Typically, chicken coops are made stationary, but if the site does not have sufficient dimensions to accommodate such a structure, it is quite possible to get by with a mobile, portable one. Such a poultry house without special effort can be moved to any place, which will allow the bird to always have fresh green food. Making the design yourself is not difficult, which is what we will talk about in this article.
Features of the chicken coop design
The structure of a portable poultry house is quite simple, as can be seen in the photo below:
It is usually made of several tiers. In this case, the top one is made of wood, and the bottom one is made of mesh with a wooden door, so that it is possible to let the bird out if necessary.
In general, the chicken coop is a combination of several zones:
- The upper one, where hens can hatch their eggs in a calm atmosphere.
- The lower one is intended for free range of birds.
The current trend is to create a portable poultry house that has a roof with a natural lawn. This allows you to completely simulate natural environment and protect birds from harmful sun rays.
Advantages of a portable design
Breeders still cannot agree on whether a portable option is good for birds. In order to understand the specifics of such a design, it is important to consider the advantages that it has.
Moving
Possibility to change the location of the bird house at any convenient time. If the birds are used to walking on fresh grass, then sooner or later it will run out, and a portable chicken coop will allow the chickens to enjoy always fresh shoots. In addition, moving the place of walking allows the chickens to get sick less, since the bacteria accumulated there can disappear if the birds are moved to another place. It is best to move the house once every 24 hours so that the chickens have the opportunity to receive increasingly fresh nutrients. In addition, constantly moving the chicken coop will protect the area from excessive grazing and oversaturation of the soil with fertilizer.
Original appearance
Conventional chicken coops are not particularly attractive and mostly look like barns, which cannot be said about a mobile one. It can decorate any landscape.
Chicken protection
This is an important plus of a portable chicken coop. Chickens are usually allowed to roam freely around the property. This can be dangerous, as their eggs are constantly in danger and can become prey to predators, for example, rodents, birds or mammals. In a mesh portable poultry house, chickens and their eggs will be under reliable protection.
Possibility of additional processing of beds
One of the places where you can put a chicken coop is in garden beds. Chickens will constantly move while walking upper layer soil, which will increase soil aeration and also rid the bed of small pests and weeds. This is especially true in the fall, when the harvest has already been harvested, and various larvae and seeds that overwinter in the soil need to be removed.
Fertilizing the soil
Another undeniable advantage of a portable chicken coop is the possibility of fertilizing the area, and thanks to its mobility, the droppings will not always be concentrated in just one place, as happens in the case of a stationary place for chickens to walk. Thus, the fertilizer will not burn out the vegetation on the site, but will help stimulate its growth.
Less Maintenance
Due to the fact that the chicken coop is constantly moved by the owner, there is no need to clean the litter. This results in a noticeable saving of time and effort. The ability to place a portable poultry house next to the hose will make it easier to clean than a stationary one. Daily tasks for the owner of a mobile chicken coop are just collecting eggs and feeding the birds.
Protection of cultivated plants
Chickens, if they walk freely around the plot, are able to eat all the cultivated plants on the plot and even those seeds that have not yet sprouted. It's becoming big problem for the owner. But having a portable chicken coop will help eliminate the possibility of losing part of the plantings, but will still allow the chickens to eat natural plant food.
Advice! If there are too many weeds on the site, then it is enough to place the chicken coop in this place for a certain period and not a trace of them will remain.
It is possible to perform winter or summer option mobile chicken coop, depending on the needs and goals of the owner. But it is best to combine the use of a stationary poultry house and its mobile counterpart. In a mobile one, chickens can spend the day outside, and in a stationary one they can be moved to spend the night.
Flaws
There are few disadvantages to portable poultry houses, but within the framework of this article it is necessary to highlight them. So, a mobile chicken coop will not accommodate too many birds, but they are not intended for large farms. Its capacity will depend on the area.
In the process of making such a chicken coop with your own hands, you must not make mistakes so as not to compromise the strength of the portable structure. Otherwise, it will not be suitable as a portable option.
