Puppy Care

Free range, that was the idea when I bought my first chickens. Keeping chickens is very much about watching them as they graze and hunt. It didn’t work out quite like that. They started free ranging over to the neighbor’s yard, even getting on their bird table where they enjoyed the plump sunflower seeds.

A chicken coop that could be positioned in different places, seemed the best solution. They’d get new ground to explore, but couldn’t stray. When I was out in the backyard they could roam free, to give them some extra space to explore. This was the ideal – a freestanding chicken ark that gave the hens shelter at night and alowed them freedom to graze a new part of the yard every time I moved it.

There was a big but though, these beautuful chicken arks cost a bomb. The shipping on them added even more. So I went hunting for chicken ark plans. A set of simple plans and instructions were required (I only have basic skills). It was easy to find chicken ark plans, with clear instructions and additional plans for larger hen houses for when the flock expands.

As well as materials lists and clear diaframs to explain the construction process, there’s loads of information on keeping chickens. The chicken ark book has set us up completely.

Now I have a handsome chicken ark with handles at each end so I can move it around. The chickens are very contented. The roosting area and nest box ae covered to provide shelter, and the run is open so the chickens can peck around. I can put the chicken ark anywhere in my yard that I want cleared, and the neighbor’s bird table is back attracting wild birds, not backyard hens.

Now I’m planning to add to the flock. Should it be the simple hen house next, or shall I go the whole way and build the ultimate chicken coop, with a ridged roof and nestboxes down each side and a large run? It does look splendid, and I feel confident that with the chicken ark plans, I could make it quite easily.