Truck Cap coops/runs

[Prospector]

I just got an offer of an old cap off a Ranger (small, but chicken sized).

I don't know whether to incorporate it as a canopy in the run I am currently working on, or use it as a roof for the phase 2 coop.

Inspire me. Show me what you've got.

 

[rebecky1305]

I would use it for the roof of the coop. It already has ventilation windows in it.

I used the windows out of a rotting truck cap in my coop.

 

[canesisters]

boosting this back into the 'mix'.

I've been collecting pieces parts to start my coop with the idea that I'd use an old (LARGE) doghouse as the 'coop' and attach a run. Then, the 'last' piece arrived and now I'm torn. I've got one of those camper shell/truck bed cover things that came out of a standard size truck. I can't decide if I should retro-fit the 4'X4' dog house as my coop and use the shell as the roof of my run..... or use the shell as the roof and build a coop under it - and then have just a wire run.

There are pros and cons to both plans. The biggest 'con' is that I'll have to collect more pieces in order to get a bulding under that cap... but... I'll be able to house MANY MORE CHICKENS

So what does your collective experience tell ya? This will be for my first coop/ first flock. I'm working on a very limited budget trying to go VERY slow in the planning stages because there isn't any 'expanding' or 'revisions' in the forseeable future. (unless I happen to win the lottery or something)

 

[Creed Bennett]

I just told my wife last night about my plan to use the camper top off of our old pickup to make a coop top. I'll have to get on that project now.

 

[canesisters]

Creed - care to share your plans?????

 

[egg-cellent]

I would like to see this when finished. I have said for years that a truck cap would be a perfect roof on a small coop.
Someone gave us an old pop up camper that isn't worth fixing. So I was considering taking the top off of it to use on a coop. I think I may take the wood from the bed slides off and use it for something coop related too.

We are making a new coop and I like to weigh all options.

 

[Creed Bennett]

Well, I think I'll make the base on 4X4 pressure treated runners so I can take my tractor and drag it wherever I want to put it. The floor will be 3/4" plywood on pressure treated joist. The walls will be 2x4 studs and tall enough to put a door for me to walk through without bending down. I'm 5'8" so 6 foot will do. Wall material will be metal roofing laying horizontal two sheets high will be a little over 6 feet tall. I have a source here locally for the metal. They have some 34 foot pieces that are galvanized that someone ran over with a fork lift on the end. I can get it for $1 a foot and cut it to the lengths I need. The camper top came of a old Nissan truck that I drove into the ground so it wont be very big but it should make a nice size bantam house for say ten birds. I'll make my own door for it. I'll probably start on it soon since I'm in the building mood. I just finish my latest coop a few minutes ago. Pictures forthcoming.

 

[Chickenaddict]

I wanted to do the same thing with a topper we have here from one of our old trucks. Instead I ended up building a 10 by 12 brand spanking new coop and placed the topper in their run to give them shelter from rain,cold, wind and snow.

 

[Creed Bennett]

Here's my latest creation.

 

[egg-cellent]

Is the chicks you posted a picture of, what is in the norrow, tall coop? Looks like alot of work for chicks..