Chicken tractor at finished stage:

Opening the tractor door:

Nest box being ready to be placed on tractor coop:

Nest box placed on tractor coop:

Building the frame:

Total cost of the whole project

4 pieces of 10′ corrugated roofing – $50.00
3 – 2 x 6 x 8′ for framing – $10.50
7 – 2 x 4 x 8′ – $17.50
4 – 1 x 2 x 8′ wire cleats – $3.20
1/2 sheet of 1/2″ plywood – $5.00 ($10.00 if you have to buy a full sheet)
Stucco netting – 16′ @ .18 – $3.00 [$28.00 for a full roll (150')]
1 piece of 4″ x 4″ flashing – ridge cap – $8.00
1 piece metal corner trim – $4.00
1 pair 3″ x 3″ door hinges – $3.50
2 gate latches – $2.00
misc. screws, nails, etc. – $15.00 (Will be some left over)
3 feet of 4″ PVC pipe @ .80 – feeder – $2.40 ($8.00 for a 10′ piece)
2 – 4″ PVC elbows – feeder – $5.00
1 – 4″ PVC cap – feeder – $1.50
3 gallon metal waterer – $30.00

The whole project came out to $160.60, and this is only because the coop builder decided not to spend time looking for spare parts. $160.60 is still a very good deal for a chicken coop of its size. Want to build a coop just like this? Check out how to with this guide.

– Pictures taken from Azeglin of BackYardChickens.com

One mistake that is commonly made is the placement of the windows in the coop. Chickens and Hens love natural light. Actually, they need natural light, and the more, the better. Studies have shown that chickens that are exposed to more natural sunlight produce more eggs. The mistake builder make is the placement of the window. It is recommended that the window be placed on the south side of the coop, so sunlight is directed into the coop regularly. Also, the window needs to be placed high up on the coop so sunlight can easily pass into and through the coop.

The other big mistake is the placement of the feeder. Some hand-made coops feature feeders that are too high up in the coop. This results in smaller chickens not being able to reach the feeder. Other coops have feeders that are too low, which will result in a mess as the chickens attempt to eat from it. Feeders should be placed about 10-15 centimeters on the ground. This measurement also depends on the height of the chickens.

Having a well designed coop will go a long way in making sure your chickens are healthy and produce great eggs. Make sure you don’t make common coop construction mistakes by checking out this guide.

However, before you go to work on your chicken coop, you must consider a few things first. One thing you must consider is the size of the coop and the number of chickens you wish to hold. Small chicken coops offer more versatility in placement, they are easier to move, and they are easier to clean. Large chicken coops can hold more chickens and therefore you can get more out of your coop investment in the long term. If you have or wish to have many chickens, going with a large coop is a wise idea. If you want to only keep the chickens as pets, go with the small chicken coop.

Environment is also an important factor. If the climate is hot, the chickens need a spacious coop in order to avoid any heat exhaustion. If the climate around your coop is cold, you should build the coop in a way that the water supply will not freeze and the chickens get sunlight. Sunlight in any coop is important, because it catalyzes the production of eggs.

Interested in constructing your coop now? Check out this guide which will show you exactly how to build your own coop with inexpensive materials.

Holds More Chickens

This first one is a given. You should allow about two to three square feet per chicken. If you let them out during the day you can make it even smaller.

More Cost Effective

Creating a larger chicken coop requires less material per chicken. If you make a chicken coop that has twice as much area it will be 41% more efficient with the building material. That’s money in your pocket.

More Durable

Smaller chicken coops are usually portable, one of their desirable aspects. But with this comes a less durable chicken coop because it is lighter and experiences wear from transportation. A large chicken coop is not only more cost effective in its construction, but you can use it for years to come.

While small chicken coops have their own benefits, so do large chicken coops. If you are taking on the daunting task of building a large coop, it is imperative that you do so with the help of a guide. The larger risks of a large coop require further planning and knowledge before building.

Cost Less

Small chicken coops will undoubtely cost less than the larger kinds, because of the few amount of materials chicken coops require. You could even find some of the materials lying around your garage.

Mobile

If you ever need to move your chicken coop from one place to another, having a smaller chicken coop will help a lot. You could move your chicken coop around the yard, clean it with ease, or even take it to a friends as you leave on vacation.

Easy Upkeep

Cleaning a large chicken coop can be a hassle if you are inexperienced. Small chicken coops can be cleaned with ease and with more time between cleanings.

Less Space

If you don’t have a lot of room in your yard, a small chicken coop is great. You can easily place it throughout your yard no matter how tight the space is.

If you are interested in building a small chicken coop, check out this guide which will show you exactly how: Build a Small Chicken Coop.