Trailer Coop Build (Pic heavy)

[aart]

Guess they don't need the heat plate which is 4ft away.

Nope, they are fully feathered.

 

[sybonbon]

My trailer coop project has begun in earnest. I will try to update this first post as I build the coop so all pics and descriptions are here. I have taken a huge number of ideas, plans, etc. from this forum and am happy to document everything, start, progress, end, along with as much cost information as possible.

If anyone has questions, or suggestions as I go, please post them!!


It started with a dream and a vision, I'm building an orchestra to conduct. This is the percussion section, carrying the rhythm and heartbeat of the farm


The only tools needed for many hours:

~20 pallets found for free. Not your everyday pallets, these were my best free score of 2019:

It takes me about 1 hour to break apart 1 pallet. I've spent >8 hours breaking apart pallets. It's a lot of work and takes occasional precision to ensure the wood is reusable. I've learned that un-weathered wood works best, it needs to be a bit warm (frozen wood is brittle), and most of all requires patience. I can generally reuse the entire pallet (saving the nails to possibly melt later).

Each of these pallets provides:
1, 4x8, 3/4" thick sheet plywood
4, 2x4, 8ft long
4, 2x4, 4ft long

Most people see a piece of junk not worth a penny. I'm a dreamer with a vision, and I see potential. It took me many months of patience, looking for the right trailer, and it finally popped up. A former camper trailer for $100:

Careful demolition is never fast, easy, or clean. I think they left the commode in!

Almost stripped:

Took me most of the day but in the end I had a solid foundation to begin with:

I spent another day re-framing the trailer (no pic because it looks like the "Almost Stripped" pic above). Then it took me another day to get the floor completed. I'll lay down linoleum or vinyl floor later:

Total floor dimensions are 13'x8', there will be a 10" lip on each side and the rear which is where food and water will go (on the outside)

To be continued....next up, building the walls.

Chickens like to be on the grass to eat bugs. This is my chicken tractor.

 

[ColoradoPip]

You must feel very pleased with yourself!

I was a bit surprised to see how big, how old are they? It would seem to me that they can be integrated very quickly, what are your plans in that regard?

Also, would think that they would be anxious to roost. I had to carry my first set of pullets from a pile to the roosts to acclimatize but it only took 3-4 nights of going out after dark and moving them before they did it on their own.

You have some interesting days ahead.

I am happy, a little, lol. I wanted them out 2 weeks ago but wasn't ready They are almost 6 weeks old now!

Really glad there's only 3 older girls. Hoping there won't be carnage. Integration is planned for either next weekend or the weekend after

Nope, they are fully feathered.

Thought they had a couple more weeks to be fully feathered, at 8 weeks, no? This morning was chilly, good ol Colorado desert temp swings, and a lot of them were under the plate. I'll leave it in for now but looks like not for long!

Chickens like to be on the grass to eat bugs. This is my chicken tractor.

Looks lightweight and easy to move!

 

[sybonbon]

I am happy, a little, lol. I wanted them out 2 weeks ago but wasn't ready They are almost 6 weeks old now!

Really glad there's only 3 older girls. Hoping there won't be carnage. Integration is planned for either next weekend or the weekend after



Thought they had a couple more weeks to be fully feathered, at 8 weeks, no? This morning was chilly, good ol Colorado desert temp swings, and a lot of them were under the plate. I'll leave it in for now but looks like not for long!



Looks lightweight and easy to move!

Yes aluminum. My husband is working on a second one

 

[aart]

Thought they had a couple more weeks to be fully feathered, at 8 weeks, no? This morning was chilly, good ol Colorado desert temp swings, and a lot of them were under the plate. I'll leave it in for now but looks like not for long!

Once they get their head feathers, I call them fully feathered.
Good point on the temp swings.

 

[ColoradoPip]

Almost finished the waterer, created this tube, added all the nipples, filled it with water and no leaking. Just waiting on the water bucket to dry, I attached a fitting to the bucket which allow me to attach to a garden hose to the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket and sealed it...well I hopefully sealed it!

From that 5 gallon bucket an rv hose will connect to the water nipple tube.


Man, I made a mess with the purple primer. One end has a screw in cap, the other has a garden hose sized fitting.

 

[sybonbon]

Almost finished the waterer, created this tube, added all the nipples, filled it with water and no leaking. Just waiting on the water bucket to dry, I attached a fitting to the bucket which allow me to attach to a garden hose to the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket and sealed it...well I hopefully sealed it!

From that 5 gallon bucket an rv hose will connect to the water nipple tube.


Man, I made a mess with the purple primer. One end has a screw in cap, the other has a garden hose sized fitting.

Doesn't work during the winter in NJ. The nipples freeze solid.

 

[Rakaiachick]

Hi I like your idea. I'd like to do something similar myself. But I think I'll be using skids. Following.

 

[ColoradoPip]

Doesn't work during the winter in NJ. The nipples freeze solid.

Have you tried a tank deicer or a fish aquarium heater? I plan to add something to heat the water but do not have circulation. As a backup I have heated bases I currently use but am hoping to figure out how to ensure these nipples don't freeze.

 

[sybonbon]

Have you tried a tank deicer or a fish aquarium heater? I plan to add something to heat the water but do not have circulation. As a backup I have heated bases I currently use but am hoping to figure out how to ensure these nipples don't freeze.

We tried everything. The water was ok but the nipples froze solid and broke off where they were attached. We ended up getting a heated dog bowl. Something to have as a back up.