• Created on 5/4/13 by featherweightmn

Wow, we love seeing all the homemade coops on this site -but, we opted to buy one already made. Just didn't have the time, or patience to make one. Also, we wanted a "good quality" coop that would last through the ages. So, thankfully we bought one made by the Amish(or Mennonite society -not sure which) community. We were so impressed by the attention to detail and craftsmanship! For $900 (or so) dollars total we were able to get extras like windows, a run, tin roof(or tile if desired) in any paint color -or stain for the same price! (we added the flower boxes)... read more

• Created on 5/4/13 by ocd123

    The chicken Mansion   We decided to build a new chicken coop much bigger than our last to hold 6 birds.  So we watched quite a few chicken videos on youtube and found some really good ideas. We designed the coop in two sections so that we can close off one side to make it easier to clean out.     We have two sliding doors which close off the sleeping area/nesting boxes and second section to the coop.To open and close these doors we have installed a pulley system which is secured by a wooden toggle and metal hook. (Below:)         The... read more

• Created on 5/3/13 by swainton

My daughter had ben asking for chickens for almost a year. I'm a pushover but it took a long time for my wife to relent. We went and checked out some other chickens and coops in the area to make sure it was something we really wanted to do. Once deciding we were going to raise chickens I got the book "Raising Chickens for Dummies". It was great. I didn't do any other reading other than that and this site helped a lot as well.      Here we are unloading the lumber. I think I spent about $300 in my first run to Home Depot. I think I have spent about $700 total... read more

• Created on 5/3/13 by kkidsmom

Getting the pallets: $1 each at the local green recycling/compost place. Free found stacked down at our local lake and with permission of the county commissioner. Free from my work, our hospital gets from 2-5 per day. Pallets are more easily taken apart with a wrecking saw and a nails in wood blade rather than hammers and crow/pry bars. The latter tend to split the wood too much.   Planning the design: Taking after my father and his building projects, the plans are all in my head (causing my DH no little amount of stress) and have some fluidity as we go. Having... read more

• Created on 5/3/13 by kkidsmom

Our First Coop: With little building experience and a plan modified and borrowed from TSC my DH and I began our coop building venture. The finished product. Something old - the crate and pallets used for a porch and steps. Something new the coop itself. Something borrowed the dog kennel panels and the basic idea for the coop. Something blue the old table in the corner provides shade and shelter while giving them an outdoor roost.   This is just the beginning. I will add more pics and explaination soon. read more

• Created on 5/3/13 by jennyp0208

We've been wanting chickens for years but didn't think it was possible on our small, in-town lot. After some careful law researching and thinking, we decided to give it a go! We knew we wanted a coop and fully enclosed run. Although we plan on free ranging some, we live between two schools with a big playground and a 3rd school only a few blocks away, plus the normal collection of stray and pest animal, so it's necessary for us to have a space where they don't HAVE to be let out to range.   We started with this idea:... read more

• Created on 5/2/13 by trentropy

                              A-frame roof, about 7' high. Just about 8' x 4' area. Hard to see but I laid out red brick footings, long side down all around the base of the wood frame to deter critters from digging under the wood. Most of the frame is pressure treated wood, except the interior and under-roof framing. Has electric for the light fixture and possible heating lamp for the winter. I added some little plexiglass windows for light. Thanks to all the foks who posted their ideas here,... read more

• Created on 5/1/13 by Davidlonghair76

Describe 'the Coop Deville' here the coop Deville is a design that i thought of while researching kkeepping chickens.I wanted a design that i s secure,safe,easy to build,and it had to be cheap,and easy to maintain. Cheap it was with a total of $87 spent on hardware,and pipe.The fence was a freebie,the lumber was freebies,the vinyl was free. ok inside deminsions are 4'x4'x5',the run is 4'x4'x10',three nesting boxes measuring 14"x14"x14" given the materials that i had on hand ,Some round fence post,alot of 5/8 moisture composite wood,and various sizes of... read more

• Created on 5/1/13 by jefflouella

      I’ve been kicking around the idea of building a coop and raising some hens for a couple reasons. First, the eggs. Fresh eggs from chickens raised properly are much better in my opinion. Secondly, I wanted my children to experience a tiny bit of the food chain. Thirdly (is that a word?), I have a nice garden and the chickens can help me produce better compost, clean up the bugs in the yard, and aerate the lawn. Mostly, I think it would be cool to raise some chicks. Before I built the coop, I thought out what I wanted to do. I am new to raising... read more

• Created on 5/1/13 by MyHenporium

We live in a mountain community, near Yosemite National Park.  Most folks here seem to have some sort of livestock, and I hear about the joys of animal keeping, daily,  from my co-workers. One day the bug just bit me!  I must have chickens!  And ducks!  Now!  So I purchased "Chicken Coops For Dummies" and read it cover to cover.  I spent some time trying to decide which of the coops I wanted, from their plans of very small, to walk-in sizes. After reviewing my strengths: I'm a 70 year old female, working full time, with absolutely ZERO experience at building... read more