Pasture Poultry Ark (A3908-02)

Publication ID: A3908-02

Pasture Poultry Ark (A3908-02)

Pasture Poultry Ark Construction Plans / Blueprints

Article title "Pasture Poultry Ark" by Adam Hady. Publication number A3908-02 is shown. In the background a chicken ark with a breeding trio of standard dark Cornish.

Over the past few years there has been a renewed interest in home poultry production. As the interest in keeping small flocks of chickens has grown, so has the need for small portable chicken coops that allow chickens to have daily access to fresh grass.

One answer to the demand for coops is the pasture poultry ark (Figure 1), a combination of an A-frame shed and the traditional chicken tractor, which is a floorless coop/pen that is moved daily.

The pasture poultry ark is 10′ × 4′ × 3 ½’ and accommodates 4 to 6 standard-sized chickens or 8 to 12 bantam-sized chickens (Figure 2).

Chicken art with a breeding trio of standard dark Cornish. — Figure 1. Chicken art with a breeding trio of standing dark Cornish

A group of Bantam cockerels inside of the poultry ark as it is sitting in a grassy field. — Figure 2. A group of Bantam cockerels in the ark, along with a hanging feeder, tucked under the extended area of siding

The structure features a small coop area with a 4′ × 4′ floor and a 6′ × 4′ coop run. The ark is designed with a full door that folds to the ground to make for easy cleaning and access to the bird area (Figure 3). The design features a partial floor, which offers the birds some protection during inclement weather. In addition, both the floor and the solid sides provide extra protection from predators.

If you think the pasture poultry ark is right for your chickens, Figure 4 shows the frame mid‑construction, and Figure 5 provides a list of materials you will need and instructions on how to build the pen yourself.