IF YOU WANT A
GREAT PET:
SULTANSThese were
originally bred in
Turkey as orna-
ments for the
Sultan’s gar-
dens. Today,
they are on the
Livestock Con-
servancy’s
Critical List, so
look for them
at online/mail
order hatcheries
instead of your
local feed store.
Sultans typically
weigh just 4 to 6
pounds and lay
about 50 bright
white eggs per
year—ideal for
those looking
for a lap hen,
rather than an
eg g producer.IF YOU WANT
LOTS OF EGGS:
WHITE LEGHORNThis is the arche-
typal bird you
might imagine
when thinking
of a chicken.
The hens lay
about 280 eggs
a year—they’re
hardy in both
winter and sum-
mer—and they’re
easy to find at
most places
that sell chick-
ens. They are a
bit flighty, how-
ever, so they
won’t make the
best pets, but if
you’re looking
for consistent
eggs from the
backyard, these
hens will deliver
them.IF YOU WANT FLAIR
IN YOUR FLOCK:
AMERAUCANAThis species
lays blue-green
eggs, but they’re
not just nice to
look at—Amer-
aucana eggs
are large, in part
because these
hens don't stress
easily. Amerau-
canas rarely go
“broody” and
sit on their eggs
for long. You
can consistently
expect up to 4
eggs per week.
What’s more,
these birds are
hardy in colder
climates and
have sweet
temperaments.
They enjoy being
around humans.IF YOU DON’T HAVE A
LOT OF SPACE:
BANTAMSBantams can be
one-fifth the
size of a typical
chicken, ideal
for those with
less coop space.
Bantams can
be traced back
to the 1500s,
when they were
bred to supply
eggs and meat
on cramped
ships. These
hens make great
pets for children
because they’re
easy to hold.
While the eggs
are pint-sized,
too, Bantams
produce about
200 eggs per
year.—Erica
Somes8-ft.-long 2x8 across the tops of the
three A-frames and fasten it with
3-in. decking screws [^10 ].STEP 9 Add the Trim and Wire
Next, cut two 1x4 horizontal trim
pieces to 94 in. long. Use a table saw
to bevel-rip the top edge of each 1x4
to 30°. Take one trim piece, butt
its beveled edge tightly against the
lower edge of the roof panel, and then
fasten it to the rafters with 15/8-in.
decking screws [ 11 ]. Cut 1x2 verti-
cal trim pieces to fit snugly between
the 1x4 horizontal trim and 2x4 side
plate; attach the 1x2 trim pieces
with 2-in. finishing nails [ 12 ]. Sta-
ple chicken wire to the opposite
side and both ends of the chicken
coop. Install the remaining 94-in.-
long side plate, then cut two 2x4
end plates to 71½ in. long; miter the
ends to 30°. Fasten the end plates to
the bottom of the rafters using 3-in.
decking screws [ 13 ].STEP 10 Cut the Entrance
Frame out the entry opening for the
fold-down door by screwing in place
two vertical 2x4s [ 14 ]. Space the
24-in.-long 2x4s precisely 12¼ in.
apart, making sure each is perfectly
plumb. Then cut out the chicken wire
from within the doorway opening.STEP 11 Attach the Door and Finish
Next, build the 12-in.-wide x 23¾-in.-
tall door frame out of 2x2s. Then
cover the back of the frame with two
23¾-in.-long 1x6s, which create a
solid walking surface for the chickens
when the door is folded down. Attach
the door to the 2x4 end plate with a
continuous hinge [ 15 ]. Hold the door
closed with a single gate safety hook.
Install two gate safety hooks to secure
the plywood door over the roosting
loft. Finish up construction by install-
ing the remaining horizontal and
vertical trim pieces on the opposite
side of the coop. Now, set the chicken
coop on a level spot in your yard, fill
the nesting boxes with soft hay, and
welcome home your new f lock.FOUR CHICKENS TO START RAISING NOW
November/December 2021 59SHUTTERSTOCK; GETTY IMAGES (WHITE LEGHORN)