New coop for Furryfeathers Farm

So I started with my old coop (empty about 15 years). 5x8 or so.
Got a few hens, then a few more. Enlarged the run, got a few more.

Finally decided that while selling eggs is fun, I would LOVE to sell hatching eggs and baby chicks, so we needed a way to separate breeds occasionally at least.

At this point, a friend who raced pigeons passed away. His widow tried to sell his racing pigeon loft, but was unsuccessful.
I asked how much, she told me if I could get it moved, it was mine.

$600 later (moving costs) plus several trips to prepare the building, and finally it's here!







Interior is divided into 4 sections, each one 12' x 6'. Each has it's own window and door on the eastern side, and we are adding windows on the western side.
The run is being built, 30' x 40', with 2 feet of sheet metal, the 4' of wire fencing.
Hoping next month to add poultry netting over the top.

The birds have been free ranging during the day, but will be confined for the time being, with some breeds staying confined until we get the pen set into several runs.

Interior is pretty simple, with perches and poop boards. Nest boxes not added yet, but birds are still mostly in the other building until the run is finished (hoping to get a good bit of it done tomorrow).

That looks like a great set up. I use my shed as a coop and i think that they are far better than the small coops that one can buy - give a lot more flexibility.

RE: selling baby chicks - I feel that chicks should be vaccinated if you wish to sell them, so you may wish to consider the costs of vaccinating a small number of chicks. I vaccinated my last hatch, but the costs of the vaccines (lowest unit cost of vaccines here in Kenya is for 100 birds) means that I am selling them at a loss as i only had 9 chicks. Just thought i'd share my experience.

All the best
CT

CTKen said:

That looks like a great set up. I use my shed as a coop and i think that they are far better than the small coops that one can buy - give a lot more flexibility.

RE: selling baby chicks - I feel that chicks should be vaccinated if you wish to sell them, so you may wish to consider the costs of vaccinating a small number of chicks. I vaccinated my last hatch, but the costs of the vaccines (lowest unit cost of vaccines here in Kenya is for 100 birds) means that I am selling them at a loss as i only had 9 chicks. Just thought i'd share my experience.

All the best
CT

Click to expand...

Best part about the shed was the price! And of course the fact that it is already sectioned.
Already has windows on the one side, and the ventilators, and has some wiring done.

I'm torn on vaccinations. Many people prefer their chicks not vaccinated, for whatever reason. I do not plan to offer that unless I am hatching a LOT more than I plan to at this time.

Ooooooo Sweet!!!

Need pics of inside when you get a chance.

aart said:

Ooooooo Sweet!!!

Need pics of inside when you get a chance.

Click to expand...

So far inside is pretty much as it came.
4 sections with sliding doors between them.
Each section has a window, a vent at floor level, and a door at floor level.

A frame that was for pigeon nest boxes, which they are perching on for now.
I plan to make that the poop board, and add perches above it.

Nest boxes are still up in the air, I have a couple of plastic kitty litter tubs and may screw those to the wall with support under them.

Biggest question is, water inside or out. Much easier and less messy to clean and refill if outside, and Georgia temps aren't that ridiculous.

Pen is almost done.
30'x 40', with 2' of solid metal, topped by 4' of 2" x 4" welded wire.
Will be adding poultry netting in December, but it is getting there!

I'm looking for hydrated line to try making whitewash. Want to add a fresh coat and make things pretty.

I will try to get divider pics soon.