Chicken Ark on Forsham Design

[dealhound]

Don't mind at all! Please help yourself. As mentioned earlier, I got all my inspiration from other people on this forum and around the web. I would warn you though that the angles make the building a little tricky. Lots of angle cuts.

The chickens have been in for a couple of weeks now, and they really love it. There is no wasted space, yet they all fit nicely. Also gives them total protection from wind, rain and predators. I did add a set of wheels so that I could move it around by myself like a wheel barrow. The only other thing left to add is a mounted feeder on one end's door and a hanging waterer.

Thanks again for the nice comments!

Tim

 

[twigg]

Looks great.

I need to get on with building a coop too, we have 10 Buff Orpington chicks in the brooder. I plan to base mine on the Lenham 504 with the Rye run.

I lived just two or three miles from Forsham Cottage Arks for many years. My parents owned one of their Dovecotes, and both they and I had poultry housing from them. The owners and staff really are the nicest people.

You might want to consider some ridge ventilation in yours .... could get a little stuffy up top.

 

[dealhound]

The Forsham designs certainly have a lot of things to like about them. I like the Lenham designs as well, but I wanted the movable ark. I have really enjoyed this project and am very happy with the way the buffs have took to them. I plan to build two more coops (at least this spring. One, I will make again on this same Forsham design. I plan to put a flock of 6 pullets and a roo of Lakenvelders in the ark. The other will be on a design I saw in a poultry book for a stationary coop with a wire run. I will put a flock of Australorps in this one. They are all in a brooder box right now! The new ark will be made to the same dimensions as this one, but I am changing the materials to make it lighter. I have found a source for some cedar siding boards and I will use smaller boards for the ribs. This should cut the weight by an easy third (those decking boards are heavy!)

Here are a couple of pictures of my ark since I added the training wheels. To move it, you lift the end with the wheels and the wheels rotate under to ark, holding it about 3 inches off the ground. Then you walk to the other end and push it like a wheelbarrow. You can raise the ramp, if you want. I usually do this if I am going to move far (I do this after the chix roast in the evening, this locking them upstairs), but if I am to move just a short way, I just move slowly and let them walk along with me. Moving it by myself is now very doable. Not easy, it is still heavy, but not a problem. Let me know what you think.

Tim

 

[okto]

dealhound

how about some pictures of the interior, with the side off

thanks

 

[Corey NC]

About how much did it cost you to make?

What are the deminsions?

 

[dealhound]

Quote:
Okto,

There are pictures of the interior (and exterior from all angles) on my original post. Take a look at these and see if it is not what you need. I will be glad to repost or send you pics by email if you cannot see these.

Dealhound

 

[dealhound]

Quote:
You know, I really didn't keep good records, but I am sure that I have a couple hundred in it including all the hardware, lumber, screws, wires etc, maybe more. Just the wheels and associated hardware and screws cost almost $30. Still, I believe Forsham sells them for over $1000 - in England! Would hate to know about shipping

It is the same dimensions as the listed dimensions on the Forsham website for the 903. That is 90 inches long with a roost of 65 inches. Says it is big enough for 8 hens? Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell. Mine will free range a lot, so that will take some stress off. The bottom, screened section is about 25 inches headroom. It has 24 inch 1 inch hardware cloth wire. It is 52 inches wide at the base, about 47 inches tall from the ground.

Tim Martin

 

[Corey NC]

oh I see your in NC, ya want to build me one?

 

[dealhound]

Quote:
Corey,

Oh, did I mention the dozens of hours that I had in the making of the thing! Let me get another couple under my belt, get a little faster, find more suitable materials. It might get to the point that I could make one for a reasonable price? Not sure what that is, though!

Tim

 

[SillyChick]

Very nice ark! Great job. You're chickens sure are having a good time. Hmmm......I think I want a chicken ark, too. Please don't mind if I use your design. My family looked at the pics and he was amazed and thrilled to do it, but - will they agree to help me?

Thanks for sharing the awesome pics! It's really good and I hope I can have one also.