Trailer Conversion Chicken Coop 3

I think lots of folks see chicken coops as practical structures intended to house their flock. If they are viewed as livestock those birds usually get a basic home that, hopefully, protects them from the elements and predators. Pet birds are often given more attention, which is reflected in the time and energy their keepers have put into making their coops aesthetically pleasing. Most folks are constrained by budgets, while others may not have the skill to undertake a DIY project.

And then there are the chicken keepers who think outside the box and build something creative that sets itself apart from what we usually have come to expect. I’ve previously featured two coops made from travel trailers while this one – the 35th in this series of Cool Coops – had a previous life as a utility trailer.

I’ve had chickens since I was a kid. I have 12 right now including Silkies, Speckled Sussex, Blue Laced Wyandottes, Easter Egger, Silver Laced Wyandottes, and bantam and barnyard mix.

I love building various kinds of small projects: shelves, a pig house, a dog house, handicap ramps for the little dogs, pens, rebuilding rabbit hutches and making funny signs for the yard.

I saw someone use a trailer as a moveable coop to use out in a pasture. I loved the idea but wanted something that also had a pen attached that was fun to look at, had all the bells and whistles, and was actually safe for them as well.

I did most of the work; my husband helped with a few parts of it. If I had worked on it consistently it would’ve only taken a month or so, but as is was it took six months.

Budget

The trailer, which was in rough shape, cost $1200. The solar system was my Christmas present. I had to buy paint as well as different hardware, bedding, feeder, waterer, window and roof vents, fenders, and odds and ends. We already had the bubble window, insulation, caulk, screws, wire, square tubing, cattle panels, and some of the other miscellaneous parts.

Trailer: 6’x12’ Run: 14′ long x 6’ wide x 7′ at the highest point

Features

Roll away nesting boxes (collected from outside)
Natural branch roosts
Bubble window
Super insulated roof
Rubber roof seal across entire topside
Sealed floor
Solar set up for inside light and exhaust fan with temperature switch
Two door vents, one roof vent
Hemp bedding (low dust)
Self levelling suspended water swing (so it doesn’t spill/leak when you move it or park on an incline)
Large feeder
Small grit dispenser
Custom sunflower cutout on inside of bubble window
Fenders
Tall predator proof pen under/in front
External separate door on front of pen
Side door access to trailer
Rear barn door access in back of trailer
Two nesting boxes
Various artwork/disco ball/hanging toys
Everything is sealed/caulked or has a visor to deflect rain
Custom paint job