Shipping Crate Coops?

[Enjaytoo]

..Just got a big, wooden shipping crate...Its about 44X46X26...no lid, so I'll have to check out HD's cull section..Wondering if anyone else has pictures of how they made theirs into a small coop? I plan to put it inside the chain link dog run....

 

[CoyoteMagic]

You've got chickens in Ahwatukee???? I remember when it was just a dust speck on the map, lol. Same as Gilbert and all in that direction.

Somebody on here just built one. Check out the contest there it may be on there

 

[Enjaytoo]

I know, crazy right?.....shhhhhhh....don't tell, hehehe

 

[CoyoteMagic]

LOL! I remember when they paved Baseline Rd through Mesa. Had been just a dirt road.

I was gonna drive myself crazy until I found this.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=239460

 

[LarryPQ]

Well if I go pick up a crate, then I will need more chickens to fill it!

(And I used to walk to Pioneer Elementary on Baseline & Greenfield...my goose would follow me and sit under my desk in a box)

 

[briteday]

I found that converting a shipping crate to a coop was expensive and just not worth it unless you only have 2-4 chickens. I found that most shipping crates are made with laminated wood and have TONS of nails and staples sticking in them. The ones I found were not the sturdiest of boxes, requiring quite a bit of reinforcement. You will also need a few small holes covered with screen for ventilation. But be sure they are somewhere that rain cannot enter, like on the sides. I also spent a lot on paint since the wood just soaked it up like water.

I put the roost on the hinged door side, food opposite the roost on the non-hinged side...easier to service the feeders that way. Since space is extremely limited inside I would suggest a PVC feeder that hangs from the outside of the crate (lots of plans here on the forum for PVC feeders) and use a rabbit bottle for water...less slopping of water to make the bedding wet.

I put shavings at the bottom of the crate and when I locked the girls in for the night I put a couple of sheets of newspaper under the roost. Then in the morning I would just remove the newspaper to the compost pile and the bedding lasts longer that way.

I would mount the nest box on the outside as well.

 

[Enjaytoo]

OMG, thats the cutest coop...(I even like the color, although my plans were to do barn-red to match my little ones' playhouse...we shall see..)

Laree, I understand completely, thats what I am afraid of myself

But I can't have to many...at least thats what I say now lol..

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Quote:
I didn't have a goose but I did have a dog. He sat under my desk from kindergarten up until the 6th. They wouldn't let him on the bus to middle school.

 

[gardenergirl]

Hey, thanks! That's my coop. I think your crate will make a wonderful coop too.

 

[Enjaytoo]

My pleasure; that is a great coop you made! I'm a little nervous, I dont think it will be as cute as yours but I think we will attempt something with it....Neither BF nor I are very handy with the power tools but heh, it will be fun to try at least I think...I have shingles, tar paper and paint left over from the Playhouse, so I'm hoping to keep it "cheep"