Mobile chicken coop: how to make a mobile structure with your own hands

The organization of a mobile chicken coop has many advantages. This design is mobile and facilitates the care of birds. Today, many varieties of such poultry houses are known. They differ in size, type of construction, methods of movement. It is quite possible to make such a device yourself. At the same time, it is important to follow certain recommendations.

Features

For breeding chickens in a summer cottage, it is important to choose the right type of chicken coop and find a suitable place for it. This is very important for the successful rearing of birds, since comfort and convenience depend on the location of the poultry house.

Mobile chicken coops are used to keep a small number of birds - a maximum of 10 individuals. Externally, the design resembles a portable booth. They also make structures on durable wheels. Chickens spend the night in them, hiding from rain and wind. The booth is surrounded by a metal mesh fence. This provides walking.

The most important feature of mobile poultry houses is the ability to quickly move the building to a new location. This gives the chickens access to new grass and fresh insects. Cleaning such a structure is quite easy. If necessary, it can even be moved to a pond and washed.

Types of portable chicken coops

There are many varieties of these chicken coops. They differ in the way they are transferred to another place. Structures are also classified by size and type of construction.

Taking into account the method of movement, 2 groups of structures are distinguished:

• poultry houses that can be moved manually;
• structures on wheels.

Manually, the chicken coop is carried by one person or several - this is determined by the size of the structure. To transfer the device, it is equipped with handles.

Wheel houses are also different. Structures on 2 wheels roll like a wheelbarrow. There are also four-wheel designs. They can be used as a trailer.

Depending on size, chicken coops can accommodate more than 15 hens or fewer birds. Small lightweight structures designed for 5-10 birds are most popular with summer residents. They are easy to maintain and move.

Small stock doesn't take long to care for.

Advantages and design flaws

Before buying or creating a mobile chicken coop, you should familiarize yourself with its main advantages and disadvantages. Benefits include the following:

1. The mobile chicken coop can be moved to a new location at any time. Walking birds on fresh grass makes them he althier. It is worth moving the chicken coop every week. This time is enough to eliminate the bacteria that accumulate in the house. Also, birds will be able to find additional sources of food in the new place.
2. When creating an unusual poultry house with an attractive design, it will be possible to decorate a summer cottage. In this case, the structure will become part of the landscape.
3. Portable fixtures are much easier to clean than fixed fixtures. If there is a water source on the site, you can move the chicken coop closer to it.
4. Mobile fixtures can be used all year round. Chickens can live in them in winter and summer.
5. Such structures are easily made by hand. Even when buying a ready-made structure, you can save a lot of money.

At the same time, mobile poultry houses have certain disadvantages. The key disadvantage is the inability to accommodate the number of chickens required for a large farm.

Design Options

All mobile chicken coops share common structural elements. They include nesting area, paddock, perches. Drinkers and feeders should also be present inside.

Today, many types of structures are known, each of which is characterized by certain features. So, chicken coops have the following types:

1. Triangular two-level. Its basis is a frame, which is a straight triangular prism. At the same time, its rectangular part is on the ground. The bottom of the structure is covered with a mesh. This space is intended for walking chickens. The upper part is protected by a roof. In this place nests and perches are located.This chicken coop is designed for medium size 5-6 adult birds and is equipped with carrying handles.
2. Triangular. This single-level structure can be arched, triangular or box-shaped. Part is sheathed with an opaque material - for example, plywood. It contains nests and perches. As a rule, such designs are intended for several chickens.
3. House. It can be supplemented with a lattice aviary for walking birds. The design is complemented by wheels. It has a significant weight, therefore it is not suitable for hand-carrying. The house itself is located above the aviary or next to it. There are also detachable structures. In this case, the fragments are separated before moving, and then reassembled at a new location. Such poultry houses have different capacities - from 2-3 chickens to 20 individuals.

Technology for creating a mobile chicken coop with your own hands

To make a mobile chicken coop on your own, you should strictly follow the sequence of procedures.

Wood processing

All wooden fragments of the house are recommended to be treated with a special antiseptic. This will help keep the wood from rotting. The procedure is carried out with a paint brush.

Building the frame

To build a frame, you should do the following:

1. Take wooden blocks. Their cross section should be 20x40 millimeters. Make 2 triangular frames out of the bars.
2. Set them opposite each other. In this case, it is worth choosing a distance equal to the desired length of the chicken coop.
3. Fasten the frames to each other with longitudinal boards. Secure with metal corners. This will help make the frame stronger. In addition, such devices will become handles for moving the house.

Wall installation

To make walls, you should follow these steps:

1. On the one hand, sew up the house with plywood. It will help protect the room from drafts and minimize the risk of developing diseases.
2. The second wall should include 2 parts. The upper fragment is a removable frame, the lower one is made of mesh.
3. If the length of the house is more than 120 centimeters, both parts should be reinforced with vertically placed crossbars. They are fixed with metal corners and self-tapping screws.
4. Grid is stretched between the elements of the bottom fragment. It can be reinforced with wooden slats. Such a wall should be half the length of the ramp in size.

Installation of the perch

The size of the perch is selected according to the breed of chickens. For small birds, 70-80 centimeters will be enough, for medium birds, a length of 80-90 centimeters is required.

Large chickens need a 100-110 cm perch.

Roost is done in one row or several. It can be single-tier or more, for example, two-tier. In a mobile chicken coop, it is enough to fix one bar at the desired height. This is enough for a small number of chickens.

To make it easier for the bird to perch, it is worth making a ladder. From the wall of the chicken coop, the pole should be removed by 25-30 centimeters. This will keep the chickens from touching her with their tails.

Floor device

The floor is made of mesh or boards. In the first case, the structure is placed on legs, between which a pallet is placed. It will collect litter. When organizing a plank floor, it is worth making sure that there are no gaps. The bottom should be covered with roofing felt.

How to equip the lighting and ventilation in the chicken coop

It is important to equip the room with ventilation. If this is not done, the chickens will start to get sick. Also ventilation will help to cope with an unpleasant smell. Chickens need adequate light.

Climatic conditions

When constructing a structure, it is important to take into account the climatic features of the region. Strong winds and precipitation will damage the house. That is why it is so important to make a structure without gaps. It is important to periodically ventilate the room.

If you place the chicken coop in an elevated place, you can avoid the accumulation of moisture. To protect chickens from pests, windows and doors are supplemented with a mosquito net.

A mobile chicken coop is a very convenient structure that is perfect for small farms. To ensure the normal development of chickens, it is important to think through the design of the house to the smallest detail.

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