Alternative Options for Coops

[foxrfarm]

I decided to keep my eight chickens in one of our horse stalls. My husband installed hardware cloth over all of the openings between the boards and bars, and used a tight netting over the top, so that predators can not get in. The stall opens to the outside paddock with a dutch door - so they get out every day. I have prefab nesting boxes mounted on one wall and have used two jump standards and a rail for a roost. I guess I got carried away with repurposing and not buying extra stuff. The chickens are very happy in their 12 x 10 stall, and I get to go in and sit with them comfortably whenever I want. This is working very well for us right now, and is as easy to clean as any other horse stall in the barn. Also, all animal feed is kept in the same area and it will allow them a bit more room to roam in the cold Minnesota winter, when the snow is several feet high and getting outside is impossible.

 

[AlabamaSweetpea]

LOL, cleaning horse stalls makes picking up after a few chickens a treat

 

[ailurophile23]

We chose to keep our chickens in our horse barn as well - most days, they get to free range but the stall size is plenty of room even in bad weather and the chickens love wandering around inside the barn if it is rainy, too hot, or snowy. Plus they are entertainment for the horses when we have to keep them up too. Win-win all the way around.

 

[furbabymum]

We are currently using an old, very ugly dog house and dog run. Nice wheel barrow perch. Not what I had initially intended it for but it works.

 

[ailurophile23]

Love the wheelbarrow perch! Like so many animals, they seem to prefer things that we did not intend for them to use.

 

[furbabymum]

That they do. I had been using to to keep a peice of metal roofing in place across the dog house door at night. I go out one day and there they are, all perched across it. Even the turkey was up there, wobbling from side to side.