If you can't build out, build up! Chicken skyscrapers!

[HouseMouseHens]

I saw this and thought it was neat, so I had to share. For some reason there is always someone in Portland giving away these giant spools. No idea what they are for, but here is an idea of what they COULD be for!

Chicken Skyscrapers

 

[Jim19053]

That's a great idea! Is your area getting re-wired for fiber optic cable? Pretty sure that those rolls are from your local phone company, cable company, or electric company. In our area the telco and cable tv co. are very busy rewiring everything to fiber and we see those big wood spools everywhere. Some are 3ft, 4ft, and even 6ft in diameter. What a great use for them!

 

[Mskayladog]

I read a blog don't know if it's the same person, and since this type coop has been revived on Pinecrest or what ever that site is called he updated. He said it was a waste of time building that
Spool coop, it rotted very quickly and would advise people not to waste their time or energy building it. I will search my history and try to find the link.
Lol it was here I read it, here is the Linky

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/132323/got-empty-wire-spools-heres-an-idea/60

 

[7L Farm]

You could probably paint them. Seems like their way to small but might be ok to raise a few quail in. JMO.

 

[chefchick]

What a cute idea! I am sure painting them would help... but...We use a giant spool like these at our school's concession stand as a giant condiment table. We put a vinyl cloth over it when we use it, but other than that it's exposed to the elements. We have had it for years, and have had not problems with it rotting so far.

 

[HouseMouseHens]

I could see how they might rot, especially in very wet places like here in the PNW. I wonder if you really wanted to use the spools if you could seal them somehow to make them last a bit longer? I can't utilize this idea anyways, as my flock is too large... I'd need like five or six of the biggest ones possible to have enough room! Haha! Just thought it was neat....

 

[Red Barn Farms]

I've seen these same images when I ran a google search on coops. I sure wish I could find a few steel spools in my area. Back a few years ago i worked for one company that used steel in manufacturing all the time. We burned 100's of these spools weekly. Who would have thought I'd need them years later. We did keep one which was used as a picnic table but it's been long gone.

a few coats of clear coat would probably solve any future rotting problem.

 

[rdaredbs]

I am very new to this so my question may be simple but, can the chickens really fly that high to get to the top coop?

 

[savvytiff]

Rdaredbs,it depends on the chicken. Some birds will fly over anything without a top. Some birds cannot fly well and some are able but just dont want too. Sometimes it depends on the breed and sometimes even on the individual bird. It's a chicken thing!

 

[IndigoChicken12]

I saw this somewhere else, but those people used it for a brooder, which might be better.