Recycled Plastic Chicken Coops / Hen Houses

The hen house has traditionally been made of wood but now we have quite a range of plastic houses available. The question we're often asked is 'Are plastic hen houses as good as wooden ones?"

The answer is that in many ways the recycled plastic hen houses are better than the traditional wood chicken coop. I've listed the benefits and disadvantages for you:

Benefits of Recycled Plastic Hen Houses

• Cleanliness – plastic houses have smooth surfaces which are easy to jet-wash clean.
• Pests & Parasites – unlike wooden coops, there are no nooks and crannies in the plastic to harbour pests like red mite. If you do have red mite in the flock already, much easier to sterilise.
• Low Maintenance – wooden hen houses will need treating, usually each year, with bird-friendly wood preservative to keep them in good condition. Parts in contact with the ground are particularly liable to rot and require repair.
• Drafts - wood, being a natural material, will dry and shrink in hot dry weather and expand in wet weather which can cause gaps to appear allowing drafts. Chickens are hardy but drafts can cause health problems, especially in the winter.
• Long Life – so long as the plastic is UV stabilised, a plastic house should never deteriorate and literally last decades.
• Insulation – plastic houses, especially in light colours, remain cool in the summer and warmer in the winter (lack of drafts)
• Light Weight – plastic coops generally weigh less and so are easier to move around the garden or field.
• Environment – recycled plastic is helpful to the environment and reduces carbon emissions. Although wood for wooden houses can be re-grown it depends on how the forest is actually managed.
• Appearance – many people love the modern look of the plastic houses.

Disadvantage of Recycled Plastic Hen Houses

• Cost – it has to be said, they are more expensive than cheap wooden houses to buy initially. However when you divide the cost by the very long lifespan, plastic coops work out cheaper in the long run.
• Light Weight – although this is an advantage for moving the coop, in some very windy positions it could be a problem. In any case, chicken coops are best sited in sheltered spots.
• Appearance – it's a matter of personal taste, some people prefer the looks of the traditional wood hen coop or ark and wooden hen houses can be painted and decorated to almost make them works of art!

The Eco Chicken Coop Range

This exciting range of chicken coops come in various sizes to house from a pair of large birds to six large or ten bantams! Designed by a chicken keeper for chicken keepers this range is going to make the job easy and be kind to the environment.

More Information on the Eco Chicken Coop

The Eco Chicken Ark

The Eco Ark is manufactured from the recycled plastic waste collected from farms and suitable for up to 10 hens. Over 25000 farmers have signed up to a collection scheme within the UK, whereby waste like the left over plastic feed bags, shrink wrap, and plastic drums (all destined for landfill) are collected, processed and finally recycled into end products including this amazing chicken coop.

More Information on the Eco Chicken Ark

The Eco Hen House

Suitable for 3 - 4 medium size hens the Eco Hen House is a great solution for the backgarden. Move the coop around the lawn with the hens in the optional run and they'll look after your lawn!

Recycled plastic is kind to the environment and very easy to keep clean and parasite free.

More Information on the Eco Hen House