Poultry house options
Previously considered general design portable chicken coop. But the entire available range can be divided into 3 main groups:
- by the transfer method;
- by dimensions;
- by device and configuration.
According to the first factor, portable chicken coops can also be different. The first type is those with wheels, with the help of which it is convenient to transport the poultry house throughout the entire site. The second is lightweight portable structures that do not require wheels. Due to their weight, they can be carried by a person by the handle without much effort.
The portable chicken coop itself can be equipped with a mesh or without it at all.
Structures with mesh are more popular due to the fact that such fencing eliminates the need to constantly monitor birds.
In terms of dimensions, portable poultry houses can be made to house just a few individuals or those intended for breeding more birds, for example, 20 individuals.
Ready-made chicken coops
Many farmers now purchase ready-made portable chicken coops so as not to waste time and effort creating a product with their own hands. The market offers a large number of different options and models designed for different numbers of chickens.
There are products designed for just a few individuals. They are small in size and easy to use. You can also purchase full-fledged portable chicken coops, equipped with everything necessary, where more than a dozen chickens can be kept. Such portable chicken coops have a ventilation system inside, ceiling heater and temperature controller. In addition, such chicken coops are often supplemented with perches, drinking bowls and other accessories for comfortable keeping of birds. It is also possible to manufacture a portable chicken coop to order.
In our country there are practically no companies that produce ready-made portable chicken coops; all manufacturers are mainly foreign. But it is possible to order the design at the enterprise where it can be made. But this, again, is unnecessary trouble.
Among the models of portable chicken coops from companies from Western countries, the following can be identified, which are in greatest demand:
- A-Frame, with dimensions 1.2 * 0.9 m, the cost of which is 52,000 rubles.
- Quaker with dimensions of 1.2 * 1.2 m. The cost of such a portable chicken coop is 82,500 rubles.
- Learn-To is a chicken coop, the dimensions of which are the same as the first one, but the cost is slightly lower and starts from 43,000 rubles.
Making a chicken coop with your own hands
Just look at the cost of ready-made portable structures and the desire to buy them from most chicken breeders immediately disappears. In this case, it is possible to make a portable product with your own hands. All you need is a little experience with carpentry tools, time and patience.
First of all, before installation, an accurate drawing of a portable chicken coop is created, which reflects the desired design with measurements. And also, in accordance with the project, you need to prepare a sufficient amount of material, tools for working with wood and mesh, as well as fasteners.
So, installation is carried out as follows:
In addition to these works, a portable chicken coop must have proper ventilation, and in some cases lighting. In order for chickens to be comfortable inside, ventilation is necessary. In its absence, the chicken coop suffers from high humidity, which leads to morbidity in birds. In addition, fresh air is simply necessary to remove the persistent ammonia odor from the poultry house.
Don’t forget about the need for natural light inside a portable chicken coop. If there is a small amount of it, it can cause bird disease. You can make the lighting in a portable chicken coop sufficient if you decorate its door with glass.
Besides natural light, in a portable chicken coop you can also create an artificial one. For this, incandescent and fluorescent lamps are excellent options. Since in the chicken coop it is often observed high humidity, then the wiring must be located outside and protected by a special box from external influences.
When creating a poultry house, it is important to take into account the climatic conditions of the area where it will be located. Constant exposure to dampness due to rain or wind can damage the structure, especially if it is poorly constructed. But how to save the situation in case of such weather conditions?
When making a portable chicken coop for such a climate, it is important to consider some design features:
- To avoid drafts in strong winds, the chicken coop should have no gaps at all. But in this case, do not forget about regular ventilation of the poultry house.
- You can avoid the presence of large amounts of moisture by placing the chicken coop on a hill.
- Windows and doors can be equipped with mosquito nets for greater bird protection.
