Call me crazy, but solar was actually a LOT cheaper than running electricity to the coop from the house. We were literally less than 50 feet from an electrical source, and thought it wouldn't be a problem to run a line out there. However, after receiving two estimates, we were unwilling to pay that much. So I had DH set up a solar panel outside, and created a cabinet inside coop to house battery, inverter, etc. Works beautifully! And there is more than enough power for a light and a fan for summer or heater to keep water from freezing in winter!

Call me crazy, but solar was actually a LOT cheaper than running electricity to the coop from the house. We were literally less than 50 feet from an electrical source, and thought it wouldn't be a problem to run a line out there. However, after receiving two estimates, we were unwilling to pay that much. So I had DH set up a solar panel outside, and created a cabinet inside coop to house battery, inverter, etc. Works beautifully! And there is more than enough power for a light and a fan for summer or heater to keep water from freezing in winter!

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We have since added PVC feeders and BriteTap nipple waterers in both the run and coop. This was possibly the best thing we ever did. SO MUCH EASIER AND CLEANER!

We have since added PVC feeders and BriteTap nipple waterers in both the run and coop. This was possibly the best thing we ever did. SO MUCH EASIER AND CLEANER!

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I didn't like the pine shavings on the poop boards, so I tried sweet PDZ and scoop with a litter scooper. So much cleaner, easier, and has eliminated the majority of the smell. Highly recommend trying it. We also added PVC feeders and nipple waterers to help cut back on spills and mess.

I didn't like the pine shavings on the poop boards, so I tried sweet PDZ and scoop with a litter scooper. So much cleaner, easier, and has eliminated the majority of the smell. Highly recommend trying it. We also added PVC feeders and nipple waterers to help cut back on spills and mess.

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We chose to apron our wire out- it was a pain, but I'm so glad we did it this way- we have tons of predators in our area.

We chose to apron our wire out- it was a pain, but I'm so glad we did it this way- we have tons of predators in our area.

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We made our roosting poles the same height, as I heard ladder style roosts promote bickering about who gets the highest seats. I also liked the idea of being able to attach the food/water under the poop boards. So far, it is working extremely well.

We made our roosting poles the same height, as I heard ladder style roosts promote bickering about who gets the highest seats. I also liked the idea of being able to attach the food/water under the poop boards. So far, it is working extremely well.

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And here it is all completed! FINALLY! (Well, we still have a few things left to do, but at least it LOOKS finished!)

And here it is all completed! FINALLY! (Well, we still have a few things left to do, but at least it LOOKS finished!)

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We made the door, as it is smaller than a standard sized door. This allowed us to make a faux dutch door and add a little flare by cutting the sun into it.

We made the door, as it is smaller than a standard sized door. This allowed us to make a faux dutch door and add a little flare by cutting the sun into it.

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We made a faux dutch door opening on the top half of the door. This is covered with 1/2" hardware cloth, so we can leave it open for added ventilation. It works great!

We made a faux dutch door opening on the top half of the door. This is covered with 1/2" hardware cloth, so we can leave it open for added ventilation. It works great!

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Nesting boxes prop open. Had a difficult time making this part water tight. It kept leaking through the hinge. Finally achieved it by laying some rubber over the hinge, then laying shingles over it and trim board over other side. I think it looks even better that way because the hinge less noticeable now too! You might be able to see this in the next pic where lid is closed.

Nesting boxes prop open. Had a difficult time making this part water tight. It kept leaking through the hinge. Finally achieved it by laying some rubber over the hinge, then laying shingles over it and trim board over other side. I think it looks even better that way because the hinge less noticeable now too! You might be able to see this in the next pic where lid is closed.

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Some of the girls are still a little timid and won't get up on top roosts, so we have a temporary one set up until they are comfortable with the higher ones.

Some of the girls are still a little timid and won't get up on top roosts, so we have a temporary one set up until they are comfortable with the higher ones.

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This is a pull cord attached to pop door- works amazingly. DH ran it up the inside wall and through the soffit- sweet!

This is a pull cord attached to pop door- works amazingly. DH ran it up the inside wall and through the soffit- sweet!

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We chose to insulate, not as much to keep warm in the winter, but to keep cool in the summer. So far, I am SO glad we did this. It has been ridiculously hot the past few weeks, and the coop is wonderfully ventilated and stays at a very nice temp. You can also see, we are adding electrical wiring for later use. We are going to eventually add a solar panel- just for light, and maybe a method of heating their waterer (I have read about using a light bulb inside a cinder block and setting water container on top- but that is something for us to learn this winter!).

We chose to insulate, not as much to keep warm in the winter, but to keep cool in the summer. So far, I am SO glad we did this. It has been ridiculously hot the past few weeks, and the coop is wonderfully ventilated and stays at a very nice temp. You can also see, we are adding electrical wiring for later use. We are going to eventually add a solar panel- just for light, and maybe a method of heating their waterer (I have read about using a light bulb inside a cinder block and setting water container on top- but that is something for us to learn this winter!).

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Putting the siding on was a lot easier than I thought. You can see our house behind the coop... all of our out-buildings match the house (the barn, shop, shed, etc). So we wanted to match the coop to the house as well- hence the over-the-top design.

Putting the siding on was a lot easier than I thought. You can see our house behind the coop... all of our out-buildings match the house (the barn, shop, shed, etc). So we wanted to match the coop to the house as well- hence the over-the-top design.

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We put a ridge vent in roof and then vents along the side to help with circulation. Right now, we keep the windows open because it's so hot this summer. Guess we'll have to wait for winter to really see how our upper ventilation works out. The light of course, is not functional right now, as we do not have our solar panel set up yet.

We put a ridge vent in roof and then vents along the side to help with circulation. Right now, we keep the windows open because it's so hot this summer. Guess we'll have to wait for winter to really see how our upper ventilation works out. The light of course, is not functional right now, as we do not have our solar panel set up yet.

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DH working in the dark- when he gets on a roll, there's no stopping him!

DH working in the dark- when he gets on a roll, there's no stopping him!

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beyandle

Chateau de Chick

Shed-style coop with covered run attached.
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