Barrel coop

[Captain Carrot]

Hello, I found a large oak wine/cider/beer barrel in one of my outhouses today, and would like to have a go building a coop with it.

Its big enough to make a bantam coop (just). It's 3 feet long and has a radius of 2.5 feet.

Someone has cut a square out of the middle of the barrel, so I'd use this hole as an entrance. Just trying to figure out how I'd clean it out. I have two ideas:

Either I make two doors in both ends, to collect eggs and brush dirty bedding out, or I remove a couple planks underneath and replace them with a trapdoor on runners, so when I open the trapdoor the bedding falls out into a waiting wheelbarrow.

I'm leaning towards the two door idea.

Above the doors will be space for ventilation, and if I attach a roof to the frame that the barrel will sit on, then I could add more ventilation in the top of the barrel.

Any comments or advice would be appreciated, here is a very rough diagram that I just did on paint...

 

[speedy2020]

It is great idea, but you may want to consider better venting. I have 55gal water container that I can use and considering doing the same thing for the quail coup.

 

[the Precious Ladies]

This is a really creative, I like it. But just wondering, how many chickens are you planning to house?

 

[10 point]

i would use both ideas doors on gthe side for collecting eggs and a trap door that makes for easy cleaning.

 

[Cargo]

OK. We need pics, before and after.

 

[foxinachickenhouse]

Here is one I made this past week. It is a temporary idea but thinking of ways to make it a more permanent home. The condensation was only a problem in mine the first night. The dryer venting next to it was the issue I think. Have added no more vents and so far so good.
Can't wait to see what you do with your oak barrel! Way more attractive than the plastic one.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=5697959#p5697959

 

[Captain Carrot]

Quote:
I'm going to add a pitched roof over the barrel, that way I can open the top of the barrel and cover with wire mesh, but still keep it dry

 

[Captain Carrot]

Quote:
Bantams only, 2 or three. It might even end up as a rabbit hutch.

I'm either going to make it look like a barrel of rum or gun powder, The finished barrel looks great in my mind.

I was even thinking of making it look like a giant "pop-up pirate" game

 

[speedy2020]

You may also want to lower the door down few inches. This will prevent the water run into the coop. Since I am raising quail, I can't have cut out on top. They can fly out. I sure like to have access both end of the barrel. My real challenge would be cutting the plastic. It is about 1/4" thick.

 

[wolftracks]

This is one of the types of coops I was asking about a few months ago.

Nice to see a diagram, because I just couldn't figure it out.