The Next Scoop: Using Shipping Containers as Chicken Coops
If you’ve gone grocery shopping lately then you’ve seen how chickens and chicken eggs have drastically gotten more expensive. Purchasing $30-$40 for organic chicken in Ontario?
With the trend of meal preps, it has become a balancing act of saving money, trying to eat healthy, and also being conscientious of the environment and ethical animal farming practices. Especially with today’s economy and rising inflation rates, it can be difficult to justify paying the exorbitant prices of organic or free-range chickens and eggs.
So why not raise your own chickens?
Raising your own chickens can be a cost-effective solution to having a steady supply of fresh eggs while knowing these chickens are being raised in an ethical manner. A single chicken can lay up to 250 eggs per year with proper care and feeding, meaning that even a few birds can provide for you and your family for a much lower price tag. While the thought of starting up a chicken coop may seem intimidating at first, all you really need is a decent sized yard and a modified shipping container, and then you are good to go.
Why a Shipping Container as a Chicken Coop?
Since one major goal of raising your own chickens is to keep costs as low as possible, we recommend repurposing a shipping container to use as a chicken coop. It’s a cheaper and easier option than building a coop from scratch, but it is just as effective. It will require less maintenance, saving you money in the long run.
A container coop is also a very unique solution to raising chickens for several other reasons:
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Container and Size
When intending to keep chickens outdoors year-round, it is important to choose a good container with weather-proofing and size taken into consideration. Containers are wind and water resistant, allowing your coop to be large enough to comfortably and safely house your chickens. By knowing roughly how many chickens you would like to raise, you can estimate how much space you will need in the coop. A general rule of thumb is to plan around 4 square feet per chicken. Shipping container sizes range from 10’ to 40’ in length and 8’ 6” or 9′ 6” in height, giving you a wide variety of options to choose from. Containers can also be modified to fit the dimensions of your property or to meet the specific needs of the number of chickens you are intending to raise.
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Highly Customizable
Not only are shipping containers highly customizable in size, but you can also customize the design of each container to give your coop a unique aesthetic that looks more modern and clean than a coop made of wood or wiring. The options are endless! You can add windows and lighting, insulation, extra doors, door ramps, perches, nesting boxes, feeders, and anything else you or your chicken could want to your container. Full control over the design of your coop allows you to regulate the temperature, add ventilation or lighting, and keep your chickens’ living space clean and organized for your convenience
3. Durability
The weather in Ontario is known to be unpredictable, and shipping containers allow you to prepare for whatever comes your way. Shipping containers are made of corten steel, making them highly structurally sound and long-lasting so they can endure rain, snow, and harsh winds. It is important to note that containers come in different structure grades, so be sure to ask for guidance in selecting a suitable container. Our containers are just as strong internally, which is especially helpful when trying to protect from the damage that may be caused by chickens pecking or scratching at the structure. All in all, a shipping container is a cost-effective way to protect your chickens from weather, pests, and predators.
4. Portability
One concern with a chicken coop might be portability – what if you ever need to move your coop? Maybe you need to move it elsewhere on your land, or maybe you are moving to another property entirely. While traditional chicken coops will need to be disassembled before being transported and restabilized in a new spot, shipping containers can easily be moved using a fork-lift or a truck. This will make the entire process quicker and more convenient, saving you time and labour.
5. Sustainability
If the goal to raise chickens and harvest their eggs is to be eco-friendly, then upcycling a shipping container would be the most suitable way to go about this in a sustainable manner. More than anything, raising your own chickens is better for our planet than contributing to the process of factory farming. With home-raised chickens, you reduce your carbon and water footprint by producing less pollution and consuming less energy. In addition, by choosing a shipping container, you continue to reduce your carbon footprint by producing less waste, reusing materials, and conserving resources.
Overall, having your own modified shipping container chicken coop is much more than a unique and exciting conversation starter. Raising your own chickens in a modified container provides a cost-effective and sustainable solution to providing your family with food, while ensuring that animals are kept in a durable and ethical living space.
It is important to remember that each Municipality in Ontario is different. Be sure to check your local township’s regulations and zoning laws to see if you require a permit before setting up your coop.
CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options for choosing the right shipping container or modifying shipping containers for chicken coops, Sigma is here to help! Our associates will be sure to assist you at every step of the way. We are dedicated to guiding our customers to make informed decisions and purchase the right product to meet all their needs.
Call Sigma Container Corporation at 1-877-225-7765 or contact us online to get started.