Dog crates come in many different designs, colors, sizes and materials.
You can keep chickens in a dog crate with a few important modifications. Unlike dogs, chickens don't potty train. This means that they will poop in the dog crate without a care in the world. The way you set up the dog-crate chicken coop should ensure that the chickens don't end up living in unhealthy conditions. Turn your dog crate into a chicken coop by providing a roost, a laying nest, food and water. The crate coop should provide each chicken with a minimum of 2 square feet of floor space and 15 to 18 inches of head room.
Instructions
1. Line the floor of the dog crate with 3 to 6 inches of pine shavings. These shavings will absorb chicken droppings and minimize odor.
2. Cut 4 inches off the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket with a utility knife and place it in the back of the dog crate. This will act as the nesting box. Fill the nest with 3 inches of pine shavings to cushion the eggs.
3. Set a 4-inch-by-4-inch brick or block of wood in the middle of the crate. This brick or block can be as long as the width of the crate. This will act as the roost for the chicken or chickens.
4. Set a feeder and waterer just inside the door of the crate so the chicken or chickens have easy access.
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