Posted: Wed Jan 07, 15 1:43 pm Post subject: Ussery A-frame - any thoughts?
In a few weeks time (in what will be the third real test of my diy skills following putting together the bee hives and laying the nursery floor) I'm planning on knocking together a mobile A-frame chook house in the style of Harvey Ussery as shown here:
https://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Building+a+Pasture+Shelter.html
Goal is to allow expansion of the flock this year and have something big enough to do that on wheels that I can tow around the orchard like a boss. Before I get too far down that road has anyone used this design or anything like it and have anything to offer in terms of design tweaks? I was thinking I'd definitely clad both ends to keep the wind out.
Joined: 06 Aug 2006 Posts: 8407 Location: South Cornwall
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 15 6:27 pm Post subject:
I like the open coop design.
It's been discussed here before that most poultry housing has little ventilation & IMHO causes a lot of respiratory problems.
In their natural environment chickens roost in trees & nest on the ground, all completely open to the elements.
They might eat a little more corn in the winter but I bet they live longer healthier lives.
One drawback with the design is rodent invasion. I've a house with an earth floor that I have to keep permanently baited. Even one moved daily would probably get the odd visitor.
Thanks all. I want to use it as a coop and I'd like to leave the ends or an end open as the plan shows but am worried it'd be too exposed on our current site (pretty windy). I'm considering whether I can leave it meshed and build an end plate that can be bolted on in bad weather/taken off when not absolutely needed.
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