Conclusion
The small size of a portable chicken coop allows you to build it on any personal plot V short time. Only the owner’s imagination and a competent drawing will allow you to get exactly the product that will perform its main functions and decorate the site. Although chickens are unpretentious birds to keep, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions for them in order to avoid common diseases and achieve high productivity in the form of a large number of eggs. In addition, a portable chicken coop will help fertilize the garden and beds, which will be a definite plus.
There are many breeds of chickens that require free range. Usually they organize a stationary pen at the chicken coop, but in certain cases a portable chicken coop is very convenient and useful for poultry. Such a structure can be purchased ready-made, or you can make it yourself.
Advantages and disadvantages of a portable chicken coop
The good thing about a mobile chicken coop is that it can be moved, along with the chickens, to a new place with fresh grass as needed. 
Thus, using this structure provides the following bonuses:
- birds diversify their diet with greens, insects, and worms;
- they will need less food;
- there will be no need to regularly change the litter;
- A relatively small, portable structure is easier to clean than a stationary poultry house.
Did you know? When testing new aircraft and aircraft engines, they are required to be bombarded with chicken carcasses flying from high speed. In this way, the aircraft or engine's resistance to bird strikes is tested.
The main disadvantage of a mobile poultry house is its limited capacity. Already a structure for 20 chickens will be very cumbersome, and moving it may require vehicle or the efforts of several people. 
Types of portable chicken coops
Mobile poultry houses can differ in the methods of moving them from place to place, in size, and in design. Let's take a closer look at these differences.
Transfer method
Based on the method of movement, such structures are divided into two types:
- can be moved manually;
- which are moved around the site on built-in wheels.
Size
Based on size, mobile chicken coops are divided into those that can accommodate 15 chickens or more, and smaller structures. Small, lightweight structures designed for 5-10 chickens have become widespread among summer residents - they are easy to maintain, easy to move, and a small flock does not require much time to care for, but regularly provides the owners with fresh eggs.
Construction type
All mobile poultry houses have common elements designs:
- place for nests,
- perches,
- paddock for walking.
They also contain a drinking bowl and a feeder. There are many designs for such structures; we will briefly describe the most common of them:
Did you know? Chicken eggs with two yolks are not so rare, but twin chicks are never hatched from such an egg, since they do not have enough space for development.
Chicken coop manufacturing technology
As mentioned above, there are many designs of mobile poultry houses. Let's consider the manufacturing technology of one of the simplest and practical options- triangular two-level poultry house.
Materials and tools you will need
For production you will need:
- design drawing;
- wooden beam 20x40 mm;
- slats 30x15 mm;
- boards 30x100 mm;
- perch crossbar, round section diameter 20-30 mm;
- waterproof plywood 18 mm thick;
- lining;
- galvanized steel mesh(not galvanized rusts quickly) with cells 20x20 mm;
- fasteners (screws, nails, construction stapler);
- wire cutters;
- screwdriver;
- hammer.
Important! Metal mesh can be replaced with a polymer one - it is lighter and not afraid of moisture. But such a mesh is easily chewed through by rats, foxes, and ferrets.
Video: DIY portable chicken coop
Frame formation
First, triangular sidewalls are made from 20 x 40 mm timber. They are connected by boards, which are fixed in the middle of the triangles. On the same boards last stage Handles for carrying the chicken coop are nailed on. There are also Alternative option- make these boards protrude beyond the boundaries of the frame, their protruding part will serve as handles for carrying.
Construction of walls
The sidewalls for the first level are made from 30x15 mm slats. The sidewall is a rectangular frame with a spacer in the middle, which divides the frame in half. The mesh is attached to the frame with a stapler.
Important! In one of the upper end walls, the one located on the side opposite to the nest, you need to make ventilation holes.
The end walls are made as follows:
- at one end the upper and lower walls are blank, made of plywood or clapboard, but the upper one is made removable so that there is access to the nest for removing eggs;
- at the other end, the lower wall is covered with a mesh and is made removable so that there is access to the feeder and drinking bowl for replenishing them, the upper wall is made of non-removable plywood or lining.
