Elcyd's Chicken Coop

Heres the basic story of the Coop and Chickens.

Let me introduce myself- I am a true City Slicker who is now a certifiable- I mean certified- Country girl.  After wearing down my husband (2 Years worth of nudging)  he conceded to let me   ....LOL.......have Chicks.  I began by doing a bit of research- and talking to everyone I knew about my plans of getting some egg laying hens.  I went to livestock auctions, surfed the net etc.  I had a coop designed- but soon after a neighbor offered their coop to me.  It wasn't truly what I wanted- but did fit the bill in terms of price and my desire to do this with as much recycled material as I could.  What better than a recycled coop?

I got to work and cut the siding- then realized they needed windows.

Initially it was just Tyvek covered.  I got two sheets of T-111- painted them to match our house and on they went.  I did build a new door- because the old one was a bit rough.

I had some old cabinets that already had the Chicken wire so I cut some windows.  Of course then I realized I needed a way to shutter them in inclement weather.

I am starting to get the hang of the power tools- so I decided to get fancy and go for the sliding door entry.  It actually works! 

Once done- The help arrives and its time for it to go to its home on the hill.

Much heavier than it looks!

 

 

For the fence.  I decide to go with some fencing I got off of Freecycle.  I did have to buy the posts.  I then realized that I needed Chicken wire because the holes were way too big - and I had been cautioned that raccoons could reach in, and chicks would wander off.  The chicken wire is in the works- but the little ones are too small yet anyway.  I made the gate out of scrap lumber we had around the property.  All in all I doubt I spent over $300- in paint hardware, and lumber.

  

Of course I did the whole thing back wards. 

The coop was pretty much done and I realized I didn't have a brooder.  We had an old headboard in a shed that was there when we built the house and I converted it into a brooder.

My son unscrewed the top and we used an aquarium lid

 I had to put a little door on the back so I could convert it to a walk through.

 

 

 

Last week was the happy day of arrival.  Three Buff Orps, Two White silkies, and 2 Delawares.

More to come as they grow.  Thanks for visiting my page.

 

An update- a nice day- tractor built- time to meet the big dog.

Glad the dog doesn't realize thats one thin net!

Of course the Silkies have no fear.

 

Spring arrives- First day in the new coop!