Okay my very ugly and sad looking coop. I welcome suggestions on fixing it up. It ONLY needs to last us until next Spring. At that point we will decide which way we will go with our chickens. We will always have ducks- we have a pond and we just uncovered (this whole property was in disrepair and weed overgrowth was insane) a lovely patio BY the pond (a week ago) so I cannot imagine not seeing them out there now! 2 weeks until we get to let them out on the pond. :D
So here is what I have to work with for JUST this year. If we decide to lean towards the chickens for eggs - we will build a new large coop. If we decide to keep the flock fairly small- we will build a new small coop. Plus it will give us the chance to read through designs and pick what design would work best for us and our needs once we decide what they are.
(that's my oldest son) It's an 8x8. I will be making an all new door weekend after this one. Myself- or at least as much by myself as I can manage. I am not known for my outdoor abilities. But this chicken 'project' is all mine. My personal money from my my business paid for the chickens, I'll be paying for the feed and supplies needed and I will be attempting (with dh help) to fortify the excisting coop, make a new door and new lay boxes.
I will be making lay boxes that I can re-use next year when we build the new coop. Nothing wasted eh? Door too! :P
I will be digging up the floor a bit as it's been in disuse for likely a long long time. Leggy weeds have take hold. I did find a layer of mesh wire IN the dirt so I assume the previous owner knew their chicken stuff and was keeping out coons and possums etc. Should I dig that up and lay down new? I think I will also be digging up fresh dirt from another part of the yard and putting it inside the coop...so I could always not dig up the old wire and just lay new wire down and then the fresh dirt?
My husband is uber handy and already has a door design for me. We are still trying to figure out the lay boxes but thinking of sticking to the basic design that is there but fresh materials- a little more support...and doesn't it need a ramp of some kind? I am looking at what is here and thinking...how the heck did those chickens get in those boxes? LOL
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I will be removing garbage, tarps, weeds, cobwebs...
My husband suggested- although not 'pretty' right now- to take some more of that aluminum (new stuff though from home depot. the roof and the back are covered with it) and put it all around the base for now to keep out predators. He said it would be a simple solution if I don't mind how it looks.
I welcome your inputs though! I'm almost embarrassed to show you where I will be housing my chickens- especially since I purchased from a reputable breeder. But I really want to start smart and start small. So 6 chickens, an old 8x8 coop is it until next year until we discuss our ducks, chickens and geese and decide which ones we want to have for what reasons. Which will tell us what kind of coop we will need, how big etc. :D
My babies will be here around 530-6pm tonight. EEK!
Edited by zooweemama - 6/7/12 at 11:19am
They're under a broody so I can't see anything, but I may hear something.... 