Perch and nest location
The floor for the upper level is made of plywood. A hole measuring 200 x 400 mm is made in the floor, through which the chickens go up. To raise chickens to this level, a ladder is made and installed from a piece of board with slats nailed across it.
A round cross-section with a diameter of 20-30 mm is used as a perch; it is attached along the upper level. The perch should not extend across the entire upper level, as part of it will be occupied by the nest. The nest is made near the end wall. It is made in the form of a box. Recommended nest sizes.
The mobile chicken coop will become ideal option for those poultry farmers who do not have enough large plot for keeping chickens. Such chicken coops are easily transported from one place to another, which means that your birds will always be provided with green food from the ground. We will clearly show you how to make a portable chicken coop with your own hands in this article with photos and drawings.
The design of an ordinary portable chicken coop is quite simple, as you can see from the photo.
Such a poultry house consists of several tiers:
- the upper tier is made of wood;
- the walls of the lower one are usually made of mesh, and one side is closed wooden board so that it can be opened and the bird released.
In general, the following areas of the poultry house should be distinguished, usually two of them:
- the first and most important zone is the area where the hens will hatch their eggs;
- a place for birds to walk.
Recently, poultry farmers have been practicing the manufacture of poultry houses with a roof with a natural lawn. According to experts, this will make it possible not only to protect birds from harmful rays of the sun, but will also create an atmosphere of natural nature.
Varieties
Mobile poultry houses are divided into several categories:
- by transfer method;
- according to its size;
- on the device and design as a whole.
In turn, poultry houses of each of these categories are also divided into several types.
For example, according to the transfer method, chicken coops are divided into:
- those that move on wheels and can be transported manually around the site;
- poultry houses that are lighter in weight, which can be easily picked up and simply moved where needed.
If you live in a region where it often rains, then the chicken coop needs to be equipped with an inexpensive roof - it can be an ordinary film.
As for the design of the structure, it can be with or without a mesh fence. Mesh structures are more in demand, since the mesh ensures the safety of birds. And this is very convenient, since you no longer need to monitor the chickens.
Based on their size, poultry houses can be divided into:
- structures designed to house several birds;
- structures that can contain 20 individuals or more, that is, intended for mass breeding.
Naturally, the first option is more convenient, since it is intended for a certain number of birds.
The pros and cons of portable chicken coops
Now let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of mobile poultry houses, which you can make with your own hands or purchase.
First, let's list all the advantages:
- A portable poultry house will allow you to change its location at any time. If birds always walk on fresh grass, they will get sick less. Moving the chicken coop once every 6-7 days will be enough for the bacteria that have accumulated in the area to disappear. the same goes for insects. As you know, chickens eat beetles, midges and all sorts of larvae, and new food will not harm your health.
- The original design will allow the mobile poultry house to become an integral part of your landscape summer cottage. In principle, such a design is unlikely to spoil a house either. general form yard
- Such DIY structures are much easier to clean, because they can always be moved closer to the water source (hose or Karcher).
- Mobile structures can be either summer type, and all-season. In winter, such a poultry house can be placed near the house to make it easier to water and feed the chickens.
- Mobile poultry houses are inexpensive, and making them yourself is not particularly difficult.
Now let's move on to the cons. There are not as many advantages as there are advantages, but they are there.
What are the disadvantages of portable structures:
- Mobile poultry houses cannot accommodate as many chickens as is needed for a large farm: their capacity directly depends on the size of the structure and its area. Unfortunately, there can be no talk of any extensions.
- If during the manufacturing process with your own hands you make a mistake in the construction, then the strength of the poultry house may be too low for permanent movement.
Manufacturing technology
Let's consider the technology of making a structure with your own hands with photos and drawings.
- The process begins with the production of the frame. You will need two triangular frames made of timber measuring 2 by 4 cm. The frames must be connected by two hewn boards, on which handles for moving should also be installed.
