For backyard farmers, the answer to this old question is "neither." Must come to the hen house before the chicken or egg. Or in this case, the coupe. Because of the love of word games and a garage full of fragments of old renovation projects, you might say that I was driven to this egg stream.
My idea of building a small chicken coop came up a year ago, when I started thinking about the poultry housing market and decided that I could build something by myself. My first idea was to use an old-fashioned car body, but I found that this kind of shell is out of my price range. Then it occurred to me that in addition to the curved fenders, plywood can be used to simulate an old Model A car, which is essentially a box with wheels. I peeked on Craigslist for a few weeks and found a set of worn-out but usable fenders from the 29-year-old Ford for only $50.
For the chassis, I recycled an old single axle 4 x 8 foot trailer. Cover the frame with 1-inch steel wire, forming an easy-to-clean floor and cesspit. I fumbled for the tire in the garbage dump. The hubcaps are simply round painted plywood. For this, I must owe it to my wife, who bravely fried an egg so that I can make the ratio of yolk to white just right.
I can access the three nesting boxes under the "dashboard" by opening the side door or the hood. The coupe supports a 12 x 12 foot fence, which has a roof and is connected to a foot below the ground to deter predators.
A few whimsical front-end details I added provide the coupe with the finishing touches. The headlight is a burnt out floodlight bulb in the reflector of the work light; the colorful hood decoration comes from a thrift store. Finally, I found a website that allows me to design my own license plate for $15.
One last suggestion, let those brave people imitate my coupe: Although this car is stationary, a handy person can build one on a light truck equipped with a movable front axle. If you connect the front end to a gardening tractor and a lightweight wheeled pen on the back, you can let your chickens graze in different positions. Why, they can even cross the road.
Thomas Schmidt Grants Pass, Oregon
If you have also built a cool chicken coop, please send us the photo and we will consider publishing it. Please send to Letters@MotherEarthNews.com; or write to Coop Photos; Mother Earth News; 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609. - Mother
Using some PVC, fluorescent shop lights, some chains, and some other materials, you can create a low-cost growth light setup for starting seedlings indoors or growing plants throughout the year.
Understand the docile temperament of traditional American guinea pigs, understand their foraging habits, and help protect them by raising breed awareness.
Author and poultry breeder Gail Damerow shares how to protect your flock from predators large and small in your area.
In MOTHER EARTH NEWS for 50 years, we have been committed to protecting the natural resources of our planet and at the same time helping you protect your financial resources. You will find tips to cut heating bills, grow fresh natural produce at home, and more. This is why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing to our earth-friendly auto-renewing savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you can save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of "Mother Earth News" for only $12.95 (US only).
You can also use the Bill Me option and pay $17.95 for 6 installments.
Canadian subscribers-click here
International subscribers-click here
Canadian subscription: 1 year (including postage and GST)
Copyright 2021, all rights reserved | Ogden Press