Building a Chicken Coop on Wheels: A Simple Guide
Having a chicken coop on wheels offers numerous benefits for both your chickens and your garden. The ability to move the coop to fresh ground helps prevent the buildup of waste, provides your chickens with fresh forage, and allows for a cleaner environment. Additionally, it reduces the impact on any one area of your lawn, allowing grass and plants to regenerate naturally.
If you’re considering building or purchasing a mobile chicken coop, here’s a guide to creating your own, along with a few tips on how to keep your chickens happy and healthy.
Materials Needed:
- Wooden boards (for framing)
- Mesh wire (for walls and windows)
- Plywood (for floors and walls)
- Wheels (preferably heavy-duty for easy movement)
- Chicken roosts and nesting boxes
- Roofing material (such as corrugated metal or shingles)
- Tools: Drill, saw, hammer, screws, nails
- Paint or wood sealant (to protect the structure from the elements)
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Chicken Coop on Wheels
1. Design Your Coop
Before you start building, sketch out your coop design. You’ll need to consider:
- Size: How many chickens do you plan to keep? A typical chicken requires about 2-3 square feet of space in the coop and 8-10 square feet in the run.
- Features: Include a roosting area, nesting boxes, ventilation, and enough space for the chickens to roam and forage.
- Wheels: Choose durable wheels that can support the weight of the coop and make it easy to move, even over grass or uneven ground.
2. Build the Frame
Construct the base frame using wooden beams. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to support the rest of the structure and the weight of the chickens. Secure the frame to the wheels, ensuring they can rotate and allow for easy movement.
3. Build the Walls and Roof
Next, install the walls using plywood or other materials. Leave space for windows or mesh areas to allow ventilation. The roof should be slanted to avoid rain collection and ensure the coop remains dry. Corrugated metal or shingles are great choices for roofing.
4. Add Doors and Windows
Install easy-access doors for cleaning and egg collection. Include a small door or hatch for the chickens to enter and exit the coop. Adding windows made of mesh wire allows for better airflow while keeping predators out.
5. Install the Nesting Boxes and Roosts
Inside the coop, install nesting boxes for egg laying and roosting poles where the chickens can sleep. Make sure the boxes are easily accessible to you for egg collection.
6. Install the Wheels
Attach the wheels to the four corners of the coop base. Heavy-duty wheels will make it easier to roll the coop across grass or uneven terrain. Some designs use two fixed wheels in the front and two swivel wheels at the back to allow for easier maneuvering.
7. Weatherproofing and Protection
To ensure the coop is weather-resistant, seal any gaps between the wood with caulk or wood filler. Paint the wood with a weatherproof sealant or outdoor paint to protect it from rain and sun.
How to Use Your Chicken Coop on Wheels
Once the chicken coop is built, here’s how to maintain it and keep your chickens happy:
1. Move the Coop Regularly
One of the biggest benefits of a mobile chicken coop is that you can move it to fresh ground. Make sure to move the coop every few days to prevent the chickens from eating all the grass and making the area too dirty. This will also give your chickens access to new areas for foraging and scratching.
2. Keep the Coop Clean
While the ability to move the coop will help keep the ground underneath clean, it’s still important to regularly clean the inside. Make sure to remove any bedding or manure that may accumulate inside and replace it with fresh straw or bedding.
3. Provide Adequate Food and Water
As you move the coop around, ensure the chickens always have access to food and clean water. Set up a hanging feeder and waterer inside the coop, or use a free-standing one that can be moved along with the coop.
Benefits of a Mobile Chicken Coop
- Cleaner Environment: Moving the coop regularly prevents manure buildup and helps the chickens have access to clean ground.
- Better Forage: Chickens can graze on fresh plants, helping improve their diet and overall health.
- Reduced Wear on Your Lawn: Instead of allowing your chickens to trample the same area, rotating them around your yard can help maintain your lawn.
- Easy to Clean and Maintain: Moving the coop makes it easier to clean, and it reduces the need for frequent deep cleanings inside the coop.
Conclusion
Building a mobile chicken coop is a smart and practical way to provide a safe, healthy environment for your chickens while also benefiting your garden or lawn. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a comfortable, portable home for your chickens that will allow them to roam, forage, and lay eggs in a clean environment. A chicken coop on wheels not only makes caring for your flock easier but also helps your garden grow in a more sustainable way!
Happy chicken keeping! 🐔🌱