A portable chicken coop needs to meet the same requirements as its stationary counterparts. The chickens it will house need to be protected from predators and weather; they also need access to clean bedding, food, and water. Portable chicken coops are designed to be moved around a yard or pasture, so most have an open base. Also called a chicken tractor or chicken ark, a portable chicken coop can house a small to medium-sized flock of birds and allow them access to fresh ground each day.
A chicken tractor or portable chicken coop is handy for homeowners who live in areas with chicken restrictions. This type of coop allows the chickens to access fresh grass and sunlight without escaping or bothering the neighbors. Moving the coop from place to place ensures that the lawn will not be damaged by the chickens. Birds housed in a portable chicken coop can still rid a yard of pests or bugs, covering one section at a time.
A homemade portable chicken coop can be made by using purchased plans and basic tools and lumber. Individuals skilled with building or woodworking may be able to design their own coops. Some portable chicken coop designs have wheels, which make the coop easier to move around the yard. The weight of the finished coop should be considered during the design phase; ideally, a portable coop should be engineered to be movable by a single person.
Chickens housed in a portable coop need access to fresh food and water daily. If the chickens are kept in the portable chicken coop overnight, the coop should have a door that locks to keep predators away. Ideally, the coop will have an enclosed area that the chickens can sleep in each night; having a closed section will cut down on losses due to predation.
Bedding can be provided on the ground or in the enclosed house section of the coop. A few handfuls of straw per bird is enough to allow chickens to rest in comfort. Some portable chicken coop designs offer roosting areas as well; there should be enough space available for each bird to roost comfortably.
The number of birds that a portable coop can house depends on the type of bird and the size of the coop. Most standard breeds require about 4 square feet of coop space per individual bird. Smaller bantams need less space per chicken to be comfortable in a coop. Two to four hens can share a single nesting box or space; a second nesting box should be included for flocks containing more than four hens.