temporary-chicken-coop

How to Make a Temporary Chicken Coop

Below you will find a detailed step-by-step guide on how to make a temporary chicken coop.

furnish-temporary-chicken-coop

  • Experience Required: Low
  • Tools Required: Protective gloves, Tape Measure, Marker, Utility square, Wire cutters, Hammer, Hacksaw, Drill
  • Materials Required: Chicken wire or Chicken wire PVC, Timber battens (like two-by-fours), Plastic sheet, Staples, Screws, Hinges, Hook & Eye Latch

Step 1) Design Your Plan

plan-chicken-coop

  • While planning how to make a temporary chicken coop, you can design it in various shapes and sizes based on your preferences.
  • Make sure to include a roof for protection and a door for easy access.

 

Step 2) Measure the Wood

measure-wood-chicken-coop

  • Use a tape measure and timber battens to measure and mark your lengths.
  • These will form the structural frames of the enclosure.

 

Step 3) Cut Battens

cut-wood

  • Cut your battens to size using a hacksaw and wear protective gloves.

 

Step 4) Join Battens Together

join-wood-battens

  • Use a utility square to ensure your angles are accurate.
  • Join the battens together using wood screws and a drill.

 

Step 5A) Construct Side Frames

construct-top-frames

  • Follow your design plan and the steps outlined in step 4 to create all the necessary wooden frames for construction.

 

Step 5B) Construct Top Frames

construct-top-frames

  • While constructing the roof, ensure to provide shade and include an access door.
  • Create a smaller top frame covered with netting and a larger top frame covered with plastic. 
  • This will serve as the roof and shade for the enclosure.

 

Step 6) Measure & Cut Mesh

cut-chicken-wire

  • Lay out your wire mesh on the frames and cut along the wood. 
  • Ensure that the mesh overlaps the wood to allow space for attachments.

 

Step 7) Attach Netting to Frames

attach-chicken-wire-wood

  • Attach the netting to the frames using staples placed every 15 cm.
     
     

Step 8) Join Side Frames

join-side-frames

  • Follow the instructions in step 4 to join the side frames together using wood screws and a drill.
     
     

Step 9) Attach Smaller Top Frame

  • Attach the smaller top frame with the same method used in step 8.

 

Step 10) Construct the Roof

create-plastic-roof

  • Position the larger top frame in place, ensuring not to attach it to the frames as done previously.
  • Secure a piece of plastic (or alternatively, wood or metal material) to the frame.
  • This will serve as the roof and provide shade for the chickens.
     

Step 11) Attach Hinges for the Access

attach-hinges-roof

  • Use screws to attach two or three hinges to one side of the wooden frame. 
  • This will allow you to access the chicken coop from the top.

     

     

Step 12) Attach Latch to Secure the Access

attach-latch-roof

  • Also, screw in a hook & eye latch on the opposite side to keep the door closed.
  • This setup will allow you to access the chicken tractor from the top.
     

 

Step 13) Optional: Attach Plastic to the Sides

plastic-sides-chicken-coop

  • You can also secure plastic to the sides for additional protection. 
  • Follow the procedure outlined in step 10 to cover the side frames.
     
     

 

Step 14) Move to Location & Furnish

furnish-temporary-chicken-coop

  • Your enclosure should now be ready.
  • It’s time to add food and water so your poultry can fully enjoy the outdoors.
     

 

Tips

  • Opt for PVC coated mesh for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
  • While planning how to make a temporary chicken coop, consider building an A-shape enclosure.
  • Since these coops are portable, you can move them to different areas to help control excess vegetation.
  • Use this as an emergency coop for sick hens or when introducing new chicks to your flock.
  • Consider adding wheels to your coop to turn it into a chicken tractor for easy mobility.
  • Alternatively, create a hoop coop using a wooden frame, hooped EMT or plastic piping, and cover it with greenhouse plastic.

 

Do’s and Don’ts

  • Provide or construct a roof and shaded area for chickens.
  • Ensure they have access to food and water.
  • Install roosting bars and nesting boxes.
  • Clean out their coop weekly.
  • If the coop is small enough, you can simply lift up a side for access instead of installing a door.

 

FURTHER READING

 

How-to-Make-a-Temporary-Chicken-Coop

 

Published by

Timi K

Timi K. is an illustrator and a genuine animal lover, and she couldn't hide it if she tried: she likes to offer fencing solutions especially for animal and pet related issues.

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