How to Convert a Barrel Into a Chicken House

Raising chickens is a fun, albeit often costly, endeavor. Building a coop, putting up secure fencing and providing adequate shelter can put a large dent in your pocketbook. However, chickens are adaptable and will seek out shelter in the simplest of structures, including buckets and barrels. Converting a barrel into a chicken shelter is an ideal way to use those empty barrels on your property and prevent bankruptcy by chicken.

Things You'll Need

  • Empty wooden wine barrel
  • Hose
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Scrub brush
  • Handsaw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the top off an empty wooden wine barrel, and lay the barrel on its side. Soak the inside of the barrel with a hose, and drizzle in a few drops of liquid dish soap. Scrub the inside of the barrel with a stiff scrub brush to wash away grime, then rinse with a stream of water. Set the barrel with its open side on the ground, and leave it outside to dry overnight.

    • 2

      Use a handsaw to cut out alternating staves at the top and bottom of the barrel. Staves are individual slats that make up the barrel, so cut the staves from the quarter hoop to the bilge hoop on each end of the barrel to provide adequate space for chickens to climb in and out of the barrel.

    • 3

      Turn the barrel right side up and fill the bottom with clean straw. Set the barrel inside the coop, replacing the soiled straw once a week to keep your chickens happy and comfortable.