How to Build a Hen House Out of Galvanized Metal

Decide where to position the hen house. Galvanized metal is receptive to the temperature and can get very hot in summer and very cold in winter, so keep this in mind when you choose the location. Build it under a tree for shade in summer, especially if you live in a warm climate.

Measure the area of the hen house floor and place markers at the corners. Remove rocks, plants and other debris and level the surface of the earth with a rake. Use pea gravel to create a layer of aggregate as the basis for the concrete floor.

Cut four 2-inch thick by 12-inch wide wooden boards to the length you want for the hen house and join them at the corners with 3-inch nails. This will provide a framework for the concrete slab. Position this over the prepared site for the hen house, and lay a row of bricks alongside the frame to support it while pouring the concrete.

Dig six holes for the hen house posts in the corners of the frame and in the middle of the longest sides. These should be at least 10 inches deep and wider at the bottom of the hole. Position the six 2-inch by 2-inch posts in the holes, using a level to keep them straight, and fill the holes with concrete.

Use premixed concrete, or mix your own with one part cement, two parts sand and four parts pea gravel aggregate with water. Pour the concrete into the frame and level it using a flat piece of wood. The concrete floor of the hen house should be raised at least 4 inches above ground level to prevent the bedding getting wet in heavy rains.

Install four 4-inch by 4-inch by 6 feet long wooden rails, two each at ground and roof levels, joining them to the corner and center posts with nails. Attach the same wooden rails in 2-foot lengths at the two sides and in the center. This will form the framework for the hen house as well as the roof.

Enclose the back of the hen house by attaching a sheet of galvanized metal to the frame at the top, bottom and sides. Enclose one side in the same way, as well as one half of the front. Nail a section of metal with a small door cutout at the base onto the center post at the rear as well as at the front.

Close in the remaining side and front half with poultry netting tied with cable ties, and remember to leave one corner of the netting loose so that you can open it to clean out the hen house. Cover the top of the entire hen house with a galvanized metal roof sheet. Fill both sides of the house with fresh, dry straw and place water and food containers in the outside section.