U-Haul Coop...help me design truck box coop

[GotCoop]

We have an old U-Haul truck box that I was going to scrap, but then I decided if I'm going to cut it up anyway...why not make it into a new coop. The interior of the container is 7' by 16'. I would like to divide the space for 2 breeder flocks and possibly a brooder inside. Probably split the space length wise, one side for chickens, and the other for walk-in work area. The big swing door will allow me to pull the tractor front loader up to clean the coop. I can easily run power and water from a barn nearby. Once I clear some small trees there is room on either side of the container for large runs. I live in Florida so I'll have to add significant ventilation. Give me your ideas and suggestions particularly for interior layout . Thanks. Here are a pictures:

 

[love4mychickens]

Wow that sounds like a great idea! My only question is where are you going to put the nesting boxes? Good luck!

 

[Chicken Whisper101]

You can put nesting boxes along the wall in the very back side. You could always put a whole flock in their and cut out a whole on the side of the trailer. You can have a ladder going down and have a coop/run next to it.

 

[aart]

Would be an oven in FLA.
You'd need to cut copious ventilation then a good roof with large overhangs to protect ventilation from rain infiltration...and also might help shade metal to reduce heat gain.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Would be an oven in FLA.
You'd need to cut copious ventilation then a good roof with large overhangs to protect ventilation from rain infiltration...and also might help shade metal to reduce heat gain.

Thinking the same thing. The metal will get super hot in the summer. As @aart said you’ll have to cut a lot of ventilation.

 

[Welshies]

Yes, lots of ventilation. That will get cold in winter and very hot in summer. Too hot. You could also install fans if you need to circulate the air better.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I would remove the back doors completely and cut out 1/2 of the other end and cover in HW cloth. Make sure it is situated in the shade and in a position that the breezes will flow through.


Good luck

Gary

 

[GotCoop]

Yup. Know ventilation is biggest challenge. The roof is just sheet metal so vents and probably a large skylight there. Also going to cut the top of the sides and make hardware cloth covered openings with flip up shutters (sides have plywood in addition to the sheet metal) The support structure is square metal tubing ribs from floor up around roof, spaced every couple feet.

Luckily it sits in shade during the summer.

 

[Nardo]

The shop/work area is a Whole other topic and one we could go on about forever. LOL. But here is a quick idea. Vents all around except where the doors are. Wire separating the work area from the coop because other wise it's just too dang hot enclosing them like that. A door to keep them out of your work space if you choose. Ramp going up to landing area with nesting boxes along what would be the side closet to the driver. because it's easier to mount material on a solid wall rather than to a wire partition. Anyway, have fun..

 

[aart]

Yup. Know ventilation is biggest challenge.

There a guy in the Interneational Marans thread that has a semi trailer as a breeder coop...lives in AU so hot temps. Here's his pics:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/users/chooks-man.389360/