Chicken Arks, How to Choose the Ideal Type For You
Chicken arks are the attractive triangular-section chicken coops sometimes called chicken tractors - as they are generally designed to be moved around.
They come in a range of shapes and sizes, suitable for different numbers and sizes of chicken, so it can be confusing when you're starting out to know what sort to choose.
They can be expensive to buy, but as chicken arks are all based on the triangular shape, they are simple to make from a good set of plans.
Start by working out what size of chicken ark you will need.
Ask yourself:
You need about 4.
5 square feet of space per chicken, somewhere for them to scratch and peck around, space for them to perch (each bird needs 9 inches of perch length) and of course somewhere for them to lay eggs.
Part of the chicken ark should provide shelter from wind and rain, but chickens are surprisingly hardy and generally don't need additional warmth - they will tend to huddle up together when its cold.
Many people let their chickens roam free, and choose a design without a run, shutting their chickens up in the house at night.
Others prefer to give their chickens their own space but in a confined run.
This will depend on whether you want your chickens in your vegetable patch and scratching around your prize blooms, or not.
It's also important to think about predators - some, like foxes, can be active even during the day.
Chicken arks have an integral run as part of the design.
They either have a roosting space and nest boxes at one end, and an attached run (these are very easy to make and move around your yard), or they have run at the base and space above in the apex for the chickens to roost.
Most chicken arks have rails along each side extending to handles at each end, or handles at either end of the apex, so they can be moved around the garden or backyard.
Some arks have wheels so they are easier to move - often this design is called a chicken tractor.
Traditional chicken arks can be very attractive and are not difficult to make.
There are also numerous companies who make them - at a price.
So if you're just starting to keep chickens, consider finding some plans and instructions and having a go at making yours.
That's how I got started - it was an economical solution, looks attractive, and my chickens seem very happy.
They come in a range of shapes and sizes, suitable for different numbers and sizes of chicken, so it can be confusing when you're starting out to know what sort to choose.
They can be expensive to buy, but as chicken arks are all based on the triangular shape, they are simple to make from a good set of plans.
Start by working out what size of chicken ark you will need.
Ask yourself:
- How much space you want to take up
- How many chickens you are going to keep
- How much you want to spend
- Whether you want an enclosed run
- Whether you can build the chicken ark yourself
- Whether you want a permanent structure or one you can move around
You need about 4.
5 square feet of space per chicken, somewhere for them to scratch and peck around, space for them to perch (each bird needs 9 inches of perch length) and of course somewhere for them to lay eggs.
Part of the chicken ark should provide shelter from wind and rain, but chickens are surprisingly hardy and generally don't need additional warmth - they will tend to huddle up together when its cold.
Many people let their chickens roam free, and choose a design without a run, shutting their chickens up in the house at night.
Others prefer to give their chickens their own space but in a confined run.
This will depend on whether you want your chickens in your vegetable patch and scratching around your prize blooms, or not.
It's also important to think about predators - some, like foxes, can be active even during the day.
Chicken arks have an integral run as part of the design.
They either have a roosting space and nest boxes at one end, and an attached run (these are very easy to make and move around your yard), or they have run at the base and space above in the apex for the chickens to roost.
Most chicken arks have rails along each side extending to handles at each end, or handles at either end of the apex, so they can be moved around the garden or backyard.
Some arks have wheels so they are easier to move - often this design is called a chicken tractor.
Traditional chicken arks can be very attractive and are not difficult to make.
There are also numerous companies who make them - at a price.
So if you're just starting to keep chickens, consider finding some plans and instructions and having a go at making yours.
That's how I got started - it was an economical solution, looks attractive, and my chickens seem very happy.
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