• Last updated 5/17/13 by 12chickenlover3

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BLUE AND WHITE DELIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     So I got my chickens unexpectantly, when we went to tractor supply 2 years ago. We brought them home on my and put them in a cardboard box. I really wanted chickens, but my husband said, "No", "Nope", and "Never. We built this coop in a weekend in my garage. We currently have 8 chickens, 1 black Silkie, 1 gold Silkie, 3 Buff Orpingtons, and 3 Leghorns. Sorry I don't have any in progresses. This is the overview of it. I need to cut the grass!!!! These are the nesting boxes. We... read more

• Last updated 5/19/13 by GabeStalker

I'm new to the chicken world so i figured i'd make a little thread on how i got started. I eat eggs a lot so i figured i'd try to get some free eggs and have some new pets. I did a lot of research on coop designs and almost spent a lot of money on a coop but then i realized i could make one for free out of pallets. Luckily I have a place near my house where i can get pallets for free. I began tearing them apart and constructing a coop. It's not the prettiest looking coop but it will do the job and I like the look of a old beat up coop. And it was... read more

• Last updated 5/17/13 by woodsygal

Hi all, I'm sharing my coop photos. The coop is 5' x6' and the run is 3' by 8'. It currently houses 6 with a capacity of 8-10. I say 10 since the door to the run stays open in mild weather as it has hardware wire on all 6 sides. My chicks also get a few hours of free range time each day.   Aside from using plywood on the floor and roof, all of the wood is from reclaimed pallets. It still cost close to $300, the following is an approximate breakdown: Roof (2 sheets and end caps) $55 Plywood $30 Plexiglass for windows $20 Hardware Wire (36" x 50')... read more

• Last updated 5/16/13 by flrn

I have made some modifications to the design of the Red Roost Inn, such as adding a drop down door in the back, for easier cleaning, and revision of how the nesting box doors open.  We decided to begin building the coop at my father's house, and make each wall modular so that we could easily take it apart, and reassemble it once it was delivered home.  This worked out perfectly.  Everything fit in the back of the truck in one trip.  Once home, we began setting the posts, and reconstructing the walls once painted.  I raised the coop from the plans of 19" to 24" making... read more

• Last updated 5/16/13 by Bissel

This started out as a simple coop made from salvaged materials from around my home and a few items purchased from my local Habitat Re-Store.  It's my first attempt at a coop and like many others, there are several things that I would have done differently but it is what it is and has gone through a few different changes and upgrades along the way. I call it Chicken Coop version 4.25.   The latest additions have been the door on the front which makes it easier to replace the food and water instead of raising the roof and fighting back chickens trying to escape. I... read more

• Last updated 5/15/13 by dsbevis

We need suggestions for a coop name. We built this for our parents in Florida. We are having a hard time naming the coop. So if you have an clever ideas we would love to hear them. There are 4 silkies and 3 layers living in this new coop. Thanks                                   read more

• Last updated 5/15/13 by julierupert

  I purchased a coop (online) in March. Chicken grow! I had no clue it was going to be too small for only 3 chicken! I decided to build a portable chicken run to use as a play pen for the summer, until I could build (husband build) a larger coop.    So my "chicken run" design was super simple. We had a big wood box and used the boards as a base. They are heavy and sturdy but would need wheels to make portable. We didn't measure, we just nailed it together.    A trip to Lowe's and I came home with the following:     I never used the "T" or "X"... read more

• Last updated 5/14/13 by Chido

When we first got chickens, I bought a small -coop. We only had 3 hens, so the size was more than enough. Cue to 2 years later, we have a total of 8 chickens. Since the coop was too small and it was difficult to clean it, I decided to get a new one.   After looking at other pre-made coops, my budget, and browsing for DIY designs, I decided to follow the example of another BYC member and use a Rubbermaid 4.5 by 6ft horizontal shed as a coop. I found one that was big enough for my chickens, and the funny thing is that its color matches our house's.   We had a lot... read more

• Last updated 5/15/13 by supermaku

  My wife asked me to build her a chicken coop.  She loves eggs, but can't eat store bought ones anymore due to doctor's orders, but the doc said if we raised our own chickens she could eat those eggs.  So, I told her anything for you honey :)  We have 3 kids and live life on a budget, so the planning and saving of materials began.  She researched about raising chickens and I researched about building a coop.  This site was extremely helpful!  I do a little woodworking as a hobby, but not into construction.  I got a lot of recycled materials off of craigslist for... read more

• Last updated 5/13/13 by Katieleigh970

Describe 'Shannon's Homemade coop!' here   My mom and I built this coop from materials we picked up from our local recycling center (including the paint!) The entire thing cost less then $50 for us to build. Since the only purchases we made were the chicken wire, Old camper windows (which came from a junk yard), and of course the waterer and feeder. We are lucky to have a recycling center in our town where people drop of things they don't need/want like wood pieces, siding, used paint cans, roofing and so on, and then you can go and take what you want for free!... read more