When it comes to hen ark plans, there are as many to choose from as there are chickens.
But not just any hen ark plans will do.
Each ark should be build to accommodate the breed or breeds of chickens living in them.
There are so many types of chickens you could raise.
Picking a set of hen ark plans according to the breed you own will take some time.
I mean there are chickens that are easy to raise but they do not lay eggs very well while other chickens produce lots of eggs every day.
So before you settle on a set of hen ark plans, you have to consider a lot of things about your chickens.
Space How big is your backyard? Is it big enough to comfortably hold the number of chickens you will have? The size of you yard a big factor because the size of chickens differ from breed to breed.
Climate Another factor is you local climate.
If you're living in a place that hot and humid, then you would want to avoid breeding types of chickens like Production Reds.
They trap heat and would be very uncomfortable in warmer climates.
However, if you live in an area that is cold most of the year, then cross breeds like Production Reds are an excellent choice because they are easily tamed and are resistant to cold temperature.
Breeds of Chickens Bantams can be difficult to handle for the first time chicken farmer.
Bantams are very wild and hard to control.
They love to fly around and roam.
This is why putting these types of chickens in a hen ark is a poor decision.
If you can't even keep them in the pen, then you might as well not even have a pen at all.
Also, they are terrible when it comes to laying eggs and if they do end up laying some, they will be very small.
The only upside to them is that they are very pretty and if you are only interested in keeping a flock for looks then Bantams are the way to go.
Americaunas are much like Bantams in beauty and egg laying production.
They resemble different birds of prey.
For instance, their coloring is like a falcon's with dark, golden feathers.
Their beaks also share characteristics with a falcon's because short curved beaks.
They are hearty and withstand cold temperatures during the night or during winter.
If you looking for top rate egg production then you will want to go with Pekins or Silkies.
These two breeds are the best choices when it comes to laying eggs.
Something that many people end up doing is crossbreeding a Silkie with a Pekins, or because the resulting chickens are very docile and easy to handle you, plus they retain the egg laying capacities as cross breeds.
Another top breed is Barred Plymouth Rocks.
They are the complete package rolled into one.
During the summer, they are known to lay eggs almost every day.
They rarely get sick, are very pretty, and are tame.