Could this be turned into a safe, appropriate home for a couple of bantams?

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Ewe Mama

Ewe Mama

In the Brooder
Jun 15, 2015
81
3
33
Northern Ohio
I have this large crate/kennel that we originally used for transporting our goats. How could it be modified into a safe coop? Is there a way of adding an external nesting box? Would some sort of platform and wheels be doable? I would need a lot of hand holding on this project, if anyone is willing to walk me through it, I would be very appreciative.

The usable space dimensions are

length: 36 inches

Width: 24 inches

Height: 27 inches

700

700

700



I know I need to put hardware cloth across the ventilation holes from the inside, but how do I attach it? What would I do to make the door safe?

Thank you so much for you time and help!
 
I would add a roost bar across the middle and then it would be good for 2-3 bantams. I would put two across the width of the kennel.
Cut a 2x4 into two 24" pieces and then position, one higher and one lower. I would put one on the lower half near the front and one on the upper half near the back of the kennel.

Attach the hardware cloth by drilling holes and then using bolts with washers. You might not need it though- it looks like there is already metal across the ventilation.

It could get very cold in the winter, so take that into consideration.

The main thing is to make a large run that is predator proof to set this in- as big a run as possible.
Smaller coops are fine as long as the run is big enough.
 
Thank you so much for you response and advice on the coop, theabee. Very good thoughts, indeed!


Does anyone else have further ideas?
 
Would make a good temporary shelter/enclosure for a bird or two in mild weather, in case you need to isolate an injured, broody or rogue one....
.....but I wouldn't waste time with it for a permanent 'coop'.

Dog crates are a great tool to have for a chicken keeper, tho the wire ones are better IMO.
 
x2! I use dog crates like that for broodies, sick birds, transport, and brooders. No way is it meant to be a coop! My Belgian d'Uccle bantams roost eight feet up in the rafters of my coop, and having a coop that you can walk in makes life so much better for everyone. They could live there, but it's much better to build a real home for them. Mary
 
Thank you all for your very sound advice. I shall put the crate aside and keep it available for sick/injured/broody chickens.

Off to find some easy coop plans for our chickens...
 
Ewe Mama said:
Thank you all for your very sound advice. I shall put the crate aside and keep it available for sick/injured/broody chickens.

Off to find some easy coop plans for our chickens...
Click to expand...
Thought you were doing the GardenArk?
 
Last edited:
That's still a possibility, but we ended up getting six standard and two bantam chicks from the hatchery, so I would need to build three arks right off the bat. I was planning on starting a bit more slowly, but that would be getting started with a bang!
 

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