Can I use a Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crate as a hen house

[MrPaw]

Can I use a Double Door Metal Dog Crate as a hen house? I am basing this question on my old coop which was basically an elevated, three sided, partly enclosed, roofed, open floor design. With this in mind, and wanting a sturdier, non-wood coop, I was thinking a Double Door Metal Dog Crate with three sides partialy covered and top covered, would work. The broad side would open to the run and the narrow end could be for cleanout. I am in zone 8 for reference, and my old coop held 3 RIR and 3 Leghorns, with very little coverage on the sides. They never had a problem during the winters. This new coop will hold about 4 - 6 bantams separate from my existing 8 standards hens.

 

[doublecrossranch]

Do you have pictures?

 

[FortCluck]

Pictures would help so we can actually see what you're working with. Sounds very interesting...

 

[MrPaw]

After posting I found this thread, https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer.72619/. It answers most of my questions. But here are pictures of the old coop and the amount of coverage. These coops, old and planned, are in an enclosed, roof covered "yard".

 

[AviansLove]

If it is going to be outside then no, I had a tarp over mine and a raccoon grabbed 2 of my chickens out of it (the fencing or wires, whatever you call it was small to) and it was temporary, left them out only 1 night to in the cage.

 

[MrPaw]

If it is going to be outside then no, I had a tarp over mine and a raccoon grabbed 2 of my chickens out of it (the fencing or wires, whatever you call it was small to) and it was temporary, left them out only 1 night to in the cage.

I'm sorry for the loss of your two girls. This coop will join up to a run that's inside a bigger run. This keeps my bantams in the flock but safe. My setup will not be near the enclosure, about 5 ft away and inside of a predator safe enclosure. I've had possum problems a few years ago. Learned my lesson.

 

[ValerieJ]

Seems to me if it meets the needs of the chickens, in space, ventilation and protection from weather and predators, then it doesn't really matter what it's made of. I use a dog crate inside a heated room in my garage when I have a sick chicken and as a brooder. They are actually quite versatile enclosures.

 

[pennyJo1960]

No need to say more good luck put in the other like hardware cloth around my dog crates

 

[AsaDotJava]

I use wire dog crates as houses for my cockerels/stag bantams... the best part is how easily you can just slip sticks in to create roosting space, and cover/uncover them depending on weather.

 

[aart]

After posting I found this thread, https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer.72619/. It answers most of my questions.

That article about crates is only meant for temporary confinement/isolation.

But here are pictures of the old coop and the amount of coverage. These coops, old and planned, are in an enclosed, roof covered "yard".

Not seeing your pics.

My setup will not be near the enclosure, about 5 ft away and inside of a predator safe enclosure.

If enclosure is predator proof why do you need the crate?

This new coop will hold about 4 - 6 bantams

Would need to be a pretty big crate to hold that many birds.