Temporary coop?

[NicInNC]

My dream of moving to a home with land is finally happening! We will be moving from 1/2 acre to 10 1/2 acres! There is no coop or barn but my husband plans on building one. Is there any kind of cheap, temporary place for my current chickens to live? I currently have 7 middle age-elderly hens. It will probably be a week or so before my husband can get around to building one because a fenced in backyard is first priority for our dogs.

 

[paneubert]

Do you have a garage or other secure spot you could pen them up? You could easily just make a big circle of cheap chicken wire in your garage for a week or two if needed. Especially if it is a concrete floor and you could just sweep out all the bedding/shavings once done. I suppose the only question is if they would jump the fence and wander the garage.

 

[NicInNC]

No garage. We have a TON of building to do. I eventually want more chickens, some Guineas and an alpaca or cow.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Buy a dog kennel (fenced run), lay a hardware cloth apron around, and put a shelter of some sort inside? Oh, and probably wrap the bottom three or four feet in hardware cloth, as well. I have no idea if this would be safe enough, though.

Check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace for coops, rabbit hutches, sheds, Little Tykes playhouses, etc.? I’ve seen a couple of playhouses converted pretty impressively.

 

[henless]

What do you have them in now? Is there any way it can be moved to your new property? Have you thought about selling the ones you have and getting more once a new coop has been built?

 

[NicInNC]

Our current coop is about the size of a storage building and it would have to go up a steep hill to move it. It wouldn't be an easy task. Plus we think it will attract buyers.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Can you build a hoop coop?

Later it can be the run or a tractor coop.

 

[paneubert]

Can you build a hoop coop?

Later it can be the run or a tractor coop.

Yeah. I think the hard part in this situation is the only real viable options are going to cost a bit and take a bit of time to make. So it would be a waste if it.....went to waste when the "real" coop is built. A hoop coop might be the easiest thing to build that could then be used in the future as well.