Click here for many different models of chicken coops DIY project.

The phenomenon of keeping backyard chickens just keeps getting more popular, and for good reason. Chickens are much smarter and better companions than you might believe at first, and there's nothing better than having your own supply of fresh eggs.

There's no worrying about the treatment of the animals, what their diet might be like, or whether or not they're being fed excess antibiotics and hormones. You control your own flock, and get to enjoy raising chickens of your very own. However, to start up your backyard chicken flock, you're going to need somewhere to house them.

There are more options than just the old fashioned chicken coops you might imagine. From build it yourself options to commercial chicken houses, there are plenty of ways to keep your flock. Let's take a look at a few.

For just a few chickens, a small coop is ideal. These can be made portable, so your chickens can be moved around the yard wherever you want them to be. The big advantage of this method is that you're able to avoid that barren, dusty spot where grass won't grow.

In days gone by, that bare patch in the yard was likely to develop into a mud puddle. ">Choose a chicken coop on wheels, or one that's small enough for you to lift, in order to keep your lawn looking great and give your chickens a change of scenery.

An open bottomed coop or chicken tractor is another popular type of chicken house. Usually used in conjunction with a sturdier coop elsewhere, these allow your flock to graze on insects, seeds, weeds and other foods found in your lawn, without danger that they'll wander away or be prey for neighborhood animals. This kind of house acts as a "chicken playpen" to keep them happy but safe.

A good chicken tractor or open bottomed chicken coop will be easy to lift and maneuver around, so you can allow your chickens access to the whole yard - a little bit at a time. Triangular cross sections are common for this type, but there are also rectangular mobile coops that serve the same purpose.

Of course, if you're really dedicated, you could try something like the Ultimate Chicken Coop - a combination of regular chicken houses and mobile chicken tractors with a few extra features. It can accommodate up to twelve hens at a time, has a retractable stairway to allow or deny access to the ground beneath, and has a wheel system that makes it easy to move. If you're really serious about your backyard chickens, this is the house to buy them.

There are lots of different types of chicken houses out there. You just need to take a look at what you want, the size of your flock, and their needs, then pick the one that fits. It's a relatively simple process, and you'll soon be eating all the delicious, nutritious, free range eggs you could want.