How to expand this coop w/ pics

[hcammack]

I would like to add at least two ameraucana hens and a rooster to my flock this means expanding my existing chicken coop while still keeping it light enough and compact enough to move. The coop is only used to roost, lay, and shelter in so not to much extra space is nesaccary. The rooster will also sleep in the shed so he won't bother the neighbors. So my tractor is 4x6 and two feet hight. I could either put an extension on the side fairly easily because the plywood paneling is removable. But Maybe this would make it to heavy or ungainly to move. I could also probably put a second floor on and do a traditional coop system up there instead of a tractor. What do you more experianced builders think? here are some pictures:

Thanks in advance,
Henry

Henry

 

[sara]

You might as well just build a second one so you have plenty of room to expand

 

[hcammack]

True

I have to admit I was to busy and had no tools so I bought this coop from coops4you.com and It is definatly more sturdy than anything I would have bought at the time .

I will maybe build one if my mom would let me but for right now lets talk about how to make this one bigger !

Thanks,
Henry

 

[patandchickens]

Henry, if the tractor is only serving as 'coop' not as run or pen type space, what about just plywooding over the mesh part of it to make it all (or mostly) enclosed space? Would that be sufficient for you?

I fear that adding out to the sides would be (as my father used to tell me about things I built when I was 5) an Inherently Unstable Configuration; and building upwards would actually be more difficult to construct than just building a whole second tractor, as well as probably making it awfully heavy to move.

Good luck and have fun,

Pat

 

[hcammack]

I know I will have fun doing what ever I decide to do

the air circulation is great right now so I think I will just stick with this design and keep it simple. If I need more space I will make another smaller tractor

.

Thanks,
Henry

 

[Buster]

If you decide to add on, I recommend using 1/4 cdx board instead of plywood or osb board. Be sure to paint it. I used this on my chicken tractor and it made the thing so that I was at least able to drag it around the yard. Plywood makes things too heavy very quickly.