***This is an in progress project that I will update as I go along. It may take a few weeks, but I'll get it done!
When I started researching BYC for coops before buying my first chicks, I came across a post where a lady converted a horse trailer into a coop. I loved the idea and knew I would do the same thing when the time came to move from suburbia to land in the country. The time has come!
Why a horse trailer? It's the perfect mobil coop in my opinion. Super easy to hook up and pull around the pasture!
I searched high and low for months for something in my price range. And by "in my price range" I mean a rusted old heap of an eyesore that the owner just wanted gone. Craigslist didn't pan out for me because most people want a small fortune and your firstborn child for their rusty heap, so I turned to a horse related Facebook group local to my area. My plea went out and for an affordable price that did not include my firstborn, and I ultimately hauled this home:
Striking, yes?
Because I wanted a steal I knew I'd be looking at a lot of manual labor. No problem. I'm no auto body specialist, metal worker, or ultra superb handy woman, but I am filled with determination once I set my mind to something, along with a do-it-myself spirit. I had the guidance of my very mechanical minded father- in-law and my husband at my disposal, which has been helpful when I run into a roadblock. They deemed this beauty road worthy after checking wheel bearings and whatever else, as we had to tow her for an hour. Mostly, after looking past her rust and rust-colored nasty paint job, the worst problem found was some rusted through areas in the front. Luckily FIL can weld and assured me he could patch those up for me.
First thing to go was the center divider, chest bumper things, and butt bumper ropes.
Then I started in on grinding off big rust patches and sanding the entire surface. Wire brushes were put into action here too. I found the whole process to be less overwhelming if I prepped and primed small sections at a time. Made me feel like some progress was being made.
I ended up using three colors of primer...I cleaned out our paint leftovers from other projects and bought additional spray primer to supplement.
Filled in various holes in the construction with spray foam insulation because wasps were wanting to nest in it. Die, wasps, die!
That's me with my trusty, and necessary, wasp spray.
See that plume of rust flowing out of the top vents? It was NA-STY! We tried blowing them clean with the air compressor but gave up and ultimately removed them, leaving two "skylights". I also removed the man door on this side as I plan to install the Ador 1 auto chicken door here.
The outside was a piece of cake compared to what awaits on the inside.
My father in law and husband used a torch to cut out the non-salvageable manger floor and tack room floor for me. I will fit in plywood to replace the floors.
At this point I felt I had hit the top of the mountain and might be near a downhill slope! But I must say...I've never had a rust bath before. Sanding...grinding...more sanding...lots more grinding. Without my tool-hoarding FIL, I'd be up a creek without a paddle. I don't know what it was called, but I mostly used his air sander disk thingy that made it all go surprisingly fast.
Nope, that's no tan. It's allllll rusty dust. So gross.
Then came priming the inside. I just used the spray stuff. And paint...I probably should have used an oil based paint. As well as one for exterior, but I had a whole gallon if white latex sitting around that I decided to use up. The chickens won't care and I don't want to spend any more $ on this thing!
Time to figure out what to do with those vent holes. I bought thin Lexan from Lowes and glued-sealed them to the top using a combo of Liquid Nails and clear exterior waterproof caulk. Then stacked whatever I could find on top while it dried. It's not pretty, but all but the skylight holes can be painted. Plus, no one will be crawling up to look at the top anyway.
I Constructed and fitted plexiglass window frames that swing up to allow for air flow. These windows will also be covered with hardware cloth bolted to the inside to keep my ladies safe at night.
****Stay tuned for updates shortly! Finishing up the inside and final paint for the outside to still do! I will post updates below.
When I started researching BYC for coops before buying my first chicks, I came across a post where a lady converted a horse trailer into a coop. I loved the idea and knew I would do the same thing when the time came to move from suburbia to land in the country. The time has come!
Why a horse trailer? It's the perfect mobil coop in my opinion. Super easy to hook up and pull around the pasture!
I searched high and low for months for something in my price range. And by "in my price range" I mean a rusted old heap of an eyesore that the owner just wanted gone. Craigslist didn't pan out for me because most people want a small fortune and your firstborn child for their rusty heap, so I turned to a horse related Facebook group local to my area. My plea went out and for an affordable price that did not include my firstborn, and I ultimately hauled this home:
Striking, yes?
Because I wanted a steal I knew I'd be looking at a lot of manual labor. No problem. I'm no auto body specialist, metal worker, or ultra superb handy woman, but I am filled with determination once I set my mind to something, along with a do-it-myself spirit. I had the guidance of my very mechanical minded father- in-law and my husband at my disposal, which has been helpful when I run into a roadblock. They deemed this beauty road worthy after checking wheel bearings and whatever else, as we had to tow her for an hour. Mostly, after looking past her rust and rust-colored nasty paint job, the worst problem found was some rusted through areas in the front. Luckily FIL can weld and assured me he could patch those up for me.
First thing to go was the center divider, chest bumper things, and butt bumper ropes.
Then I started in on grinding off big rust patches and sanding the entire surface. Wire brushes were put into action here too. I found the whole process to be less overwhelming if I prepped and primed small sections at a time. Made me feel like some progress was being made.
I ended up using three colors of primer...I cleaned out our paint leftovers from other projects and bought additional spray primer to supplement.
Filled in various holes in the construction with spray foam insulation because wasps were wanting to nest in it. Die, wasps, die!
That's me with my trusty, and necessary, wasp spray.
See that plume of rust flowing out of the top vents? It was NA-STY! We tried blowing them clean with the air compressor but gave up and ultimately removed them, leaving two "skylights". I also removed the man door on this side as I plan to install the Ador 1 auto chicken door here.
The outside was a piece of cake compared to what awaits on the inside.
My father in law and husband used a torch to cut out the non-salvageable manger floor and tack room floor for me. I will fit in plywood to replace the floors.
At this point I felt I had hit the top of the mountain and might be near a downhill slope! But I must say...I've never had a rust bath before. Sanding...grinding...more sanding...lots more grinding. Without my tool-hoarding FIL, I'd be up a creek without a paddle. I don't know what it was called, but I mostly used his air sander disk thingy that made it all go surprisingly fast.
Nope, that's no tan. It's allllll rusty dust. So gross.
Then came priming the inside. I just used the spray stuff. And paint...I probably should have used an oil based paint. As well as one for exterior, but I had a whole gallon if white latex sitting around that I decided to use up. The chickens won't care and I don't want to spend any more $ on this thing!
Time to figure out what to do with those vent holes. I bought thin Lexan from Lowes and glued-sealed them to the top using a combo of Liquid Nails and clear exterior waterproof caulk. Then stacked whatever I could find on top while it dried. It's not pretty, but all but the skylight holes can be painted. Plus, no one will be crawling up to look at the top anyway.
I Constructed and fitted plexiglass window frames that swing up to allow for air flow. These windows will also be covered with hardware cloth bolted to the inside to keep my ladies safe at night.
****Stay tuned for updates shortly! Finishing up the inside and final paint for the outside to still do! I will post updates below.
Last edited:
