This month’s “Cool Coop” is probably the craziest, most original coop yet! It’s the ultimate example of repurposing or upcycling, and it’s a fully functioning coop as well! Continue to read as John L’Heureux from Litchfield, New Hampshire describes how this unusual coop came to be:
My sister’s step son used to work for a Porta Potty rental company. When a potty was no longer viable, they would crush it. Rather than see them wasted, he would give them away. Most people used them as storage sheds. My sister Cheryl had several, and used one as a coop. When she asked if I could use one, I jumped at the opportunity. I had been wanting to get a few chickens, but I wasn’t willing to spend hundreds of dollars to buy (or build ) a coop.
When I got the coop, it was an empty shell. I installed a roost and poop board on one side, and attached an 8 foot by 8 foot run to the other side. The back wall has two nesting boxes that are accessible from the outside.
The run has a corrugated roof and is enclosed with heavy duty wire.
I have 5 chickens. One Rhode Island Red, two New Hampshire Reds, and two Black Sex Links. I spoil them rotten, and they keep me amused.
I do not have a rooster because my neighbors are close, but my cat has taken on the job of watching over them. It is fun to watch them interact.
Having chickens is such a pleasure.
Thanks John for sharing your creative coop! I’m sure our readers will appreciate your ability to see a potential coop in the most unlikely structures!
If you have a “Cool Coop” you would like to share with the Community, email me at RNickols@communitychickens.com
Click on the link below for previous entries in the “Cool Coops!” series…
To view what else is happening at our Southwest Missouri property visit: the garden-roof coop
If you enjoy bird-watching (in addition to chicken-watching), I invite you to follow my Facebook page: Rebecca’s Bird Gardens
6 Comments
what kind of sand can I use in my coop I dont want to continue to use pine shavings it is to hard to keep clean/dry and scoop poop out without taking a tone of shavings with it, creating one heck of a pile to get rid of and keep buying bales of the stuff. I have a grass runs can I use the sand over that or wait until the chickens have decimated the grasses?
We suspect that it will depend on what else you have near your coop and run. Sand tends to migrate everywhere. The advantage of shavings is that they biodegrade and you can use them as compost. Sand is pretty inert and will simply accumulate a lot of chicken poop.
That said, choose sand that doesn’t have any chemical additives as the chickens will peck it up to use as grit in their crops. You will want coarse sand that they can scratch easily. Avoid fine sands as they can get in your birds’ eyes and respiratory systems.
I love, love, love this – will share. As we are in a gated community and chickens are not allowed – bummer! I’d do this in a heartbeat.
Oh my gosh, I LOVE this! Great job thinking outside the box. You’ve surely inspired me to keep my eyes open for something less traditional now.
I would never have thought of that! You probably can add some flowers and other plants to “camouflage” the Porta Potty and also add some nice little treats for the chickens.
Another idea is you can add 2 or more together to make a larger coop!
What may I ask did you use for the flooring, pea gravel or oyster shells? LOVE your idea!