We added a gutter and rain barrel to the coop and it is magic!

[Chicks4MyFamily]

We bought a rain barrel off craigslist and put a gutter on the slanted coop roof and after only a few minutes of rain we had 1/3 of a barrel. It has a spout on the bottom and I just put the watering can underneath and water my garden. It is SO convenient I am in LOVE with it!

 

[ajay]

Very cool! We need to do that too. Such a good idea.

 

[Sinfonian]

Wow! That's one big coop to fill 1/3 a rain barrel in one rain. My coop roof is only 48 SF. I thought about that idea and decided against it. I've got 2 barrels for 1,200 SF of roof on my house which does a better job for us.

Well done. Very well done! Congrats.

 

[Chicks4MyFamily]

originally I was only going to install the gutter to protect my small "chicken" garden behind the coop (my parents have farm and provide us with veggies just planted cabbage etc for chickents). After putting the coop so close to the beds and all the rain we had in the early spring the water had completely tore up my beds. Gutter fixed the problem and I thought why not put a rain barrel there as it is hidden by nesting boxes from my kitchen window view -works great!

 

[jbethmann]

I've been wanting to set up a rain barrel for the chickens water.... your set up Looks great!

 

[Causin Chaos]

cute

 

[Horizon Structures]

I LOVE your coop set up!

And the rain barrel is a great idea. Adding gutters to the coop will extend its life in general, as well.

 

[allieloveschickens]

You coop is sooo cute! Great idea adding a rain barrel- maybe I'll try that in the winter (not too much rain here in San Diego!)

 

[sammyh312]

great idea! GONNA TRY THAT MYSELF.

 

[ll]

Please post a photo of the rain barrel set-up? -subscribes-