This is the first chicken coop that I’ve ever built and I used no plans, just the vision in my head! I did draw my vision on some graph paper and off to buy lumber I went.
The reality is it took three times as long as I expected to build and cost twice as much as I originally estimated.
The plan was for 8’ x 5’ coop with a 12’ x 8’ attach run, tall enough that I could walk through without hitting my head, lean to roof with a 4 12 pitch, and I’m 6’2” so the high wall needed to be over 8’!
I used railroad ties as my footers around the entire footprint and buried/leveled them.....which was no easy task!
Prefabricated the walls, doors, and trusses in the shop.
I had some cedar boards from a fence I replaced this spring that I wanted to repurpose as the siding of the coop for a cool rustic look. I also used an old farmhouse window for daylight in the coop.
I designed a 5’ wide community nesting box which was a lot more difficult that they had imagined.
I also scored on some used tin from a friend who replaced their roof. That saved me hundreds!
I still have some finishing touches to complete but the ladies had no choice but to move in!
Used some old cedar split rail poles for the roosts and perches.
