Because new chicken ranchers are looking for answers on what to do to get the most out of their new love of raising chickens, I want to help answer the question - Do I need hen ark plans that will give me a permanent or a portable hen ark? Portable The hen ark plans that show you how to build a smaller compact version are going to give you a few advantages over a larger ark.
For the chicken rancher living in the city or with limited space, you want the ark to be light weight for easy relocation when necessary.
If you choose hen ark plans that do not include a cover, you might want to move your ark under a patio or over hang during rain.
Summertime can get pretty hot, so you might want to move your ark under the shade of a tree.
Another advantage in being able to move easily is that if you are looking to give your chickens the same atmosphere as free range chickens.
The movable structures give you the ability to move to a new location of your yard easily.
By moving your chickens it gives them new ground to hunt and peck for food, bugs, worms, dried grass, fresh grass.
The rotation to new locations not only gives the chickens fresh ground, it allows your yard to recover and grow new grass.
The smaller structures are so light that you can move your chickens daily if you choose to, which is a benefit many ranchers enjoy.
If you are a smaller chicken rancher I would recommend looking into the smaller hen ark plans.
Permanent The hen ark plans that show you how to build a permanent non-movable ark are a little more advanced in carpentry skills.
They usually involve footings of either concrete post saddles at the corners or a continuous footing at the perimeter, depending on the hen ark plans you choose.
If durability and longevity is your goal I would recommend a good foundation that will endure all types of weather conditions.
If you are looking to build permanently but you think it could be relocated at a later date, you should go with the concrete and posts at the corners.
This method will allow you the ability to disassemble and rebuild at a new location in the future.
The larger arks have more options like having two or three levels, ground level for a chicken run and the other levels to allow for roosting or nesting.
The larger arks also give you more room for maintaining the living quarters of your chickens.
Permanent hen ark plans also give the adequate ventilation requirements to allow for the healthy environment your chickens need.
Many unaware chicken ranchers forget that chickens need adequate ventilation.
The outcome is sick chickens that won't be producing eggs.
Please take these suggestions that I was happy to share with you, and I hope they will help you with your decision on what is best for your situation.
For the chicken rancher living in the city or with limited space, you want the ark to be light weight for easy relocation when necessary.
If you choose hen ark plans that do not include a cover, you might want to move your ark under a patio or over hang during rain.
Summertime can get pretty hot, so you might want to move your ark under the shade of a tree.
Another advantage in being able to move easily is that if you are looking to give your chickens the same atmosphere as free range chickens.
The movable structures give you the ability to move to a new location of your yard easily.
By moving your chickens it gives them new ground to hunt and peck for food, bugs, worms, dried grass, fresh grass.
The rotation to new locations not only gives the chickens fresh ground, it allows your yard to recover and grow new grass.
The smaller structures are so light that you can move your chickens daily if you choose to, which is a benefit many ranchers enjoy.
If you are a smaller chicken rancher I would recommend looking into the smaller hen ark plans.
Permanent The hen ark plans that show you how to build a permanent non-movable ark are a little more advanced in carpentry skills.
They usually involve footings of either concrete post saddles at the corners or a continuous footing at the perimeter, depending on the hen ark plans you choose.
If durability and longevity is your goal I would recommend a good foundation that will endure all types of weather conditions.
If you are looking to build permanently but you think it could be relocated at a later date, you should go with the concrete and posts at the corners.
This method will allow you the ability to disassemble and rebuild at a new location in the future.
The larger arks have more options like having two or three levels, ground level for a chicken run and the other levels to allow for roosting or nesting.
The larger arks also give you more room for maintaining the living quarters of your chickens.
Permanent hen ark plans also give the adequate ventilation requirements to allow for the healthy environment your chickens need.
Many unaware chicken ranchers forget that chickens need adequate ventilation.
The outcome is sick chickens that won't be producing eggs.
Please take these suggestions that I was happy to share with you, and I hope they will help you with your decision on what is best for your situation.
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