Concrete block chicken coop

[denco5]

I am fairly new to chickens, it will be three years in June. I don't ever see myself without them now. I see so many wooden coops but none made out of concrete blocks. Is this just a cost factor or is there another reason or two? Would it be to hot for the chickens?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I believe you might be able to do it (I am not skilled in building), but make sure that your windows are 1/2 inch hardware cloth- it is the only thing that will keep out rats and weasels, which kill chickens.
There is a reason those 1950's concrete block houses are still around all over FL even after all those hurricaines through the years.

I presume people don't build them that way because concrete block construction just isn't what people think of for a coop or shed.

Also, you might want to make the door so that you can open a window on it up high for ventilation. Chickens need a lot of fresh air, but not wind blowing right on them. So ideally the windows would be over their heads and not right in front of them.

If you make the whole thing like a shed, nice and big, the high ceilings would make it cooler in there. A low ceiling would cook them I think. I am just speculating so please take what I say with a grain of salt.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6210518_build-small-concrete-block-house.html

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/654327/concrete-cinder-block-coop-can-it-be-done

here are a couple of links for you

 

[Liberty Nursery]

I have lived in concrete constructed housing in the tropics, places where air conditioning is a luxury. Ventilation is not hard to do and if it is are good enough for people it is are good enough for chickens.

 

[aart]

Interesting question.

I would imagine it's just that the majority of buildings being re-used for chicken are wood and the vast majority of DIYer's don't have the skills to set block. Not sure what the cost differential would be.

I would think that block would be insulative for heat ...not sure about cold tho..... as long as you can provide the ventilation needed. Will be curious to see what other responses are gathered here.

 

[rebelboy]

concrete blocks would make a great chicken coop, with a slanted roof and some old windows that open foe ventilation,heck why notthe blocks are 6 inches thick great protection

 

[aart]

I did a little searching and found very little about block coops, I think it's just much easier to build with wood....especially installing windows, doors, and all the accessories, roosts, nests, etc.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/734400/dreaming-of-building-new-farm-style-chicken-coop
see post #7

 

[denco5]

Thanks for all the comments. I guess a block coop is the next project on the list. I guess we will design it to look like our house, only smaller. Maybe even a window ac unit for these hot and muggy Florida nights

 

[Jeff N]

We converted an old smoke house into our coop. It is all cinder block with a metal roof. There is one window high up and the wooden door has a window in it also. We even installed sky lights in it. Works great!

 

[aart]

We converted an old smoke house into our coop. It is all cinder block with a metal roof. There is one window high up and the wooden door has a window in it also. We even installed sky lights in it. Works great!

Welcome to BYC! @Jeff N
Please do start a new thread here with pics of your coop.