I wouldn't use these for full time, but they would work great for laying cages for me. I run several breeds of hens together with RIR roos - barred rock, delaware, RIR, and sexlinks - and when I want a specific type of eggs (black stars, red stars, etc.) I cage my girls for a day or two until I have enough eggs. I think, however, I would put 2x4 uprights between each barrel set so I could hinge separate doors for each barrel. Of course, we can't see the back, so that might be how it's done. I like the durability and cleanability of the pvc. Change bedding between hens, wipe out with a bleach or peroxide cloth, and dust very lightly with DE, and voila, treated for disease and parasites.
Oh, and I would also put on a much larger overhanging roof to prevent rain blowing into the barrels. Also, I'd tap a few drain holes in the bottoms just in case.
I've had MANY of those barrels. Depending on what was in them, some stink of chemicals for a long, long time.
Wood is cheap. Wood is easy to work with. Wood has natural smells that don't harm chickens. Wood. Wood. Wood.
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Really those barrels are food grade so I am not sure what chemicals you might be talking about..
I would be getting mine from a bakery that has flour in them.. So I know what has been stored in them..
Also my birds will be inside a shed in these I will not be keeping them penned in all day.Or out side..And they will defenitly have a run.. But these lil sermas are soooo Small .. I just thought this would be a great idea for a safe sleeping inviroment for small birds not like I am puttin a full size bird in them..
Also my property is completly shaded in florida so I dont worry much about the heat,