Wanted, a simple, do it yourself chicken coop

[Scott]

Here are plans for chicken house that I really like. It similar to mine (see my web site or BYC page) but its only half the size. It would be fairly easy to build.

 

[LeghornJosh]

I know this doesn't look like much but i just drafted it up about 30 minutes ago. The idea with this A-frame style tractor is to make a simple sturdy structure for my meat birds, i there for do not need nest boxes. Now imagine chicken wire all around, and half of it tarp covered. The footprint is 72" x 96" and 65" high. This is a super cheap tractor to build if you have some 2x4's laying around, and a couple of wheels. This design also requires netting or fence material on the bottom of the tractor to keep digging predators out.

 

[2txmedics]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=285702

SEVERAL LINKS TO DIFFERENT PLANS

 

[briteday]

Personally, I prefer to scan craigslist for chicken coops...just think outside the box. Wehn we only had 6 chickens I found a "chicken coop" that someone found on their property when they moved in, didn't want it...free for the taking. Then when we decided to increase the flock to 20 birds I looked again and found someone with an 8 x 10 wooden stoarge shed...$100 and you move, needed a paint job too. I couldn't buy the materials for the $150-200 invested with cost, fuel provided to friend with appropriate means to move it, and paint. The only other costs I've had are to buy some chainlink dog runs. I have found 2-4 runs fairly cheap due to home foreclosures over the last few years. I'd like a few more so I can easily create breeding pens, but with a child in college right now...might have to wait a few years.

Last week I found a coop for my neighbor on craigslist. Soem guy had this dog house for three large dogs. It was based on 4 x 8 sheets of plywood, and is plenty big enough to house a small flock of 6-8 birds. Free for the taking, you haul, bring a tuck and a couple of guys to load. They brought it home, hinged one side of the roof so they can access inside for cleaning/eggs/etc, added some roosts, built a couple of nestboxes...and have a fine chicken coop to start a flock in. They are also using chainlink dog run panels for the run.

Even though my husband is a high school shop teacher, has all of the tools and shop space to build in, gets awesome discounts at the lumber and hardware suppliers...it is still way cheaper to buy or acquire for free something already built. It's at least worth a look.

 

[2txmedics]

yup I do the CL ad's alot also....and Free cycle also....you can find awesome things, sometimes even driving by and seeing something not being used, stopping and asking someone. But then again we live in a small town....

 

[waldeneffect]

This animation sums up the first day of construction.

Here's a blog post on how it got finished.

http://www.avianaquamiser.com/posts/Homemade_chicken_tractor:_part_I/