from the ground, for chickens to perch on while they sleep.
- Add bedding: Spread straw or other suitable bedding material inside the nesting boxes and on the cage floor to provide comfort and cleanliness.
Step 7: Install The Roof
- Cut the roofing material: Measure and cut your chosen roofing material to fit the top of the cage.
- Attach the roof: Secure the roofing material to the top frame, ensuring it is watertight to protect the chickens from the elements.
Step 8: Final Touches
- Check for safety: Inspect the entire structure to ensure there are no sharp edges or loose components.
- Add food and water containers: Place food and water containers inside the cage, making sure they are easily accessible for the chickens.
Maintaining Your Chicken Cage
- Regular cleaning: Clean the cage regularly to prevent waste buildup and ensure a healthy environment for your chickens. The cage I selected comes with a poop tray accessory that collects all the chicken droppings in one place, making cleaning easier. You simply slide the tray out from the bottom of the cage and scrape away all the waste. To keep the tray dry, I always add a layer of garden soil before placing it back under the chicken cage to absorb any liquid droppings. Keep in mind that maintaining the chicken cage and surrounding area clean helps prevent flies. As for the scraped waste, I place it in my compost bin. Never apply it directly to your plants, as its high ammonia content can easily burn them. Instead, put the waste in a compost bin for 5 to 6 weeks to reduce its ammonia content before use. Additionally, temperatures generated in the composting process will kill most pathogens that can destroy your plants.
- Check for damage: Regularly inspect the cage for signs of wear or damage. If you find any damage, repair it immediately to prevent rodents, cats, or dogs from attacking your chickens. Keeping the cage secure will also prevent your chickens from escaping.
- Fresh bedding: Bedding in a nesting box does not only offer a soft landing for eggs but also provides extra comfort for your chickens. Use straw, hay, or pine wood shavings as bedding, as these materials dry quickly and provide cushioning and insulation for your laying hens and their eggs. To maintain cleanliness and dryness, regularly replace the bedding in the nesting boxes as needed.
- Food & Water: The egg production rates of laying hens reflect their overall health. Diet plays a major role in egg production, as the right food helps hens reach their full laying potential. To keep them healthy and productive, I feed them egg-laying mash and ensure their water pan is always full. Laying mash is specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of laying hens, providing the protein and energy they need to produce eggs.
Final Thought
Building a simple chicken cage with a nest in your backyard is a manageable DIY project that can provide numerous benefits. By following these steps, you can create a safe and comfortable home for your chickens, ensuring they thrive and produce fresh eggs for your family. Of course you can diverge from this design and customized your own chicken cage setup that will satisfy your own requirements and meet your available materials. Happy building!
Below are the other life hacks you can build in your backyard:
Growing Kangkong In A Bucket Using Hydroponics: A Beginner’s Guide
Salamat mga Ka-Butingting! If you find this post helpful, please share it with those who also might benefit from it. And don’t hesitate to share it too to your social media networks. God Bless!
