Once the decision was made to keep a small flock of hens I began researching for the ideal coop design that would meet both the chickens' needs and mine. It had to be a compact and secure structure that gave adequate space for 10-12 hens. At the same time, I wanted to give my hens safe access to the outdoors without having them roosting on my porch railing.

Nesting boxes are conveniently located outside the coop for easy egg collection. The chicken run is completely enclosed in poultry net. The door drops to form a ramp and awning window gives light and ventilation. The hinged roof gives full access to the coop interior for cleaning and extra ventilation.

A movable "chicken tractor" type coop seemed the best route to follow in my design. So I endeavored to take the best aspects of various portable designs to incorporate into a coop that would best fill the bill.

My design features a 6' x 4' enclosed coop mounted 2' above ground. It has an enclosed pen under the coop protected in galvanized poultry netting and extended an additional 6' in front of the structure. Chickens are fully protected top and sides while in the outdoors. A hinged coop door that drops to form a handy ramp gives the birds quick access in or out of the coop. Total outdoor ground space is 6' x 10'. This allows birds plenty of fresh air and sunshine with the ability to get under the coop to get shade or escape rain.

Coop construction is mainly exterior plywood on a 2 x 3 framework using galvanized nails and screws. Outside pen area frame is from 1x and 2x pressure treated lumber. A large, homemade awning style window and several generous vent openings ensure good light and cross ventilation. The insulated metal roof is front hinged to swing upward for easy coop cleaning and additional ventilation when needed. A side hatch door puts water and feed receptacles within easy reach. To save interior space, the nesting boxes hang off the coop's rear wall-allowing fast and convenient egg collection from outside.

With a host of predators in the area, particular effort was made to protect the flock. All window and vent openings are covered with a double thickness of galvanized steel mesh. This same wire mesh is employed single thickness under the tongue-in-groove wood floor of the coop. Doors and awning window are equipped with double latches to thwart even the cleverest raccoon.

Every few days the coop complex gets moved 10 feet or so forward on a pair of rear wheels. This continually gives the hens fresh ground to traverse and keeps the area tidy. All in all this little portable coop keeps my nine hens healthy, happy, and safe.