Wine Barrel Coop - used, and needs cleaning

[jeremy]

Cute coop! You are in Oakland?? Where at?

I'm in Oakland too.

 

[tammyd57]

What a cute and cozy looking coop for 2 or 3 chickens! I love it! Hmm......I know where I can get a barrel, cheap, and there's an old wheelbarrow frame at my brother's..............

See what you started?!?!?!?!

 

[Joyryder]

Quote:

 

[CityChook]

Mine too.

If you have access to a hole saw, I'd put some more holes in it. It looks like it could use some more ventilation -- and maybe some sunlight too. But have to admit, it's awefully clever.

 

[CoopCrazy]

That is awesome..Talk about a stealth coop ... Love it

 

[JulieAdams]

Okay, so rookie questions: Does it need more sunlight if they're going to be in the run during the day? Will the chickens be all right without food and water during the night? We bought this with the idea that we could add a run and move it around the yard but does that only work in areas where one doesn't have raccoons? It's crazy-cute and the funny part is, I didn't even see a picture before I got it -- my husband picked it up and brought it home, and there is precious little info about it on the web. I was afraid even posting photos might be taboo somehow, since no one anywhere else had done so. Building a big run to put it inside of seems like the most predator-proof option but takes away from it's cuteness and mobility.

Aaaack!

 

[CityChook]

With the wonky shape, it might be easier to build a run that the coop would sit inside of. But that makes it pretty non-portable. Maybe look at the coop design page for some potential run ideas that could be removed/attached during the moving phase.

No, it doesn't really NEED sunlight if it's opened up during the day. But I'd make sure that I'm out early to open them up. Sometimes I don't get out until after 10, especially when it's subzero outside, so I'm glad for my windows. I just figured that it would be mighty dark inside that barrel.

They don't really need food/water at night. They're sleeping and have bad eyesight in the dark. But again, I'd be sure to let them out on the early side so they can rehydrate in the morning.

Raccoons live in all environments. If you let your chickens free range (no run), especially unattended, be prepared for some losses.

 

[HEChicken]

That is a seriously cute coop but I don't envy you the job of trying to clean it out. If I were you, I would probably try to line it with several layers of newspaper and just pull out the newspaper, poop and all, every other day or so.

 

[JestersEye]

That coop is SO cute! I would have had to get it, also... even if it does have a few minor limitations. If nothing else, it's a great starter coop for young chooks. It's worth having in your yard simply because it's so unique, imo!

 

[JulieAdams]

JestersEye - thank you for the encouragement! Going to hardware store now for supplies for the run and a good scrub brush. HEChicken -- we'll need a subscription! Maybe grocery bags will work? We have too many of those! CityChook - thank you for the info. We're up at 6 every day with our 2-year-old so we should be fine with adding coop opening to the morning chores.