- Next, you need to make the bottom two side walls, for this you will need slats measuring 1.5 by 3 cm. You need to stretch a mesh between the walls; the size of the cells should not be very large. 2 by 2 cm on average will be enough. A sheet of plywood can be used as a ceiling between floors; a hole should be made in it for chickens (about 20 by 40 cm, look at the dimensions). A ladder will pass through this hole.
- One of the side walls of the first tier should be removable; this is where the entrance to your poultry house will be located. As for the second wall, it should be made of lining.
- The next stage is the division of the second tier of the poultry house into two parts. By 30% free space there should be a roosting area where, in fact, the chickens will lay eggs. The bird will rest on the remaining 70% of the territory.
- Next, you need to make a roof with your own hands - it is made from several parts of a plywood sheet, which are attached to each other using hinges. If it gets very hot outside, such a roof can be raised. Please note that one of the parts of the roof must in any case be removable so that you can easily clean the structure if necessary.
- The final stage is to treat the inside and outside of the house with varnish or a product that will protect the wood from insects and moisture.
Actually, at this point the construction procedure is considered complete. Nuances in the form of ventilation and climatic conditions will be discussed below.
Ventilation and lighting
A portable chicken coop should be equipped with ventilation so that your birds inside are not hot or damp. Otherwise, due to the high dampness, the bird may become very sick. Fresh air is always beneficial for the chicken, especially since it will remove unpleasant and persistent odor ammonia. Don’t forget that chickens need sunlight. If there is not enough of it, this can also affect the health of the bird.
Climatic conditions
When making a structure, it is necessary to take into account the climatic features of the area where you live. Constant rain and strong winds can not only damage the poultry house, but also, in principle, destroy it as a result of poor quality manufacturing. What to do if you live in such an area?
Raising chickens does not create as many problems as other types of livestock farming. And fresh eggs and chicken will not be superfluous. In this case, a poultry house is needed, for which a place is usually allocated in a barn or other structure. The portable version will be very appropriate for small farms. This is convenient for beginning poultry farmers with a small number of livestock. A mobile chicken coop will add amenities to the owners of the site and improve the life of the birds. Let's take a closer look at how to build it yourself.
General design
Portable nurseries make it possible to provide chickens with green pasture in summer time. They breathe air and are controlled.
A standard portable chicken coop can accommodate about 10 chickens. The structures vary in size and complexity of manufacture. For example, a simple poultry house consists of an upper, woody tier. And the bottom one, covered with mesh.
In addition to vertical division, there are two zones: for resting and hatching eggs. The structure is most often built with a roof. Installed on the lawn - natural environment habitat for chickens
Varieties
What is the difference
The portable chicken coop is presented in several variations, differing in the following characteristics:
- method of transfer from one place to another;
- size: from several to 20 chickens or more;
- design features.
There are a number of other differences. For example, is the building equipped with wheels, which makes it easier to move even if it is large? If they are not there, then a chicken coop with a light weight will be convenient. The size is selected depending on the number of chickens.
Let's take a closer look at the possible options.
Portable
An example is lightweight design for 10 adult laying hens. This is the maximum number of individuals. The compact chicken coop allows you to change the location, providing your pets with fresh grass.
At the same time, the walk becomes spacious. And a person enters the room full height, using additional door behind.
A small window is constructed under the roof to allow air to circulate. And on the sides of the “interior” there are nests for eggs.
Common features are a mandatory room for laying hens, a perch and an aviary for walking. A popular form is a box. A couple of boards are nailed from below. They serve as handles for moving.
Having built a similar chicken coop for 10 chickens with their own hands at their dacha, craftsmen can decorate it.
Arched
This type of poultry house has a semicircular shape. Thanks to it, the weight of the structure is reduced. This increases mobility. This is a popular variety.
Chicken coop-wheelbarrow
It is difficult to move the mini-chicken coop on your own once every 2 days to fresh grass. A mobile structure on wheels will help out.
An example of such a model is a wheelbarrow. The model consists of a mesh box on small wheels. Thanks to this, the structure can be moved by one poultry farmer.
The design does not include a part for chickens to roost overnight. Because it is used in conjunction with a stationary chicken coop.
