[smudger]

As part of our strategy for controlling rats we are looking to get a mobile/portable/easily moved hen house (they are currently in shed which sits over ratapolis). Anyone got a plastic one - I like the idea of an easily demountable house for washing down and it being dry quickly but can't tell if they are flimsy or not. Looking at greenfrogdesigns, eco henhouse and brinsea carefree coop.


If we go timber, Littleacre seem to have a good range, reasonably priced albeit utilitarian - anyone have theirs?


thank you...

[kegs]

I haven't got one but if I had the funds I'd like one of the Solwayrecycling houses.  A huge one, and a field to go with it! 

[chrismahon]

Plastic houses are heavy Smudger. We couldn't lift one and would have to dismantle it. Having said that when you move it the opportunity for a good cleanout presents itself. The ones I have seen come apart very quickly with pins and clips.
 
I don't know much about timber coops as I have built all of ours. I can say that having tried to use parts of old sheds the point where nail guns push the head of the nail below the surface of the timber is the point where the cladding starts to rot. Good coops are 16mm cladding. We use 12mm on ours to keep the weight down as they have to be mobile. I've also seen coops where the external nestbox lid isn't sealed to the coop wall so rain runs down and into the box. Also badly fitted doors where rain gets in at the top because there is no weather strip.

[clydesdaleclopper]

If we go timber, Littleacre seem to have a good range, reasonably priced albeit utilitarian - anyone have theirs?

We have a Hinstford that we use a for broodies and a Grosvenor. Build quality is good and sturdy and they have lasted well. However, there are a few design niggles. On the Hintsford the hinges are too flimsy for the size of roof and the design means it is very difficult to fit a stay to hold it open. The Grosvenor has a door at the back for access but it isn't really big enough if you are trying to reach hens at night to administer to them as you can only get at a few of them.