Are A Frame Chicken Coops Good?
A frame chicken tractor coops look great and hens love them but they are a real pig to move, as they are usually pretty heavy and require two people. I should know I used to love building them (check the photo below)
If you are interested in buying or building an a-frame chicken coop then you have to check out these coops from Omlet first.
Check it them out here: www.omlet.us
Because I used to build all our chicken coops on the farm, but that all changed after we bought an Omlet A-frame style coop.
Now I must be honest I wasn’t a fan at first, and put it off for months. That was until my hand was forced….we got red mites…again!
With the pain still fresh in my mind from the last time we got an infestation I knew I needed to act quickly and was able to quarantine our hens into the plastic a frame chicken tractors from Omlet.
Why you need a Omlet A-Frame Chicken Tractor Coop…
Ok, great design and great manufacturing quality but that wasn’t actually the selling point for me. You see plastic coops are streaks ahead of wooden coops for a few reasons.
#1. Firstly, unlike wood, plastic has no cracks and nooks so there is nowhere for mites to hide. Phew! So it’s ‘one and done’. Because what typically happens is you get rid of the mites from the hens and sanitize the coop (as best you can) but the mites are still there lurking!! And then you have to start the whole de-sanitation process all over again.
Ok but that’s why I bought one – but what about why I kept it…
#2. OMG plastic coops are so EASY to clean! I’m never going back, seriously! I can pull out the droppings tray, wipe it and replace it in seconds. Even doing deep cleaning, which I do every few months I just wipe the whole thing down and its dry again in seconds. Once I even pressure sprayed it clean and dried it off and even that only took 10 minutes.
So honestly, if the cool, trendy design doesn’t do it for you, then the time and hassle saved in cleaning the coop will!
#3. The runs are incredible. No only are they made especially for the coop and form a modern ‘A-Frame’ but they have a special feature i’ve never seen elsewhere. They call it an anti-dig skirt and its as it sounds; its a strip of the chicken wire that runs around the outside of the run that prevents predators from being able to dig under and gain access to the run and harm your girls.
#4. Predator proof – this point kind of runs on from the run point above (excuse the pun) as they are vulnerable when they are outside foraging to attacks. So it’s awesome that these Omlet runs are made from galvanized steel wire but powered coated a lovely green so they look really cool.
It also means that they can never rust. The standard chicken wire you find elsewhere always rusts and so ends up looking really scruffy, you don’t have this issue with Omlet A frame coops and runs.
Another point worth mentioning and I know this as its happened to us, is I prefer these coops as there is no wooden siding to be ripped off and then a predator be able to get in from the back. So foxes, wolves, coyotes, weasels, rats, even bears will all bite, and scratch at a wood paneling until there is a crack.
Even the smallest of cracks will then be used as leverage to rip into a coop. Well you ‘aint got this problem as these a frame coops as they are literally bomb proof! Nothing can rip apart high density plastic or bite through it, completely impossible, so you and your hens can sleep safe and sound.
We get lots of predators where we live so for us this is a big issue.
#5. Weather – OK so the other thing we get alot of is cold winters and hot summers. So we needed a coop that could handle both. Keeping our hens cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And these coops do both. Great in the summer as they have lots of ventilation and are very breathable. Think back to high school science class, moisture and hot air move from high to low. This is important as these coops will remove excessive hot air and moisture IF there is a build up in the coop.
In the winter being dual walled keeps the chickens at the right temperature, infact we have had snow all up the sides of this thing and never had a frozen egg. Plus it’s a common misconception to think that you don’t need ventilation in winter – you absolutely do! Chickens are prone to respiratory issues and coops with poor ventilation will leave your chickens sick.
N.B – remember that if you live in an extreme climate (i.e very hot or very cold) its important you have the correct breeds that are either cold hardy or heat hardy.
#6. Build vs Buying
So I love building, but adding up all the materials (the price of lumber never recovered) and the time taken and it’s cheaper to buy a coop. Plus I can’t make anything out of plastic sadly ????. I love the fact you can add on a walk-in chicken coop and still move the whole thing round your backyard super easily as its lightweight.
#7. SUPER easy to move. And super easy to move on your own. Coming with wheels you simply push down on each side activate the wheels and you’re off! Move it to a fresh patch of grass whenever you want, with ease.
#8 Longevity – being so robust and made of recycled (good for the planet) plastic it never rots, it will never require any maintenance and all this means that it will outlive other coops by a factor of 10:1. Meaning its actually worth buying as it will be 10 times cheaper in the long run.
You also have a 10 year warranty with all products! That is literally unheard of, seriously, ive never heard of a chicken coop and run brand offer that. Even if you dont like it you can return it within 180 days! And the reviews speak for themselves, tens of thousands of 5-star reviews.
OK after 5 years they wont look brand, brand new, as nothing does that is left outside in the wind, sun and rain all year round but it does hold up *exceptionally* well. Some slight fading of color on the roof (pic below) and some wear and tear on the bars, all to be expected.
The important thing is nothing has broken, nothing has needed repairing and our chickens are happier and we know they are as they lay more eggs. It’s a win win!
Shop the Omlet range whole here: www.omlet.us
A Frame Chicken Tractor Benefits & Summary
If you’re considering raising chickens in your backyard, you may be wondering what type of coop to choose. There are many different styles and designs available, but one option to consider is a frame chicken coop.
Frame chicken coops are essentially a lightweight and portable version of a traditional chicken coop. They are typically made from PVC piping or lightweight wood and covered with chicken wire. The advantage of this design is that it can be easily moved around your yard, allowing your chickens access to fresh grass and insects to eat.
In addition to being portable, frame chicken coops have other benefits. They are usually more affordable than traditional chicken coops and can be assembled quickly and easily without the need for specialized tools or skills. This makes them a great option for those who are new to chicken keeping or on a tight budget.
Another advantage of frame chicken coops is that they can be customized to suit your needs. You can choose the size and shape of your coop to fit the number of chickens you plan to keep and the space you have available. You can also add features like nesting boxes, roosts, and food and water dispensers to make the coop more comfortable and convenient for your birds.
Finally, frame chicken coops are easy to clean and maintain. Because they are lightweight and portable, you can easily move them to a new spot in your yard and clean out the old bedding and waste. This can help prevent the buildup of bacteria and parasites that can harm your chickens.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for an affordable, portable, and customizable chicken tractor coop option, a frame chicken coop may be the way to go. With their lightweight design and easy maintenance, they are a great choice for new and experienced chicken keepers alike.
