Wild idea -- will it work?

[SheriM]

DH and I were just discussing how to house birds if you want just a few each of several different breeds and I was struck with a wild idea. I can't see why it wouldn't work, but I'm a total novice at chickens, so I thought I'd throw the idea out to the experts on this list.

Get an old, non-working chest style freezer, cut a pop door in one side, fill with bedding and voila...one extremely well insulated chicken house. For ventilation, you could prop the lid open a few inches, or cut a vent hole at the top on the side opposite the pop door and rig up a slide to vary the size of the opening.

For added warmth in winter, you could just hang an ordinary light bulb inside.

So, what do you think. Am I crazy, or will this work?

 

[Lil Chickie Mama]

You would definitely need ventilation, but other than that, I'm interested to see what everyone else says! You do need at least 4 sq feet of floor space (uncovered) per bird though.

 

[Omran]

I would not do it, but that's just me, I think it will be very small, no lights or nothing, the way I see it unhappy chickens = BIG HEADACHE
Happy Chickens = a lot of eggs and fun.

 

[RHewitt]

I think it would make one heck of a brooder. You could install a couple of PC fans to keep it ventilated.

 

[SheriM]

I was thinking of this as a house inside a run, somewhere for them to go at night and in bad weather, not for full time accommodations...and for a pair, or maybe a trio at the most for a really large freezer.

I do agree it would be a good brooder. I think I've even seen one in pictures.

 

[LilbitChicken]

I am new to chickens, but I am curious as to what others say. It still sounds small...BUT for 2 chickens....why not????

 

[RHewitt]

I say go for it and post some pics of the finished product. Square footage of a large freezer is more than some of the doghouse coops I have seen and it would last forever. May get a little rusty but definately weather proof.

 

[addicted2chicks]

An idea, lay it on the side, take the top off and add plywood. Make your pop door on your plywood piece and you could even install a little window with hardware cloth. You will then still have the freezer but adequate light and ventilation. Could paint the plywood and from the front nobody would know it was a freezer. You could also do it with an upright freezer or fridge with the same concept of laying it down and taking the door off. Could you imagine how easy that would be to clean?

 

[vermontgal]

When you cut through the walls of the freezer, make sure that the chickens can't eat the insulation. Also obviously make sure not to puncture any of the coolant tubing...

Makes me wish I hadn't given away the large chest freezer that came with my house!

 

[Big dreams]

Pretty soon everything does start looking like a coop or brooder or a chicken something huh? I think it would work, but I like the door off and replaced with plywood idea, make it a little easier for you, cutting through that may be quite difficult. Everyone knows there is nothing wrong with keeping your chickens in a freezer.