How to build a polycarbonate chicken coop with your own hands and rules for keeping birds

A chicken coop made of polycarbonate sheets allows you to keep poultry in low temperatures. Special blocks are often used for construction, which facilitate the construction process. Such a building has a large number of advantages that must be taken into account.

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 building.

Before starting to build a 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 a 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 parts.

Using a greenhouse allows you 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 bird house, you need to prepare all the necessary components. The following tools are used:

• components for preparing the solution (sand, crushed stone, cement, water);
• board for making perches;
• level and tape measure;
• wood saw;
• 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 feeders and drinkers.

Lighting

During the daytime, natural light is used.At night it is necessary to install lamps. In winter, lamps are used that not only illuminate the room, but also generate additional heat.

Important. Lamps should be placed near the feeders; this will not only improve the process of food consumption, but also reduce the risk of missing 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 furnace may be used to heat the water running through the pipes. A special bedding is also 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. To do this, it is necessary to install one natural ventilation system. Forced systems are activated when necessary. Ventilation is installed in special windows so that there is no draft, but the birds receive the necessary amount of fresh air.

Perches

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

Litter

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

Drinkers and feeders

Installation of drinkers requires preliminary fastening, since chickens often rake up food with their paws. Wooden boxes or other containers are used. The size of the container depends on the number of birds. Chickens should be placed near the feeder.

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

Building a polycarbonate chicken coop from scratch with your own hands

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

Necessary materials

For construction it is necessary to prepare the following materials:

• 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. Such tools include a drill, saw, hammer, and self-tapping screws.

Polycarbonate chicken coop foundation

Using a foundation allows you to retain heat in winter. Before building the foundation, you must follow the following algorithm of actions:

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

For strength, you can secure the frame with concrete, which is used to pour the floor in the chicken coop. However, this design requires additional insulation.

Polycarbonate chicken coop frame

For the frame of the building, corners or corrugated pipe should be used. Using a corrugated pipe, it is necessary to make a frame depending on the size of the poultry house. After the frame is ready, it is necessary to install it on the foundation, making several additional ribs that will support the entire structure. The pipes are fastened by welding or by sanding. When using the latter, the pipes bend after heating, this prevents damage. After making the frame, the pipes must be treated with a special agent that protects the metal from damage.

Frame installation

The next step in building a chicken coop is to install frames for doors and windows. The door can be mounted in the usual way and secured to metal canopies. To ensure that the door fits tightly to the frame, rubber pads are used. Window frames should be installed in the chicken coop. The profile for the frame 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 make construction easier. From polycarbonate sheets you need to cut strips that fit the size of the structure. The finished sheets are inserted into the frame and fastened with self-tapping screws. It is necessary to start installing polycarbonate from the doorway, gradually moving towards a blank wall. After the frame is sheathed, it is necessary, using putty, to seal all the cracks and fastening points with self-tapping screws.

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

Ventilation in a polycarbonate chicken coop

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

Features of raising chickens in a greenhouse in winter

Chickens are undemanding in care, but in winter the birds are often exposed to diseases. To increase egg production, you should follow the rules of care.

Basic Rules

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

1. Regularly monitor the room temperature. The air temperature should be at least 15-18 degrees.
2. At night, use special lamps for lighting.
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, in winter, you should regularly add new straw to the bedding. During the day, the room should be ventilated or turned on several times.

Chicken nutrition

In winter, chickens should eat whole grains mixed with grain 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;
• potato.

Cottage cheese and shell rock are also often added to birds’ food. If there is a lack of vitamins, special fertilizers can be used.

Cleanliness support

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

Organization of walking

After building the chicken coop, it is necessary to make a fence nearby in which the chickens will regularly walk. Bird walking must be done every day. In summer, birds should spend most of their time outside. In winter, 2 hours a day is enough.

Conclusion

Raising chickens in a polycarbonate building is not difficult. Winter is considered the most difficult period. When birds need additional heating devices.

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