Chicken coops plans

There are numerous instructions on the Internet on how to make a chicken tractor, or mobile coop. The materials vary, as does the size and shape of the structure. You will need several if you have many chickens, most of the ones I have seen will handle no more than four to six chickens. Four would seem to be the best number to me, so that they would have plenty of room. When chickens and contained in close quarters it encourages fighting, cannibalism, and egg eating.

The simplest way to construct a movable pen is by using 2×2 lumber and chicken wire to cover the frame. Make a rectangle approximately four feet long and two to three feet high. Cover it with the chicken wire on three sides, leaving the bottom open for the chickens to be able to eat the fresh grass and bugs. Make it sturdy enough that it offers protection for the chickens but light enough that you can move it easily. You can cover part of it with canvas or plastic to shade the chickens and provide shelter from the rain. Be sure and add a water dish so they can have plenty of fresh water.

A more difficult, but sturdier structure can be made by using that basic form and adding plywood to create an enclosed housing area. The house should have hinges on the roof, or some other way to get into it to clean it and collect any eggs. When the chicken tractor is more substantial, you may want to add wheels on it to make it easier to move. In this type, you could potentially leave your poultry in it all night but I would not recommend it. Raccoons are pretty intelligent creatures and have ways of finding their way in to get at one of their favorite meals.

I have seen many mobile coops that are triangular shaped, with the base resting on the ground, and they seem to be a favorite design. The shape gives a sturdier product and uses less material, plus it keeps it lighter and easier to move. In the triangular shape there are also those that have a coop area at the top of the triangle, with a ramp for the chickens to go up into it! If you look around you will find many different types to choose from, or to base your own design off of.

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