Truck Bed

[KLEChickens]

Hi all!

So I'm in the process of moving and my girls cannot come with me BUT my in-laws said I can keep them at their place!

They have an old truck bed(just the topper, bed and wheels) that i plan on using for the coop. There's 3 large windows already netted off(2 on the side one in the front. Then the back window of the topper and the back of the truck bed. I have to reinforce the floor, but I was wondering if I could just put an automatic door on the floor and then build a small run underneath the truck bed itself? I have 7 hens and a rooster, they'll free range most of the time on 2.5 acres and we live in MN.

Does anyone have a coop door on the bottom of their coop with a ramp going down into the run?

Thanks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Does anyone have a coop door on the bottom of their coop with a ramp going down into the run?

This is common in very small prefabs but is usually found to be extremely impractical.

It eats valuable floor space, is difficult to close securely, and the bedding tends to fall out through the hole.

 

[KLEChickens]

This is common in very small prefabs but is usually found to be extremely impractical.

It eats valuable floor space, is difficult to close securely, and the bedding tends to fall out through the hole.

Makes sense, I was worried they may fall through it too. Especially if I want an automatic door for them.. back to the drawing board!

 

[B-Goock]

I had a built coop with through the floor openings & ramps. I didn't use a door because the run underneath was secured.

Things to consider
Difficult access underneath for you.
A longer ramp is harder for chickens to learn to use.
As mentioned bedding being kicked out. You have to build a bedding retainer box but they still kick it out.
Access to feeders & waterers can be difficult.
A positive is you can keep the feeders & waterers underneath and basically covered.

 

[mowin]

I'd block the underside of the truck bed off. Have a pop door in the side with a two tier ramp leading to a secure run.