Quality moveable chicken coop for up to 15 hens

[Chasingmytail]

The Fella keeps promising me to make one but lets to honest its not going to happen. We had the old eggmobile for 100 but Ive only got 12 now and want something lightweight and keep close to the house. Im struggling to find something without the £1k price tag. I see a lot advertised but without seeing it can guarantee the quality much of the run of the mill is flimsy and cheap timber. Best Ive see is stuff by Smiths Sectional but I would still need to build a decent chassis as the wheels they put on these things are rubbish. My initial idea was to put some kind of hut on an old small trailer chassis that I could move with the quad. Without a hitch going to be difficult to move up a hill or move distance. I want to be able to move it myself without the usual drama of getting machinery out and swearing.

Any ideas or pictures?

 

[tepapa]

Are the plastic hutches any use? You may need to add a chassis but they're easier cleaned and less risk of red mite apparently.

Solway recycling do some and arkus is another make I've been looking into.

 

[JP1]

The Fella keeps promising me to make one but lets to honest its not going to happen. We had the old eggmobile for 100 but Ive only got 12 now and want something lightweight and keep close to the house. Im struggling to find something without the £1k price tag. I see a lot advertised but without seeing it can guarantee the quality much of the run of the mill is flimsy and cheap timber. Best Ive see is stuff by Smiths Sectional but I would still need to build a decent chassis as the wheels they put on these things are rubbish. My initial idea was to put some kind of hut on an old small trailer chassis that I could move with the quad. Without a hitch going to be difficult to move up a hill or move distance. I want to be able to move it myself without the usual drama of getting machinery out and swearing.

Any ideas or pictures?

Watching as I'm interested

Friends who are poultry keepers tell me not to obsess about wood and red mite as you can deal with them by medicating the drinking water if necessary

I'd like something I can see the birds easily too

 

[tepapa]

Large Chicken House

arkus.co.uk

Plastic Hen Houses For Sale | Plastic Chicken Coops Scotland

Hen Houses built and manufactured in Scotland UK wide next day delivery available

www.solwayrecycling.co.uk

 

[Chasingmytail]

I like the shepherds house style - thats going to cost! Mites are a pain but with a metal roof and painted/treated wood should be ok. Jet washed and sanitized the huts many a time.

 

[Chasingmytail]

Nice & expensive this is £1200 but those wheel wont work. Im sure we could make something similar but time is the issue

 

[Chasingmytail]

why do they always put in square section perching bars - never makes sense to me hens feet want to be around a smooth around/semi perch.

 

[Chasingmytail]

Smith sectional buildings they put on wheels. This is the Sherwood 12. Nice video and good ideas on keeping it clean inside

 

[Guleesh]

The eggmaster pro 3000, built on deer fence posts for skids, mesh floor, integrated feedbag store and external nesting box lids, fully towable with quad from chain attached to base. maybe you don't need wheels? 15 happy hens in here atm but wouldn't want to squeeze in any more. Just try and shame your fella into building you something?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I've made a couple different designs.

Sorry for poor picture.

2nd is the highly portable, and is based on Justin Rhodes' "chickshaw" (search for it on YouTube) with electric netting around.

1st one I move every day with the quad.

 

[Chasingmytail]

Brilliant PoorbutHappy. We do have the plans for the JR Chicksaw but wasnt sure if I could physically move it - Im a fan of the slatted type floor last thing I want to be doing is clearing out muck. Both are really good.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Brilliant PoorbutHappy. We do have the plans for the JR Chicksaw but wasnt sure if I could physically move it - Im a fan of the slatted type floor last thing I want to be doing is clearing out muck. Both are really good.

Ours doesn't really have big enough wheels. JR's are bigger which would be easier, but my daughter moves it around, though asks for help if its not level going.
Mesh floor so just a bit of brushing through keeps it clean.

 

[pipkins]

Smith's Sectional without a doubt, have a good browse on their website but they are open to discussion about tweaking designs to suit too. Paying to have it put together for you is money well spent too if you've got it to spare as they whizz through and are lovely chaps too, they like a decent coffee if it's the same team as has been to us a couple of times but they are a super company all round, thoroughly recommend.

 

[J B]

Best Ive see is stuff by Smiths Sectional but I would still need to build a decent chassis as the wheels they put on these things are rubbish.

Best read this bit in bold below then

Smith's Sectional without a doubt, have a good browse on their website but they are open to discussion about tweaking designs to suit too. Paying to have it put together for you is money well spent too if you've got it to spare as they whizz through and are lovely chaps too, they like a decent coffee if it's the same team as has been to us a couple of times but they are a super company all round, thoroughly recommend.

although I don't think they are currently doing the assembly service because of the C19 restrictions.

Give them a call perhaps?

Chicken Coops | Poultry Housing | Duck and Goose Housing | Goat Shelters - Smiths Sectional Buildings

Handmade British Poultry Houses, Hen Coops and Runs, Chicken Sheds, Duck and Goose Houses, Goat Shelters and wooden animal houses for sale online from Smiths Sectional Buildings UK

www.smithssectionalbuildings.co.uk

 

[Still Farming]

Wasters around here the other night ,NICKED the chickens ,hen house and feed hoppers all in one from accros the fields?
Think a good15 x15 ft shed too???
Bolt down and electrify good idea allegedly?

 

[SilliamWhale]

Salatin style chicken tractor?

 

[Poorbuthappy]

Salatin style chicken tractor?

His chicken tractors are for broilers.
He does have his "millennium feathernet" which would need majorly scaling down for 15 hens!
John Suscovitch has a more upright chicken tractor design which some have modified for layers. Mine pictured above is a scaled up version of that really.

 

[Jack Russell]

Do you think the plastic huts would get a bit hot? I think some are in black that looks like a bit of a potential oven. The arkus one mentioned above seems a nice unit in a sensible colour.

 

[tepapa]

Do you think the plastic huts would get a bit hot? I think some are in black that looks like a bit of a potential oven. The arkus one mentioned above seems a nice unit in a sensible colour.

They tend to lay and sleep in the coups. Chickens should have other shade within the run.

 

[Castle Farm]

Buying a properly made hen house is expensive. They need to be made from timber that is thick enough to give some degree of insulation from temperature change. Size is not just about wing room ,but AIR SPACE and ventilation as foul air will cause serious health issues.
Tin roofs will cause condensation and when the birds are at roost water vapour will made the atmosphere unhealthy.
I have always built my own coops and runs and every board is treated with creosote before assembly to prevent Red Mite attack.

These are 4 bird runs and hens are allowed out in daylight.