Yahoo Answers answers:

Well, actually there are some things to keep in mind. Our pen is really big. It’s 12ft.(W) * 24ft.(L) * 7ft.(H) and holds my 5 chickens and 3 ducks. If you want something simple, buy a small kennel with some chicken wire to be safe from preditors. And let them stay in 3-4 weeks and then you can let them out in the morning and when it gets dark they go back into the pen by themselves. Then all I do is lock up the cage. Make sure it had a top so racoons can.t climb over and kill one.

Good luck!

Yahoo Answers answers:

This page will give you lots of ideas for coops. The rest of the site will answer almost any question about raising and keeping chickens. Http://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html

Yahoo Answers answers:

I’ve seen that site and they just talk rubbish on there. If you are really serious in building a good coop for your chickens, then I suggest you go to this website instead and grab the guide over there. They’ve got step by step guides and plans for building a wide variety of chicken coops. Go to the address below

http://bit.ly/df0XPT

Yahoo Answers answers:

Mine have a coop but choose to sleep in the tree instead.. Crazy as hell for chickens I’d have never thought it!! Even in winter when it was freezing cold, they still slept in the tree. They fly onto the coop then into the tree, it makes me laugh. So i guess they can’t be too cold and they’ve survived all this time in it, so no they don’t need to be heated (:

Yahoo Answers answers:

If you going to build a coop then make sure it has a floor and is a foot off the ground to prevent rats burying up through in to the coop. Cover the floor with saw dust and change it every few weeks. Make the roosts big enough that ten chickens can perch on each one. Put in three perches at different levels. This allows the birds to select a level of seniority and they will be happier. Happy chickens lay better if that’s what you want them for.

Yahoo Answers answers:

Go too:

Heatinghelp.com (it might be .net or ? But try that)

You want to find a place called, “The Wall” it is a place just like this where you can post your question.

Simply: Yes you can.. But it depends on your heat source to heat the water? Existing boiler? Wood stove etc… I think it would be a great idea to do. You could even run a line under their nests if they are off the ground… Not too hot now.. Just enough to warm them on those real cold nights!

I have seen dog houses heated etc….

You can use Pex pipe, circulator, expansion tank… Basic fittings… You will have too have a basic knowledge to put it together and you can find the information at that sight.

Just in case they have changed another search point or name would be: Dan Holohan, Hydronic heat, Wethead,,,,, any one of those should pull his site up.

Good luck, great idea… It may cost a bit but why not ..

Yahoo Answers answers:

What is an Eglu? Did you mean igloo? Like the dog house? How much are you looking to spend? I would check out the link below. It has dozens and dozens of plans and pictures of different style coops and housing. It might help you decide what fits your house and life. :

http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultrySites.html#coops

Also, make sure you check your local policy before getting any. A lot of places now have restrictions and even bans on “farm animals” and chickens.

EDIT:

Never mind, I looked up the Eglu. It is not a good option at all. It is in no way predator proof, there is not enough room for them to sleep in the “house” part, and the roost needs to be high. Think four feet. Plus, that run is in now way big enough. This might be a good idea for one chicken, but if your family eats eggs every day or on a very regular basis, you will need more than that. Think, you get 1 egg from every adult every day. They do not lay during molts and some stop in the winter.