On casters or wheels
This design is easy to implement. It can be transported around the site manually. Sometimes without the help of a second person, even if it is quite large.
This house is similar to a portable chicken coop. The only difference is the wheels.
A structure on casters cannot be used as a trailer. And attach it to a car for transporting chickens. It moves only on a surface such as concrete or asphalt within the dacha area.
Chicken coop trailer
A large mobile poultry house with a walk and a house for the night. Used for transporting chickens over distances. It is attached to the vehicle as a trailer. It is also used on the site.
Pros and cons of portable poultry houses
Before purchasing a mobile chicken coop or building one yourself, it is advisable to consider its pros and cons. And make a choice: which type is suitable for your site.
Advantages:
- can be moved to any place;
- walking on fresh air good for chickens;
- weekly movement helps reduce the number of bacteria that tend to accumulate in one place;
- chickens will always have additional food: insects, greens;
- the chicken coop may have Beautiful design that will decorate the landscape;
- the mobile design is easy to clean;
- universal use - in all seasons;
- it is possible to independently build a chicken coop;
- and when purchased, the cost is less than that of a stationary building.
Disadvantage: you cannot accommodate a large number of chickens.
How to choose
It is important to find suitable look mobile chicken coop and find a place for it.
Some people prefer to buy a ready-made structure. Existing models vary in configuration and size. Poultry houses for 10 birds are considered compact.
The portable design for 30 chickens takes into account all the nuances necessary for their maintenance. This is a full-fledged building with ventilation, heating, and temperature control.
There are mobile poultry houses with drinking bowls, perches, walks and without them. And also made to order. A large structure must have wheels and handles.
Ready-made structures are selected individually, based on the scale of the farm and other nuances. Another option is to build a portable chicken coop yourself. Let's take a closer look.
Manufacturing Features
A standard homemade mobile poultry house is designed to house no more than 10 chickens. Outwardly, it resembles a portable booth or structure on wheels.
Chickens spend the night inside, sheltering from bad weather. The structure is surrounded by a fence, providing space for walking.
When making portable chicken coops, you need to take into account the climatic features of the area. Constant rain and wind can damage the structure or destroy it. If this is the region of residence, you need to provide for this.
Drafts are eliminated by sealing cracks. But the chicken coop must be opened for ventilation in any case.
If you install the poultry house on a hill, moisture and dampness will not accumulate. And in the lowlands, chickens can get wet even due to short rain.
You also need a mosquito net. It will protect the bird from attacks by mosquitoes that love humidity.
We build it ourselves
Selection of material and tools
A traditional mobile chicken coop requires simple and available materials: boards, plywood, slats, metal or plastic mesh. The frame is made of bars with a cross-section of 7 by 5 cm. Insulation is also needed (if the poultry house will be used in cold weather).
The general list of everything you need is as follows:
- blueprints;
- boards;
- plywood - sheets;
- net;
- window frame;
- galvanizing (small pieces);
- screwdriver;
- drill;
- jigsaw;
- saw;
- self-tapping screws;
- hammer;
- nails;
- Door hinges.
In windy climates, the chicken coop must be especially durable. Therefore, the requirements for the quality of materials and fastenings are increasing.
When building a mobile chicken coop with your own hands, you make a pyramidal or cubic structure. The ribs are slats, the walls are mesh, and the ceiling is made of boards. This is the simplest structure. You need to add to it closed house, where chickens will lay eggs and hide from bad weather.
Frame
Let's consider a chicken coop on wheels as an example of making a simple structure. First of all, you need to draw a project diagram, including dimensions and a list of elements. Having completed the design, we proceed to the next stages.
The first step is to assemble the frame. For the base, take 4 slats from timber. For example: 2 x 1 m and 2 x 2 m. Connected in series with self-tapping screws and corners. You will get a rectangle.
A closed part is identified in advance, to which the wheels will be attached. After all, when moving, they raise one side of the chicken coop. It is impossible to install rollers under the mesh, since the weight of this section is less and moving will be more difficult.
