minivan into coop

[canesisters]

Started cleaning and pulling junk out of the van today. Hope to have the seats and steering wheel out by the weekend.

Question to all you SUPER CREATIVE coop builders out there.

The plastic panels on the walls are in pretty bad shape (holes cut in them to add speakers and such) so I want to cover or replace. Can anyone think of a flexable material that I could use to cover the walls? Something that would be light, CHEAP, and look clean and neat?????? So far, all I've been able to come up with is that super thin wood paneling. But isn't that stuff pretty easily damaged by moisture???

Got a long while till I need it - but will need to start collecting materials soon.

 

[wbruder17]

If you search on Portland OR Craigslist someone is selling a 1973 VW Bus that they converted into. A coop/ composter. Its pretty cool and super creative.

 

[Pharm Girl]

Quote:
There are several links to the van mentioned above. I would worry about the birds overheating in the summer. Our neighbor just accidently left her standard poodle in the car in the driveway for an hour and came back to find her dead. I guess if they had a fan it could work. Here's the link..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=564342&p=1

 

[canesisters]

I'm hoping to be able to let them loose during the day (except in really bad weather) so the heat won't be a constant issue. I'm considering putting one or two of those twirly vent things that stick up off of people's roofs on it... and I'm hoping to cover all the 'openings' from the inside with hardware cloth - so I can leave the windows and doors open.
Still working out details - I figure I've got till spring to work it out - or toss the idea, sell the van for scrap, and use the $ to turn the spare stall into a coop.

 

[carolinasculpture]

Hi! Sounds like fun! We are driving an astro...but I think it may make a nicer coop than vehicle!

Anyway, how about vinyl flooring for the walls? Sometimes you can find odd shaped pieces left over for not much $ on Craigs List, etc. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[rittert3]

If you want to put your nests under the hood you'll have to cut out the firewall also. If it were me I'd rip all that vinyl and foam out of the inside and maybe look for some spray on truck liner or something, maybe even glue up astro turf, lol theres not much worse than that foam filled vinal crap they put in those and it could get really nasty if it's still in there when you use it for a coop.

 

[cluckinthecity]

The plastic panels on the walls are in pretty bad shape (holes cut in them to add speakers and such) so I want to cover or replace. Can anyone think of a flexable material that I could use to cover the walls?

Not sure of the size you need, but the first thing that comes to mind is the plastic foam core type board they used for politics signs. Easy to cut, lasts forever ( I've got a couple pretty old signs I've saved in my garden..no wear at all). Hose off and no worry about damage or mildew growing.

Art supply stores sell sizes up to about a yard or so, sized rectangles. But a sign makers supply shop has much larger sizes. It' a good idea for anyone that lives in a big enough city, to easily run by and see what's for sale.​

 

[Carols Clucks]

Quote:
I would look for the plastic wall board that is used in restrooms and restaurant kitchens, you can buy it at Home Depot too. It would be super easy to clean too and is easy to cut in (with a jig saw) you could even insulate behind it if you want.

 

[canesisters]

GREAT IDEAS!!! Thanks.

I'm looking for flooring, seems like it would fill all the 'wants' - felxible, easy to clean, waterproof (mostly), and bright - so the van doesn't turn into a dark cave.

 

[Blessedchickens]

Quote:
I would look for the plastic wall board that is used in restrooms and restaurant kitchens, you can buy it at Home Depot too. It would be super easy to clean too and is easy to cut in (with a jig saw) you could even insulate behind it if you want.

This is what I was thinking of too. The wall board for abthrroms is called "FRP"

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

Here is the link. It is pretty cheap, easier to cut than most wall board and very easy to clean. You could always insulate with some cheap piink roll out insulation behind it too. Just don't leave any sticking out so the hens can peck at it. This could tunr out super cool!!