Thursday, July 9, 2009

Prepping Projects - Temporary Chicken Coop




The chicks have grown up fast and are now chickens. They've gotten quite big and needed a lot more room than the small cage they were originally kept in at first. RW, Jr. came up with the idea of using a portable carport canopy, something like a 12x20, as a chicken coop until we could get some free time to build a more permanent structure. With both of us working regular jobs and part-time jobs as well, finding extra time for our prepping projects can be difficult. It's been working really good so far and the chickens seem to like the additional space to move around while they are scratching for bugs.

RW, Jr. bought the portable carport canopy on sale and used some heavier duty hardware cloth to seal up the sides because the varmints around here have a tendency to tear through regular chicken wire pretty quick. He also put down some old pieces of lattice work down around the edges to discourage predators from digging under the edges of the temporary chicken coop. A few solar lights were also added to make it easier to see around the coop at night. The canopy also gives them a lot more shade to protect them from the heat of the sun.

Got coop?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

coup looks great RW and that's a great idea.

matthiasj
Kentucky Preppers Network

riverwalker said...

To: matthiasj

He just used one section of the side support posts to keep it shorter and he set it up by himself. It's still quite portable and can be moved if it becomes necessary. Right now with the dry conditions he's keeping it close to a water source. Thanks.

RW

Anonymous said...

Cool advice - thank you RW. Another material you could use instead of hardware cloth is that construction fencing (orange stuff you see surrounding job sites), its way cheaper and nearly as tough. Not snake proof though.

I've used this material over a garden, using PVC pipe bent into hoops, sticking ends into pipe sunk into ground. Lets in more air, still allows some sun to get through. Be a good idea to keep at least one small area rain free with a solid top.

Its lightweight, compact - has a lot to recommend it. Shoot, you can even get it for free if you notice the construction site seems to be winding down - has the job superintendent. Good way to get scrounged material as well.

This stuff is pretty great - hope it helps.

Bitmap said...

It looks good to me. I'd reinforce it if needed, add chicken wire over the top and under the shade, and forget about making another.

Add an old dog house or something like that for shelter in bad weather and you're good to go.

riverwalker said...

To: anonymous 6:12

That orange fencing stuff is pretty strong. Great idea! I'm going to have to scrounge around some construction sites and see if I can come up with some of that stuff. Thanks.

RW

riverwalker said...

To: Bitmap

He's considering bolting some wooden slats across the top and putting some sheet metal on top for a more permanent roof. He has an old dog run cage that he is using for an entrance (don't have to stoop over to get inside) and it's covered on top and two sides with tin to keep out the rain. Thanks.

RW

Pickdog said...

very nice idea!!!

Pickdog III

riverwalker said...

To: pickdog

RW, Jr. is pretty resourceful when he puts his brain to work. Thanks.

RW

Ex Nihilo said...

You're like the Martha Stewart of survivalists! I mean that with all possible respect!

riverwalker said...

To: Ex Nihilo

Thank you for your most gracious comment. I always try to remind myself that survival is truly a daily endeavor for all of us. Thanks again.

RW

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