Anyone else built a hay/straw bale coop?

[tink]

Hey
Depending on the pallet, the slats can be 2 to 3 inches apart. The good thing about them...they are free, and they would allow air to circulate under the bales. My concern with plastic....if there is any moisture, you may have some rot.
Tink

 

[Godiva]

Hey TInk, you're right, any moisture and I would have compost in no time!

We'll see what DH has come up with for the 'foundation'. He is pretty good at this stuff, so I am sure it is all going to be hunky dory.... Will update later once there is some progress...

 

[newbiecaroline]

Hi Godiva....just wondering if you had pics of finished coop?
Or if anyone else has straw coops to show me?

 

[LynneP]

How will you cover the bales? Stucco? Wire? What about biosecurity? You've building such a beautiful frame that I'm wondering if having a permanent structure might be more satisfying, now...

 

[Godiva]

Yeah, we kind of got stuck halfway finished right now! My DH had had a crazy schedule ... We are now thinking that maybe the straw bales will be a temporary thing and when they start 'melting' we will gradually replace with something more permanent. We are going to put some cheap cement siding on to keep the rain off. Will put some more pics on sometime of the latest developments... thanks for the interest

 

[twigg]

Mould is the problem you need to avoid with hay.

Is there any chance you could sell the hay and buy straw? Hay is very expensive right now, and I would think you would get plenty of takers.

Straw bale building is a wonderful concept ... I wish you well with it.

 

[newbiecaroline]

I found this site months ago and wow!
http://www.earthandstraw.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=27
I bought some small straw bales for dog house and will be using them for a turkey hoop coop inside for warmth/nests etc. Nothing fancy at all. Got some free pallets to sit them on...just a temporary coop for summer.

 

[Brian]

Keep us posted with new pics as it evolves!

 

[LynneP]

Godiva- you two certainly have the skills. We're heading to our local landfill today to visit the construction dump site looking for lumber and doors for the coop. You are so close to having what you want as a permanent structure...

 

[Sagechick]

I have been wanting to build a strawbale home for 10 years now, but it's not to be.
So then next best thing is to use bales for my chickens, I just got 25 chicks and want more for eggs.

We have 2.5 acres and we live in southern california. Temps go from 100 in summer to a low of 30 in Jan/Feb. We don't have a lot of rainfall but now that I've said that, there will be a monsoon next year.

I have a neighbor who keeps chickens and he doesn't have a coop, just a run.

My thinking is a run that is 25' x25' and about 6 feet tall supported by 4x4 posts in the ground. Wire skirting around the edge for preditors.

At one end will be a wall of bales about three high. at the corners the bales will continue for about three bales in length. This will provide protection from wind.

Over the bales for the 25 feet in length some form of sloped roof of plywood with shingles atop.

Nesting boxes will be up off the ground where the bales are.

One door.

Covered with netting at the top.

abut 200 chickens in each

Thoughts, input????