I'm quite pleased with this little project now it's finished.
The old style wheels really set it off. It's light enough to be moved around when needed, but I've used thick enough timber so it will last.
Dad made the metal axle up for me as I don't really do much metal work, but he kept worrying about whether I'd built the coop strong enough to be pushed around. I think he thought I was about to attempt the Dakar Rally in it the way he was talking! I only plan on moving it 10 or 20 yards every couple of weeks when the hens need moving on to a fresh bit of grass so I think it will be fine.
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| I do need to make a cover for the large vent so I can alter how much ventilation they get and stop driving rain. |
Every time I build a coop I learn from the last one. This time I made the door for cleaning it only half of the front, last time it was too large and awkward to open.
I've also made the nest boxes much lower than the perches this time, as I've been having trouble with birds sleeping in the nest box and I hope this will stop this.
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| Having the wheels on the coop should mean I'll be able to move it on my own when I want to |
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Moving it out of the garden into the field. Visibility isn't great when you're pushing it!
You need to make sure your path is clear first. |
A nice project which I enjoyed making (terrible really when I spend all day cutting wood for a living as well!). All I need to do now is move the hens in and then train them to climb up the ramp each night, hopefully they'll learn pretty quick!
Well done Kevin....a lovely piece of work
ReplyDeleteThanks John!
DeleteNice job. Wish I could keep chickens but local zoning ordinances prohibit it. Need to move to a place that gives me a bit more elbow room.
ReplyDeleteI'd hate that! I used to keep chickens at our last place as well and that was in the middle of a village, no one seemed to mind (except the cockeral!)
Deletethats brilliant! your hens will be happy there! i know what you mean about improving on each one, the 1st hen house we made was out of an old chest of drawers back in 2007 and we just threw it out when we moved, the second one was much better - up off the ground and we sold it for €50 when we moved and our current one we are SO proud of! moveable and perfect for backyard hen keeping - totally different design to yours http://ajourneytoadream.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/hens-hens-hens.html
ReplyDeleteCheers! I'vem ade some sort of coops now. The last one I left at our old house as it was part of the pen. Your's looks neat, I need to make some bigger closed in pens for the bantams (the one's in this pen are going to be "semi free ranged")
DeleteI think thats a great little tractor coop. I do hope the birds like it. We have built a few from sheds complete with runs which are a joy to clean out as everything is removable. I have pictures in my book if you are interested.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thechickenwhisperer.co.uk/2013/03/book-signing.html
Thanks for the link Sue. I'm pretty happy with this design so far but I'll have to see how the birds like it for a few weeks before I start planing the next one in my head!
DeleteThat is similar to one that a guy near here built only you have a vastly better setup for moving it. He had a single tongue like a wagon which was hard to deal with.
ReplyDeleteI think next time I would make the handles longer though as it would make it easier to see when you're pushing it.
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