Earth coops?

[chickboss]

Has anybody here built a coop out of cob or earth bags? My friend and I are going to give it a go, would love some pics for inspiration/ideas.

 

[averytds]

I'd never even heard of them, but TY for the suggestion. I've been looking to insulate and better soundproof an old building with straw bales. The earthbags might be better. I'll have to look into it a bit more.

 

[chickboss]

Quote:
TY for the suggestion!

I never thought about using them to insulate an existing building, only to build a new one, that is a great idea. I think I may use it for one of my buildings...LOL. You can look up earth bag construction online and some good sites should pop up. If you don't find any, let me know, I have a book with a bunch of references somewhere.

 

[averytds]

I have a drafty old barn I want to convert to breeder pens. With all the cut outs and patch overs for chicken doors, stall doors and whatever else, it's a patchwork quilt of boards. I also have close neighbors, so all roos currently have to go to the cellar at night. Most people do the outside of the existing structure. Unfortunately I cannot tear down to studs any of the outer walls and I can only cover them up with something thin like siding. I can do anything I want to the inside however.


So far the straw bales are looking messy because I would need to coat the backside for waterproofing before putting them up and then doing the front. I wouldn't have to with the earthbags. Heck, I wouldn't even need to do a nicer finish on the inside if I didn't want to. Definitely going to be looking into it.