Our coop

[lnm03]

So we decided to get chickens and we needed a coop. We didnt have a lot of money to put into it and we wanted an already built building. So my husband's boss had a box off a box truck that was attached to his garage when he bought his home. He didnt use it and he didnt want it so he said if you can get it out of there you can just have it. So, we went and got it. It already had electricity ran into it because they had there air compresser in it so that was a plus! They also had a "wall" dividing it in half. It is 8' x 16'. Here are some of our starting pics. It is kind of an eye sore on the outside but we will take care of that next spring since it is getting too cold at night to paint outside...it would just be a waste. We just bought the lumber for the inside today so it is a work in progress. We are still trying to figure the best way to vent this and how to lay it out exactly but we will see!

 

[redoak]

Great find, I bet it will be a great coop when your done.

 

[SterlingAcres]

Way to recycle

Keep us all updated!

 

[miron28]

that is a great idea!!!

 

[cmom]

What a great idea!!!

 

[lnm03]

Should the vents be in roof or on sides? do they need tobe open in winter? how big should they be?

 

[miron28]

i would put the vents on the sides of the box because the top is flat and you have a greater chance of it leaking up there. and the other question i have no idea but i thought i would put my one cent in

hope that helped a little

 

[Just-Like-Hatching]

I would put some type of turbo fan on the top. Those containers are very hot in the summer and you will definately need something to help create some type of air draft through it. In Iraq we had Styrofoam cups melt in those, even with the doors open. It will work great for a coop, just have to get the air to move through it in the summer.

 

[SSO202]

It sure is a great idea and a good find. I think ventilation is key to that one though. I agree with staying off the roof of it unless it is a big attic fan or two. There are all kinds of ventilation items at your local hardware store. You can find fans, vents, windows, sliders, roof vents, floor vents etc.! Good Luck!

Yes you are going to want some ventilation in the winter as well. I would say up high in the box and keep your birds down lower. The key is ventilation without drafts on your birds.