The wheels are mounted with not the smallest diameter. After all, the weight of the structure is significant. As a result, it may sink somewhat into the ground. Large wheels are also not suitable - the cart will be difficult to move.
Walls
After constructing the frame of the chicken coop, they begin to work on the side walls. Install slats, section 1.3 by 3 cm. A mesh will be stretched between the walls.
Plywood can be used as a floor between levels with a hole for chickens. A ladder is attached to this hole between the floors. One of the walls is made removable so that you can enter the poultry house. The recommended material for the other is lining.
A tight closure will prevent chickens from venturing out randomly. By using door hinges the gate is attached to the beam of the door frame. And on the opposite side they install a hook, a latch.
The walls and door of the chicken coop are made with insulation if the structure will be used during the cold period.
Manufacturing of tiers and zones
Using the drawing, divide the structure into 2 areas: an open space with a grid and a closed part, equipped with a window and a door.
A closed area can also include several compartments. The plywood floor allows you to create a second floor.
Having identified 2 levels in the chicken coop, the second tier should be divided into zones. 1/3 will go to perches and nests for eggs. The rest is for relaxation. The chickens will go up the stairs through the hole.
You can make one of the side walls removable. And cut a hole in it so that the chickens can come out. When using tiers sometimes top floor equipped for chickens. And on the bottom there are adult birds.
Roof
The roof is assembled in a similar manner to the frame. In the form of a frame with the subsequent addition of boards or plywood.
One part of the roof must be removable or hinged. This will provide access inside during sanitary measures.
During construction, you need to turn the poultry house towards you on the side where the roof will be. Thin plywood sheets I nail it to the edges of the frame without gaps. The nails should not stick out, otherwise the chickens will be injured.
Additional nuances
All parts of the chicken coop are connected to the base using bolts, nails, and other fasteners.
For ease of movement, reliable, strong handles are attached to the sides of the house.
To protect the structure from rain, it is covered with film.
Advice: do not make the house bulky by adding unnecessary parts.
In winter, chickens are kept on the second tier. The net is closed against the cold heat-insulating materials. And the chicken coop itself is placed inside a barn or garage.
Corral net
There are several options for mesh: plastic, mosquito, metal with small cells of 2 cm. They choose it according to the following principles:
- the chicken should not stick its head or other part of its body through;
- protection from insects;
- not too dense (this will impair air circulation).
The mesh is mounted on frames: long side, rear, front walls. And also on the door of the chicken coop and on the wall divided in two. Below (in the floor area) and on the closed part of the nursery this element is not needed.
After this, the mobile pen, consisting of a walking area under the net and a house, can be considered ready. But finishing work will still be required.
Finishing
Wooden parts must be protected from pests, moisture, and fire. Impregnation with special antiseptic, moisture-resistant compounds will also protect against crumbling.
After treatment, the structure is allowed to stand for the toxins to erode. Then the wood elements are varnished and allowed to dry completely.
Additionally wooden elements The chicken coop can be painted. For example, to match the colors that predominate in the area.
You can move in the chickens as soon as everything is dry. And the smell will disappear.
Ventilation
A portable poultry house must be equipped with ventilation. She will provide the chickens optimal temperature, eliminates excessive heat and cold. Otherwise, pets may get sick.
The system also helps remove bad odors from the chicken coop - a source of discomfort and illness in the birds' respiratory tract.
Additional ventilation is not needed if the house is well ventilated. But for the closed part - the houses - you need equipment in the form of closing windows and pipes. Items must have small size so as not to lose heat in winter and autumn.
Find out more in the article “How to properly ventilate a chicken coop.”
Lighting
Chickens need sunlight. Otherwise, their health may suffer, because this depends on:
- rate of weight gain;
- quantity and quality of eggs, shell thickness;
- chick viability;
- development of young animals.
A portable chicken coop also requires artificial lighting, which is equipped inside using a lamp. This is the key to a healthy regime.
