Wardrobe coop!

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

I just finished making a coop from an old wardrobe. I'm just going to keep 1-2 bantams in here at night. I've got a house pet silkie chick at the moment and wanted a place for her to sleep indoors.

Opinions? Suggestions?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Neat project! Seems that would be comfortable enough as a bedroom to me. I'm no expert but maybe a flat roost instead of a stick, if I'm seeing it correctly? Opinions vary on this but chickens don't grip like say a parrot.

 

[TwinsLoveChicks]

Adorable!

 

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

Neat project! Seems that would be comfortable enough as a bedroom to me. I'm no expert but maybe a flat roost instead of a stick, if I'm seeing it correctly? Opinions vary on this but chickens don't grip like say a parrot.

Yes, I've read this, since I installed that bit. She's still a pretty little pullet at the moment, so I figure it will be fine for the next week or so.

I would like to use a thicker branch, vs a plank, as I live near a redwood forest and branches are plentiful and free. How large do you think it would have to be to ensure comfort?

I'm rather proud to have built this for under $20, so perhaps I should stop being stingy and just buy some wood, though...

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I'm not actually sure what's ideal for bantams. I'm going to guess about 2 to 3 inches. Bet you could use a fat branch and take the top off to make a flatter spot. Then no wood purchase needed.

I'd use my trusty angle grinder for this job, rounds off the edges on 2 x 4s nicely for my standard size birds.

 

[venymae]

you want it large enough that her feet only curl around half or less of it.

 

[ThatCrazyChickenGirl]

Ah that's an idea! I'm not sure how it would go with my little hand saw I bought to build this...but I might be able to talk my boyfriend into helping me saw some perches. He pretends not to be crazy about our chicken, but then I catch him making lunch with her on his shoulder because she cheeped sadly when he tried to leave the room...

 

[Sunshine Flock]

you want it large enough that her feet only curl around half or less of it.

I haven't seen it put like that before. For me personally, a flat plank doesn't seem right; it works against the structure of their feet, but I've wrestled with a comfortable size. I'm currently hunting down manzanita branches for them, which aren't always perfectly round; they're flatter in areas with rounded edges.

Anyway, I love this chicken armoire. It's a clever design!

 

[N F C]

Comfy quarters for a house chicken! Are you going to keep the paper towels as bedding?

 

[Krazyquilts]

I just finished making a coop from an old wardrobe. I'm just going to keep 1-2 bantams in here at night. I've got a house pet silkie chick at the moment and wanted a place for her to sleep indoors.
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Opinions? Suggestions?

Cute! My first thought was that it was too small, but I read that it's for bantams, so I think it will be fine. I want to see pics of it when it's occupied too! Maybe with a "Home Tweet Home" sign. ;-)

My only suggestion is that I don't think that paper towels will be absorptive enough to use for bedding - maybe puppy pee pads? I used some for chicks as an experiment and they work great.