We've long had the legend (based on some fact) about some trolleys, streetcars, and other rolling stock being "preserved" without trucks by adaptive reuse as "chicken coops," only to be rescued years later for preservation or at least stabilization for potential future preservation. This is so common that many transit preservationists routinely use the term "chicken coop" to describe such a reclaimed body project, and one long-ago listing project of traction cars in some form of limbo was named "The Chicken Coop Project."
Now I've been challenged by a chicken hobbyist magazine.
Are/were any of the project cars out there now (or even cars now running) actually a real chicken coop in a past chapter in their lives? Are there photos on file of the chickens setting on seats or hay-stuffed bag racks or perched on the farebox or railings, shovelfuls of chicken droppings being shoveled out before removal from the farm, etc.?
Searching "chicken coop" here isn't enough. I need to find proof to the level of photos of the chickens walking in and out, or eggs on the seats!
Can anyone come through with "smoking gun" evidence that their particular car once actually housed Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, Austrolorps, or whatever?
Non-traction rolling stock also eligible, mind you..............
Oh, and just for laughs, here's a "chicken coupe"................ chicks really like it.....
