posted 11 years ago
I'm pondering some options for one or two structures -- either a combined "barn" for both rabbits and poultry, or two separate structures.
Rabbits do not handle heat well -- cold is much more to their liking -- and need cool, comfy, shady environs. My rabbits are currently situated under my "pecan grove" but I'm tired of dealing with tarps and definitely tired of me getting drenched when I have to tend them in a downpour.
My chickens have a 3-sided coop which they all used for a year and then all but one decided the Camellia tree was more to their liking. So, these are not pampered chickens with an insulated coop. And, again, the worst weather I need to protect them from is tropical storms/hurricanes....and the occasional ice storm.
My original idea was to convert a 16x16 "dog kennel" into a "barn" using a metal carport cover and the chainlink sides -- and in bad weather, pulling tarps down on the sides. But, that idea is not in the circular file due to costs. So, I'm considering options. I've seen ideas of PVC hoop houses which have some advantages but I'm also considering earth bag as an option....I'm just not sure how it would be done and whether it would be structurally sound AND cool in the summer. I would need it to be able to hold a cage bank that is 12.5 feet long plus 6 hutches and 5 hanging cages.
Has anyone built either a rabbit barn or other animal shelter using earth bags?
http://notquitethereyethomestead.blogspot.com/ --On the highway going from here to there the question is oft asked "are we there yet". The oft given answer is "not quite yet". So it goes with life and with my little piece of it. This is my story. I get to tell it my way. I hope you enjoy it.