For evening time or closed space A portable battery-powered LED lamp is suitable. It holds a charge for a long time. This will eliminate the need for high voltage wiring.
Find out more in the article “Winter and Summer Lighting in a Chicken Coop.”
Let's sum it up
A chicken coop in the form of a portable structure is very convenient for a small farm. Comfort is inherent in him in all respects. To build a structure with your own hands means to use skill and imagination. And also save money.
Besides main feature- mobility - the chicken coops in question are simple. They usually consist of typical zones and elements:
- 2 levels;
- one of the walls or the roof is made so that it is easy to open;
- all mobile poultry houses are divided into 2 zones: for rest, egg laying and walking;
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In our article we will look at a mobile chicken coop that is relevant for summer.
Depending on the needs of the beginning farmer, a free-range poultry house can be built for small quantity individuals - 3-4, and will help owners of 10 or more chickens.
A mobile aviary for chickens can be made in two variations:
- The first is that a mobile chicken coop can be equipped only for daytime walking of birds and has only sun protection and fencing functionality.
- The second version of the poultry house is designed for a permanent (summer) number of chickens and has a mini house with perches and nests.
By the way, such mobile enclosures are called: portable chicken coop “weeding the garden”. True, you shouldn’t let the bird weed the planting beds - everything will be pecked off.
An ideal place for weeding would be a bed before planting, or a lawn.
Make a portable chicken coop with your own hands possible from different materials, but the most common are wood and PVC pipes s.
- The base of a mobile poultry house made of wooden blocks is heavy, which means it will not blow away and will be difficult to move. Please note that wood is susceptible to rotting and various mold attacks over time.
- PVC pipes are easy to assemble and cut, easy to clean and process, and what is very important is that the design of the mobile poultry house is very light and convenient when moving around the site.
- the size of the bird that will be kept in a portable chicken coop - on average per 1 sq.m. you can keep 3-4 chickens;
- if the structure will contain nests, it is necessary to make two doors in the structure: for picking up eggs and cleaning the mini-chicken coop.
A-shaped and square/rectangular enclosures are common in shape.
How to make a portable chicken house from PVC pipes
For the construction of a box and canopy 2*2 sq.m. 80 cm high you will need:
- 9 pieces of PVC pipes with a diameter of 32 mm and a length of 2 meters;
- 4 pieces of PVC pipes 80 cm long d 20mm;
- 4 pieces of PVC pipes 80 cm long d 32 mm;
- 8 pieces of elbow with a slope of 90 degrees, 32 mm in diameter;
- 10 pieces of tees d 32 mm;
- 2 couplings for connecting tees on the top of the cover;
- 8 pieces of transition tees 32*20*20 mm;
- galvanized woven mesh with cells with a diameter of 13 mm 0.9 * 8.1 meters;
- a sheet of dark polycarbonate or siding 1.1 * 2.1 meters (for shading birds on a hot day).
For lifting lid:
- 2 pipes d 32 mm 2 meters;
- 2 pipes 32 mm 1 meter;
- 4 elbows with an angle of 90 degrees d 32 mm;
- galvanized woven mesh with cells with a diameter of 13 mm, a segment of 1.1 * 2.1 meters;
- 2 or 3 door hinges(depending on length and quality);
- self-tapping screws for attaching mesh and polycarbonate to PVC pipes;
- screwdriver
- We carry out the assembly as in the photo - first we assemble the frame. Due to the lack of an elbow with a PVC tee, the support corner pipes will be located behind the corner joints.
- We take the mesh and material for shading with a small margin. We fasten the woven mesh with self-tapping screws inside mobile chicken coop.
- The hinged lid of the poultry house is hinged to the upper transverse pipe.
You can make shading not only from the roof of the run, but for half of the structure, reducing the area with the mesh.
Such a mobile poultry house can be easily dragged to the desired location.
For greater mobility, wheels are made: holes are made in the lower rear pipe for a rail to which wheels for the trolley are screwed.
Making a wooden mobile chicken coop with your own hands
