Puppy Care

Where chicken predators are common, a chicken ark allows them to have new grazing, but keeps them safe as well.

The chicken ark is designed to be moved around, giving chickens new ground to forage and browse on, but as the run is enclosed, it keeps them safe. The roosting and nesting area is integral to the chicken ark so they have a sheltered area for night time. If predators do try to get into the run – the chickens are tucked up in the roosting area.

When you are around to keep an eye on your chickens, you can let them out, and then put them back in the chicken ark run when you go out.

The roosting space is in the pointed part of the ark, in the bigger, taller types, with the open run below. The top of the ark shades the run and provides some shelter.

The simple chicken ark has encloded roosting at nesting at one end, then a triangular section run at the other end. This chicken ark design means the run is open to the elements – so the chickens get sun wind and rain, just like the free range outdoors. Your eggs will have all the nutritional value of free range eggs, and your chickens will be safe.

It is important to move the arks regularly though – every day if necessary.

Rough ground or grass – put the ark where you want the chickens to forage.their diet will consist of a wide varity of foods, so the eggs will have more flavor.

Chickens can graze on rough ground, be sited on bed in the fall, or can be kep on grass. The droppings provide instant fertilizer, but won’t build up as you’ll be moving the ark regularly.

The ‘run at the side’ type of chicken ark tends to be lighter and so easier to move, with the roosting part at ground level. For a starter hen house, this is a great design and easy to build.

Building your own chicken ark should result in an attractive, well-designed hen house, which will last for years, give you and your hens a lot of pleasure – and save you a considerable amount.