The chick mobil is ready for chickens!
The basic plan was taken from Justin Rhodes' chickshaw. He gives the plans away for free.
Many comercial chicken coups are described as mobile but are so big and heavy, they never get moved. I wanted something that was truly mobile.
I really like the idea of no dig gardening and using your chickens to till and fertilise your garden. I also want my chickens to be largely free range and able to feed themselves, with grain as a supplement, rather than a main diet.
I also wanted something that would be easy for temporary carers for when we go on holiday.
And of course, fox proof, in case we are late getting home one night.
So, this is the might time accomodation. I think, in theory, it could accomodate 10 chickens. But we'll probably inly use it for up to 5. The plan is to use electric fence to give them an equally mobile day time run. And to build a "docking station" - a small fixed run, for when we are away.
You could say it is a giant wheelbarrow. (It's 1m square)
It has slide out nest boxes at the back for easy egg collection,
And a lift up roof, for easy access.
The idea for the feeder was borrowed from youtube. It's a plastic tub that should hold several days' feed, with a 90 degree drain pipe corner inserted in the side. Chickens get the feed by putting their heads in through the drainpipe hole. I liked the idea for reducing the waste - when chickens peck at food they tend to throw it around quite a lot. This should keep it contained.
And the waterer is also based on ideas gleaned from youtube. Its a chicken water cup inserted into drainpipe water container. I dislike the bell shaped cheap chicken water containers because the water always gets so dirty and everywhere around them gets so wet. The hope is to eventually connect this to a rain water collection system, but for now, it's me and a watering can for top ups. The downside is that it won't work when it freezes. Any ideas for solving that problem?
