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Couple builds UFO inspired spaceship chicken coop that’s out of this world
This nifty DIY chicken coop is easier to build than you think. 🛸🐔
Jonathan Arrastia
10.28.20

DIY projects fill up the internet like helium in a balloon. There’s an infinite amount of possibilities when it comes to creating just about anything, and if you do it right, it can be done at an absurdly low cost.

Whether it’s a home-made trampoline or a makeshift vacuum, there’s no shortage of what can be done.

This brings us to one of the more interesting DIY projects out there. We’ve scoured the web in search of a truly unique design and it turns out, this one was really out of this world.

Meet the couple who’s turned the idea of a chicken coop into a full-blown UFO spaceship!

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

“When we expanded our flags this summer we knew a larger coupe would be necessary as an artistic couple and you couldn’t be just any coop… And as UFO nerds we had the perfect plan.”

The couple started to throw ideas at each other until they realized what the design would be.

It was fairly easy to conceptualize the shape of a UFO and so they determined using a satellite dish would be the best way to create its foundational shape. They were able to find two 10 foot dishes through their local Craigslist page and hopped right into it.

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

The structure was pretty much laid out once they stacked the two aluminum frames together. Then came the blueprint design for waterproofing, windows, ventilation, flooring, cleaning, and egg-access.

“We cut window holes for windows and screwed in 6-inch acrylic surveillance camera covers we found on eBay. They work perfectly!”

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

The couple cut out an 8-foot circular floor and covered it with counter-top laminate for easy cleaning. It comes equipped with handles to disassemble if need be.

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

Insulation was the next priority for the couple to solve.

They purchased a 1″ styrofoam insulation and made sure it fit snug as to not let any air seep out. It had just enough malleability to bend to the shape of the satellite dish.

“We made a huge mess in the yard… But once the insulation was complete, The UFO really started feeling like a coop. The door was framed out and a hatch was built in the back. The hatch provides easy access to hand boxes, food, and also cleaning as well as generating a nice draft for airflow.”

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

Covering the insulation up with a waterproof barrier was a necessity. The couple chose a roofing material very similar to tar paper, called roofing felt, which they used to cover the seams very efficiently.

The cherry on top was the aluminum paint to provide the classic UFO style and also add to the waterproofing feature.

The paint is originally designed to help keep the coop cool during hot summer days by essentially reflecting the light of the sun away.

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

After the paint dried, it was time to think about the positioning of the starship.

The couple kept the safety of their chickens in mind and decided to position craft at an elevated position. To do that, they purchased an 8-foot trampoline from a local manufacturer for $160.

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

For the finishing touches, additions of hen boxes, a hatch in the back, handles on top(for cleaning), perches on the inside, and lights for nighttime aesthetics.

“Lights were the final touch to truly make it look like a spaceship! (And definitely the best part) We used 2-inch clear tubing to house the LED lights and put the power source in the back hatch door. The lights are individually addressable I think the easier with a 5v 4a power supply controlled by an Arduino mega.”

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

And Voila! The UFO spaceship is complete and ready to abduct some chickens into a comfortable living space.

The project has come a long way and the chickens will no doubt appreciate their futuristic pad.

YouTube-Brett W
Source:
YouTube-Brett W

We hope this project has gotten your creative juices flowing to pursue your very own DIY creation!

To learn more about this other-worldly chicken coop, watch the video below.

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