I finished my mostly pallet coop for meat chickens this spring, just in time for the first batch. Total cost around $100. Size: about 90 square feet in a sort of U shape. See more pics on my blog: http://iridescent-dreams.blogspot.ca/2013/05/the-poultry-cottage.html read more
We live on a suburban city lot in a town that allows for backyard chickens. We wanted to build a coop that would support 4 hens very comfortably and be attractive in our yard when people walk by next door. My daughter had a Step 2 Cottage playhouse that she no longer plays with - so we had the bright idea to convert it! Then I read more about how people have successfully converted their plastic playhouses all over the country. So we went with the plan. The cottage is raised about 30" off the ground on a very sturdy platform made of 2x4's and plywood. ... read more
So where do I start.. at the beginning? How it came to be? The STORY I warn you.. To get where we are today we had to go through a tremendous tragedy. I have been through a lot in my life, but losing my barn, and all my animals was the worst. I am the type of person that connects more with animals than humans. The animals were my family. My love, my joy, my passion. When I get into something, I dive in, head first - giving it with my heart. My dream is to breed and raise poultry, goats, dogs, etc. I was right on track. We had finished building our first 12 pen... read more
Just starting a post here for our new Coop and Run. Just getting a feel for the process right now but will try to post everything in the next few days. We live on a large lot but, because of dogs, cats, coyotes, etc, the chicks can't be free range except for highly supervised periods, so the coop and attached run were designed to be a comfortable size for up to 6 chickens. Raised coop is 5x6, and the run consists of the area under the coop plus an additional 60 sq ft. I designed the entire project with Sketchup and really enjoyed... read more
Built this 90% by myself. Had my husband help with the roof and attaching the first 2 walls. 4 nesting boxes on the side. 3 roost bars. Room for food inside. I used a full sheet of plywood (8x4) for the floor and went up from there. Fence sections (8 feet tall rough cut) were used for the siding. Metal roof. All items were bought at Home Depot and I think I spent around $350. Put a sand floor down. So far, the girls are happy, happy, happy! More details on my... read more
First off I would like to thank the entire community for all of the information and suggestions that are out there! I would also like to say “thanks” to all of the previous coop designers I stole ideas from – I think every coop on backyard chickens is great – they take a lot of work, planning, and sometimes $$$. Here are some assembly photos – total cost was about $300, down to the last screw – has low pressure watering system with cups (my meat birds loved them in their tractor so I used them here as well), drop-down entrance with chain to raise and secure,... read more
Step 1: Get a bunch of free wood from a Craig's List ad. 5 2x6s, 3 2x4s and some other scraps scavenged from the alley by your house. I also got a pallet from a guy whose cabinets were delivered on pallets. Step 2: Rip all the boards in half (2x6s and 2x4s become 2x3s and 2x2s). Watch a bunch of YouTube videos and don't be scared. Use the guiding attachment on the circular saw. It isn't as hard as it looks. Be safe! Wear goggles, a mask and ear buds if you don't have ear plugs like me. That saw is... read more
Moved our 4, 7 week-old chickens (BO, Barred Rock, Welsummer & Red SL) out to the coop today. Still need to finish the run and add the nesting boxes but the DW said either the chickens sleep out in the coop or I do so today was moving day. Hope to build the nesting boxes and finish enclosing the run tomorrow. The coop is roughly 4'x4' sitting over a 4'x8' run. Looking at the coop from our house. You can see the Ador automatic door. Raising the door 12" off the floor (I hope to use DLM) necessitated moving door to the right which means a challenge for... read more
Abbott Eco coop was built using materials that would be hardy enough to withstand the Miami heat, and rains. We decided to go with plastic rather than wood because of the constant moisture and humidity, wood is less resilient. This coop is small built for our two Buff Orpingtons in our small urban backyard. Since we plan to keep our hens range free, and give them a run and coop for night. Total material cost $100 For the coop we used a compost bin (available at Home Depot about $50) and modified it to keep out rain and provide efficient ventilation. It’s great... read more
I can move this around but its heavy. The original idea was to put it in the garden to allow the chickens to eat the pests but my wife loves it next to her barny tack room. read more
