Temporary hay bale coop?

[suburbanhomesteader]

Dang, Mac!

You did it again!

Is there ANYTHING you don't know???

 

[Mac in Wisco]

That's just a link I ran across... I was searching online for a compendium of coop designs put together from some state's ag extension publications. It had numerous designs from the 1910's through the 1950's and included one made from straw. I can't remember where I saw it though.

 

[suburbanhomesteader]

Here's a good one, too, and it talks about the longevity of a straw bale coop:

http://www.manytracks.com/Homesteading/solcoop.htm

I was about to start construction on the "coop-o-my-dreams", which I cannot afford right now. I may just switch to straw bale, especially for the winter.

I think the biggest thing about straw bale building is (if you want it to last a long time) KEEP IT DRY; that goes double for the bottom course, which sits on the ground.

I'll go do some more investigating...tomorrow. It's 2am!!

I get sucked into this learning, my eyes glaze over, my thoughts start whirring, and the next thing you know, 3 hours have passed.

Oh well, I'm a lot more knowledgable about straw bale coops and solar hot water heaters.

 

[King Tubby]

Here is some useful info I found in a straw bale mailing list archive.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Here's the extension site I was looking for. All kinds of ideas for poultry barns and equipment. At the bottom of the page is a plan for a straw poultry barn.

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/poultryplans.htm

 

[WindyOaksYokes]

I told my DH I wanted to make a hay bale coop for the ducks and he told me no... the horses need the hay worse... hmmmmm 500 bales of hay plus one more cut left of over 300 bales... I think the horses can spare a little dont you think???

I think the hay bale coop is awesom! Personally I think they would really work and help keep out the weather elements.

I loved the links you all provided!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Tes

 

[King Tubby]

Well I got my first load of 50 straw bales today and put most of them up inside the chicken pen. I need a few more bales to finish it but I hope the chickens will be a bit warmer tonight. I put ceramic tile under the bales to keep them off the ground. Bamboo stakes will help stabilize the walls.

My pen is about 12' by 18' with 15 birds. I put the bales on the inside of the coop and lost a little floor space but I think it is still plenty big. The birds immediately started climbing the bales and picking at them. They seemed to really enjoy the vertical space.

I plan to leave gaps between some of the bales for nest boxes.

 

[HobbyChickener]

We had wind chills in the Neg Single Digits last winter and I kept my only chicken (THEN) alive by doing almost exactly that. I built him a hay bale igloo and it worked like a charm. just remember to leave you opening on the side that points away from your winds.

 

[country freedom]

Quote:
Thank You!!