Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

So I've been reading the old posts on coop plans and chicken tractors and I've decided I need to start building these.

All the birds ran loose last year (two hens disappeared out of 15) and my wife has put her foot down that this cannot continue (clean shoes? Humbug!). Not to mention wild birds and mice eating my feed, or the pugs keeping the chickens at a distance from the house, or the potential diseases from wild birds.

My work can have me out many evenings and "the crew" is not reliable at locking them in.

Given that March weather is here (two weeks early!) small construction projects are perfect for now.

So I'd ask you all to submit pics of your moveable coops while I build one or two: thanks.

Hoop houses!!! I am building a couple 12 foot by 4 foot ones this year as grow outs for meat birds and future breeders.

I am going with a base from of 2x4s to save a bit of weight over 2x6s, use either pvc or metal conduit for the hoops. I plan to cover in 1" x 1" welded wire, install a few 2x4 roost bars, feeder and waterer mounted on end. Vapour barrier poly over half of the top for shelter from rain.

Why not just free range? Or use an electric fence system? Seems like a lot of work for backyard chickens.

Maximus wrote:QR_BBPOST Why not just free range? Or use an electric fence system? Seems like a lot of work for backyard chickens.

Lots of reasons not to free range... predators, animals eating food left out, increased risk of disease from contacting wild birds...

This year I will be able to free range...last year a fox took off with a couple of my birds but the wolves are back so there won't be any foxes around here for the summer. The wolves don't seem to ever bother with the chickens. We did have an eagles nest nearby last year so I might have to watch for those if they use the same nest again this year. Hoop houses are a great idea...and perfect if you want a strip of lawn readied for a new garden :)

tcamp wrote:QR_BBPOST This year I will be able to free range...last year a fox took off with a couple of my birds but the wolves are back so there won't be any foxes around here for the summer. The wolves don't seem to ever bother with the chickens. We did have an eagles nest nearby last year so I might have to watch for those if they use the same nest again this year. Hoop houses are a great idea...and perfect if you want a strip of lawn readied for a new garden :)

Ya I have 2 new raised garden beds going in this spring when my hoop houses are right now.

Maximus wrote:QR_BBPOST Why not just free range? Or use an electric fence system? Seems like a lot of work for backyard chickens.

Ha! Ha! I think you missed the part about the wife wanting clean shoes. For some reason when my chickens free range they like to congregate where you walk and all over, I imagine that's his problem.

Kenya wins the RTFP award! (read the freakin post) yep Carla wants the birds "cooped" instead of the garden fenced in and her shoes cleanish.

I like the birds to survive and lay eggs (and ) where I want them to.

bring on the moving coops!

I found this today while surfing coop ideas...:P