igloo dog house?

[HEChicken]

I'm sorry but taking a pic of my free-standing roost would be difficult now that its in my coop as its an A-Frame coop with no windows. But it was a really simple. I bought a 2x8 stud from Lowe's. My coop has a footprint of 4x4 and a height of 4'. So I cut a length of the stud long enough to run the entire length of the coop, under the A-Frame roof, but slightly shorter on each end so we can close the door. I think it ended up being 47". I then figured how high it could be so they could comfortably sit on it without banging their heads on the slope of the A-Frame. I think each leg came out to be 19". I screwed a leg to each end of the longer piece at right angles. With me so far? At this point I realized it could tip quite easily, so I found some scrap lumber from a pallet I took apart this summer, which happened to be a 1x6. I cut two pieces from the 1x6 that are about 12" long each. I then screwed these to the bottom of each leg of the roost, perpendicular to the roost itself. This gives it stability. That was it. Really - a half hour and less than $2. I simply slid it into the coop and several of the girls jumped up on it immediately to test it out. After jumping on and off it several times they declared it quite suitable and have roosted on it every night since.

 

[texas_is_home]

I've been wanting to do this to. Thanks for asking for me!

 

[gsim]

Might be good to add a small roof vent at top of the egglu or doggie igloo. Dogs do not poop in their sleeping places but chooks do, all night long.

So, converting the use of a doggie igloo to poultry use should be accompanied by adding ventilation, for good health's sake.

Also, if raising a coop, be sure to raise it high enough that it is not attractive for mice, rats, weasels, snakes, skunks, possums, etc. All of those examples have been detailed as happening to someone in the 'Predators' section of BYC simply because they did not raise their coops high enough.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Ok, I'm still trying to figure out how you would gather eggs in here with out crawling through the poop?!

 

[Wifezilla]

Might be good to add a small roof vent at top of the egglu or doggie igloo.

Mine has a roof vent already built in. I got it at a garage sale for $25 and it is now the sleeping quarters for my 5 ducks. It can hold up to 7, but it is a bit cramped with that many. 5 is great.

Ok, I'm still trying to figure out how you would gather eggs in here with out crawling through the poop?!

I left the bottom off so the igloo sits right on the litter. I just lift it up and grab the eggs. No crawling needed.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

Collecting eggs from a dogloo is simple: send one of your kids.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Quote:
ROFL!!

 

[Hay Belly]

I use two plastic dog houses. The hens roost in one and lay eggs in the other, which is smaller and has no roost (not pictured). They worked it out that way themselves! My SO built a roost for the large dog house and made the opening smaller, as I was worried about too much cold air coming in. I've used it for 5 years and it's worked great.

To get eggs you just lift up the side. I made ramps with indoor-outdoor carpeting glued to wood panels with hooks to hold them to the dog house. It's on cinder blocks. The dog houses cost me $15 together from Craigslist, and the wood was scrap. The dog houses have built in vents on the sides and are easy to take out and clean.

 

[LazerClaire]

Would you mind posting some pics of the doors you made?

 

[ChickInDelight]

I recently re-claimed 4 chickens after moving into town. I am presently covering the door with a framed wire mesh. In the winter, I plan to just close the flap. My girls lay and roost in the house, and so far, it has been easy to keep clean.

Since taking this picture, I took everything out of house, and have the door rolled up inside (so frame can go outside - fastened with bungies).

Better ideas are welcome. (My home is temporary, and so is theirs. I can't wait to build my next coop.)