I started building a Chicken Wagon so I could raise a few chickens and a couple of ducks. I gathered all the wood laying in discrete areas of the yard and hidden under things to use on this Pen/hutch. I gathered up an old wheel chair, childs wagon, grand pa's old wood hauler side boards an old small book cabinet thing used for holding tools in yard, and even the picnic table that was not being used. and made my chicken wagon.
As you can see. It is a work in progress. I used some guttering material to cover the edges of the pen area to allow for climbing in and out. Wagon wheels in back on platform to stand on and larger wheels on sides to allow for mobility. Side doors for accessing the eggs inside the hutch and top lifts to reach the 3rd floor.
It turned out too heavy to move with the very skinny wheels not supported with a solid axle.
It worked very nicely for the baby chicks and the two ducklings.
Until they got to be a month old. Time to move up to a mansion.
I spoke to a few neighbors and some relatives and asked for wood scraps that they were not using. Chose a spot in the front yard that was not being used and could be reclaimed as well as the wood.
I am not an architect nor a carpenter so as you will see this was a lot of fun. I went with an idea of what I thought would work for the birds and the tree/bush which is a Quince tree/bush. I figured that I could wheel the hut over to it and make an opening and join the two together. That didn't work as nicely as I'd hoped. I
had to chop the front of the chicken wagon and attach it directly to the big pen to allow them to keep sleeping in the hutch and lay eggs in a location I could access easily.
I also wanted to raise rabbit so I thought a good place to have them was under the tree along side of the chickens and ducks. I used some shelves from a neighbor for the boxes on the right to house the rabbits.
I wanted to put in a mulch area too. I framed one in under the shade tree and directly under the rabbit area on the right wall/side. I can use the area for a temporary green house area while the garden still needs to be tilled up...
Main objectives: Chickens, Ducks, mulch area, green house, Rabbits, Hammocks in shade for relax area, remove old deck under Walnut tree reclaim ground, transplant Strawberries into raised planter boxes, and provide us with Rabbit meat, eggs and a garden area while sharing our chicks and duckies with our grand daughter. Their is a lot of joy and love in raising ducks and chicks for a two year old.
I have to replace a few odd cut old 3x4's on the far right and 2x4's that are temporarily in place for support. I have ran out of 2x4's so I nee to make some more phone calls.... This is what I have so far. I used the left over wagon inside the pen.
i lined it with a very thick garbage bag for now and some rocks for the ducks to climb in and swim in. They love it!
The pen is considered as our "grand daughter's play pen". She loves it! See mee Ducks, Gram! See mee Ducks! She goes inside the pen and says Hi to each one of the ducks and chickens.
ALL of the hutches, pens, mulch bin, posts all the work has been done with RECLAIMED WOOD! My only investment was in nails, paint, and some misc. hardware pieces, chickens, ducks, rabbits and feed.
All under $100.00..... Not bad for a country girl living in town. It has been over twenty years since I have had farm animals. I still want a goat.... Ring Neck Pheasants, and a few other things done and put in... Put two more post holes in behind the hammocks on the outside for my actual green house area. I think I'd like to pen in the area out in front of the duck pen for Pheasants (smaller cages in under the bushes). I need more supplies to finish that area. One thing and one day at a time... Wish me luck & success!
