Low-Cost Mobile Chicken Coop

Low-Cost Mobile Chicken Coop BUILDINGS Livestock Mary Phillips liked the idea of raising a few “free range” chickens to sell to local food markets but didn’t like the cost involved in using commercial portable chicken coops So she had a local farmer build a portable 12 by 16-ft chicken house which is mounted on 4-in skids so it can be moved to pasture during summer A wood frame pen screened over with chicken wire is attached to the shed The building’s metal exterior insulation and wallboard provide year-round shelter for up to 30 laying hens By early May the building is warm enough to start baby chicks Sliding all-weather windows and a screen door provide ventilation A motion light scares off varmints and chicken thieves Birds can enter through a small door and “ramp up” to nests and roosts “I spent a total of about $2 000 whereas smaller portable chicken houses that hold only 8 chickens sold at farm stores can sell for as much as $600 and aren’t insulated or have windows ” says Mary “The chicken house sets in the back part of our yard and we dump vegetable scraps garden trimmings and even grass clippings into the enclosure for the birds to eat ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Mary Phillips 13438 710th Ave Zearing Iowa 50278 ph 641 487-7436; cell 515 290-9667

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.