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Can anyone tell me about converting an old car into a coop?

post #1 of 19
11/12/09 at 5:17pm
Thread Starter 

We have an old Ford Taurus that we are thinking about converting into a coop.  What should we know about converting an old car into a coop?  I am a little concerned about it looking junky...  but maybe that shouldn't be a big concern b/c we already have four chicken tractors in one of our fields.  I know I have seen  pictures of a few on BYC, but I can't find them now.  I think we would like the nesting area to be in the trunk, but how about ventilation and roosts?

TIA:)

http://www.ichthyosis.us/chickensforchange.html
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1 DH, 2 kids (3 & 2), 3 cats, mallard/runner mutt, Easter Eggers, Old English Game, Silkies,  Black Sex Links, Cochins (standard and bantam), Delaware, Sultan, Cuckoo & BC Marans, Dominicker, various barnies, coturnix quail
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http://www.ichthyosis.us/chickensforchange.html
************************
1 DH, 2 kids (3 & 2), 3 cats, mallard/runner mutt, Easter Eggers, Old English Game, Silkies,  Black Sex Links, Cochins (standard and bantam), Delaware, Sultan, Cuckoo & BC Marans, Dominicker, various barnies, coturnix quail
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post #2 of 19
11/12/09 at 9:22pm

That's a very creative and interesting project! We're going to want pics of that one.

Dont you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing the person who grows their food?
-Joel Salatin

My Etsy photography shop - MeadowPath

 

 

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Dont you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing the person who grows their food?
-Joel Salatin

My Etsy photography shop - MeadowPath

 

 

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post #3 of 19
11/12/09 at 9:33pm

If you go to BYCHome page, under coop designs, I think I saw one there.  Good luck!  And I agree....Pictures!!! big_smile

Chris & Bobbi
Proud parents to: 1 English Bulldog, 1 Yorkie, 3 indoor cats, 21 chickens, 5 Ancona Ducks, 4 Khaki Campbell Ducks 2 beehives, 3 Nigerian Dwarf goats, 5 rabbits and 1 spunky 7 year old little girl.

My blog! Come say hi! http://snoodledoodles.blogspot.com/

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Chris & Bobbi
Proud parents to: 1 English Bulldog, 1 Yorkie, 3 indoor cats, 21 chickens, 5 Ancona Ducks, 4 Khaki Campbell Ducks 2 beehives, 3 Nigerian Dwarf goats, 5 rabbits and 1 spunky 7 year old little girl.

My blog! Come say hi! http://snoodledoodles.blogspot.com/

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post #4 of 19
11/12/09 at 11:00pm

I'd sell the car for scrap and build a real coop

Bear Foot Farm
Dorper Sheep and Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs
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Bear Foot Farm
Dorper Sheep and Maremma Livestock Guardian Dogs
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post #5 of 19
11/12/09 at 11:25pm

hey you should take a picture when your done and send it to ford,and tell them you found another use for them besides a boat anchor

Work Harder Millions On Welfare Depend On You !!!!!!!!!
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Work Harder Millions On Welfare Depend On You !!!!!!!!!
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post #6 of 19
11/12/09 at 11:43pm

Unless you plan to park it in deep shade, it will get dangerously hot in the summer. I agree with  Bear Foot;  sell it for scraps and use the money to buy coop building materials.

                     Starting fresh: BBS Marans,Dellies, SS, Lav Amer, and Welsummers                               
                                 www.etsy.com/shop/PrairieWolfCabin                                         
                        Dog is my copilot, horse is my passion, chicken lays my breakfast!

   ...

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                     Starting fresh: BBS Marans,Dellies, SS, Lav Amer, and Welsummers                               
                                 www.etsy.com/shop/PrairieWolfCabin                                         
                        Dog is my copilot, horse is my passion, chicken lays my breakfast!

   ...

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post #7 of 19
11/13/09 at 4:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bear Foot Farm 

I'd sell the car for scrap and build a real coop


I absolutely agree 100%.

Fisherman and Chicken Magnate--- Extra-ordinair
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Fisherman and Chicken Magnate--- Extra-ordinair
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post #8 of 19
11/13/09 at 5:17am

It would end up being a nightmare stinking mess that I can see.


if you do it, gotta see pics.

would you lock them up in there or just leave the doors open for them to go in and out?
one thing, you could never truly clean it...it would be a mess of filth pretty soon.


Edited by FarmerChick - 11/13/09 at 6:04am
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post #9 of 19
11/13/09 at 5:27am

Ventilation is going to be HUGE if you do this.   You need alot or they will quickly overheat.

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post #10 of 19
11/13/09 at 7:00am

My family is the family of Taurus cars, even myself had a Taurus car myself and loved them! Except those bubble nosed Tauruses sickbyc

I would not use one as a coop without having all the ventilation, temp adjusted taken care of. Besides if windows are open without any protective barrier, the coons and wolves might just have a go at it and ripping out the barrier or "stalk the prey" method that would make the chickens all stressed out at all four sides. With everything taken out, the floor would rot eventually.

Junk the car, or scrap it for parts and get yourself a coop.

President of the Welsummer Club of North America & BYC Member since 4/11/2002 and Appenzeller Spitzhaubens

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President of the Welsummer Club of North America & BYC Member since 4/11/2002 and Appenzeller Spitzhaubens

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BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance › Can anyone tell me about converting an old car into a coop?