New Holland, Pennsylvania – The Mobile Chicken House, a local builder of mobile poultry housing, announced a new product line of solar‑powered, automated portable chicken coops aimed at pastured‑poultry farms throughout Lancaster County and neighboring areas. After sixteen years of on‑farm testing, the company says the designs address the labor‑intensive demands of rotating flocks across pasture ground.
Automation reduces labor and feed waste
Each unit includes a solar array, battery storage, automatic lighting and an automated feeding mechanism. The feeding system delivers a consistent amount of feed, limiting waste and ensuring birds have access without constant human oversight. Automatic lighting mimics natural daylight cycles, supporting growth and egg production even when the coop is moved away from the electric grid.
Options for egg‑layers and broilers
The lineup offers configurations for egg‑laying flocks and mobile broiler houses for meat production. Egg‑layer units feature rollout nest boxes that move eggs away from the nesting area immediately after laying, reducing breakage and keeping eggs cleaner. The broiler models provide the same solar and automation features for growers focused on meat birds.
Chicken tractors improve pasture management
The company’s “chicken tractors” are smaller, maneuverable units that let farmers move birds systematically across pasture, spreading manure evenly and allowing each section time to recover before the flock returns. Built to withstand frequent relocation, the tractors reflect the company’s hands‑on development approach.
Solar power eliminates grid dependence
By relying on solar energy, the coops operate independently of fixed infrastructure, removing the need for extension cords or temporary wiring during frequent moves. Battery storage is sized to maintain operation through low‑light periods typical of Lancaster County’s variable weather.
Local impact
According to company founder Josh Stoltzfoos, the new designs give Lancaster County farmers a practical, low‑maintenance solution that supports sustainable, pasture‑based poultry production while reducing labor costs and feed waste. The Mobile Chicken House hopes the technology will encourage more farms to adopt mobile, renewable‑energy‑driven poultry systems.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
