Gypsy Chicken Coop

By: Linda Huddleston for FaveCrafts

Get the wheels rolling on your next DIY project with this Gypsy Chicken Coop. Made from an old feed barrel, this farm-friendly DIY project is great for parents to do with their little "chicks"! Like its name suggests, this project is also fun to take on the road...and your chickens are sure to love riding in style! With a bit of paint and some imagination, you can create a one-of-a-kind home for your loveable clucking pets.

Primary TechniquePainting

Intermediate

Materials:

Plastic 55 gallon barrel
Jig saw
1 x 12 x 4 white pine particle board for base inside
2 x 4 x 4 white pine scrap lumber
Cable zip ties
Painters masking tape
Scrap wood
1/2" pvc tubing
4 1/2" pvc rounded caps
2 colors (1 can each) Krylon Fusion for Plastic

Instructions:

Thoroughly clean barrel.
Cut door and ventalation holes on top and bottom of barrel. Cut 2x4 axles. Cut 4 12" wheels with a 1/2" hole in the middle. Cut particle board to fit as floor inside barrel.
Mask then paint top and bottom. Let dry before removing tape. Paint wheels. Let dry. Then mask and paint for spokes. Let paint cure for 7 days.
Drill holes in ends of 2x4 axles, insert PVC piece long enough to thread wheel on, capping with PVC cap. Bolt axle to the bottom of barrel. Place floor in barrel. Using zip ties, attached doors to coop.
Ready for 2 standard size hens or a trio of Banties.