The size a coop (house) can be and still be on wheels..???

[cafrhe]

I made my self a small coop out of a metal framed cart/trailer bought off of craigslist. It is about 4x7'. I believe I have maxed out on chickens...10 girls. They are pastured or free ranged, however you define either...

I am probably going to add girls and need a new coop. Was going to buy a 12'x 20' shed and put it near where the girls now reside. Obviously now the house would be permanently located but of a size where I am very flexible (could have many more chickens and still store their food etc in the shed.

Then I got to thinking--I really like the flexibility of the the coop on wheels. I am not sure I want to give that up. So, what size house can I get away with and still have it on wheels? My limitations are: right now only a lawn tractor to pull it (or me, my husband and 2 kids heaving and pushing to move it), my yard is uneven and sloped down. So moving it down would be fine....moving it back up may be a problem.

My hope would be to buy an 8x10 shed and put it on a home made frame with wheels that I could then pull it around on. Is that realistic? I have no clue how to make sure my frame and wheels were strong enough to hold an 8x10 shed. We will probably be getting an atv as a utility vehicle at some point, but dont have one yet.

Did I mention I am trying for as cheap as possible too.....

Thanks!

 

[CrazyTalk]

How big is going to depend on how light the materials you use are. Lawn tractors/rideon mowers aren't designed to tow a lot, but they will tow some - I pull field fence with mine sometimes.


I'd stay away from sheds... they're not going to be stable enough, or light enough for this. I'd build something, probably out of aluminum channel/angle iron/etc and metal roofing (much lighter than ply).

 

[cafrhe]

Thanks!

We are looking at flat trailers off of craigs list. And realizing that buying one and building something ourselves would be cheaper than a pre-made shed. We just wont count our labor!!

We put a plywood and shingle roof on the 1st coop and realize it was more expensive and not necessary!