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HELP!! I am in over my head I think!!

post #1 of 19
6/30/12 at 1:06pm
Thread Starter 

I could really use some help.   I have wanted chickens for a long time.  I finally cleaned out and took down the old rotting potting shed that I had in the backyard.

 

I looked through tons of designs and thought I would just come up with my own, based on what I have seen and liked.  I want to build a coop to hold about 6-8 chickens with an enclosed run.  It is going to be attached to my shed in the back yard.

 

I am suddenly feeling overwhelmed before I even start and am wondering if I am going to be able to do this.

 

I don't know if I should build the run first and then build the coop into it, or build the coop first, then build the run around it.

 

How do I incorporate the hardware cloth?  We have a lot of predators up here where I live in NH. 

 

Help!  Talk me down!

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post #2 of 19
6/30/12 at 1:13pm

Take your time, have fun with it.  If you make a mistake, so what,  It's part of the fun of raising chickens. Nothing and on one will be hurt by a mistake right now because you don't have your chickens yet.  Try a few things a few things, re-try a few things.  Learn as you go, it's all part of the fun of raising chickens.  Relax, chill, and have fun.

 

yippiechickie.gifya.gifwee.gifcelebrate.gif

yippiechickie.gifOne Wife - Two Sons - Five Grandkids - Three Dogs - Two Cats - Twenty-Three Chickensyippiechickie.gif

One Buff Orpingtons - Two Brown Leghorns - One Lavender Orpington - Two Old English Game

One Red Sex-Links - One Silver Laced  Wyandotte - One White Rock - Four Easter Eggers

 One Gold Laced  Wyandotte - One Cochin Cock - Nine Cochin Mix Chicks

 

.- And Some Gophers Messing Up My Yard -

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yippiechickie.gifOne Wife - Two Sons - Five Grandkids - Three Dogs - Two Cats - Twenty-Three Chickensyippiechickie.gif

One Buff Orpingtons - Two Brown Leghorns - One Lavender Orpington - Two Old English Game

One Red Sex-Links - One Silver Laced  Wyandotte - One White Rock - Four Easter Eggers

 One Gold Laced  Wyandotte - One Cochin Cock - Nine Cochin Mix Chicks

 

.- And Some Gophers Messing Up My Yard -

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post #3 of 19
6/30/12 at 9:11pm

I started with my coop first. Not really sure why. I don't think it make much difference.

3 young Silkies, 1 Brittany bird dog, 1 Chihuahua mix, a ferrel kitty and me!

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3 young Silkies, 1 Brittany bird dog, 1 Chihuahua mix, a ferrel kitty and me!

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post #4 of 19
6/30/12 at 9:30pm

if you go look at my pics i built my own nothing fancy just a throught together cost about 175 for all the wood and paint and chicken wire. first time build for 6 chickens now i am about to double it for 10 more for a total of 16 chickens

FLEW-DA-COOP  THE ROOSTER MAY RULE THE ROOST BUT THE HENS RULE THE ROOSTER

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FLEW-DA-COOP  THE ROOSTER MAY RULE THE ROOST BUT THE HENS RULE THE ROOSTER

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post #5 of 19
6/30/12 at 10:00pm

Not sure of your skills, but lets look at your location.

NH needs more shelter than run.

Start with the coop.

 

Glad you're using hardware wire, don't forget to protect from digging predators, and put a buried lay too. You can use buried chicken wire covered with gravel...a couple of layers is best.

You can attach it with U nails or screws with washers...I use both!

 

You can do it!

Just plan it out out, draw it out, think it through!

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post #6 of 19
7/9/12 at 7:52pm
Thread Starter 

Thank you to all of you that have responded.  Things around here have been busy, (I am babysitting my mother's dog while she is on vacation).  Tomorrow the wood will be delivered that I bought to make the coop.  I've decided to go with the plan on the Purina Mills Website.  It seemed do-able from my layman carpenter's perspective and seems to fit the needs right now.  I figure if I need more space next year, I will build another or add on to this one.

 

I am hoping to have the coop complete by early next week and then hopefully start finding some chicks.  It has taken all of my willpower to not respond to the Craigslist ads now and get the chicks and keep them in a makeshift coop until the big one is done. :)

 

I have a slight feeling that hubby does not think that I can make the coop by myself (although he would never say so).  He was contemplating spending $600 on a coop we saw at a local grain store!  I can't justfy that since I KNOW I can build the coop and the wood only cost me about $130.

 

I will post pics as soon as I have something to report!

 

Thanks again everyone!!

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post #7 of 19
7/10/12 at 10:43am

We built the Purina Mills coop and we love it. We made a few modifications. Kuddos to you for giving it a go on your own!  For what it's worth, we built the coop first, put it in it's permanent spot and then built the run onto it.   My one piece of advise is to make sure and cover the top ventilation with hardware cloth as soon as you put your chicks in.  First time chicken owners, we learned the hard way and lost our first hens to a weasel.:(

I think that coop holds 4 hens comfortably....even though I think the plans say you can put 8.  Just my humble opinion.  We may be adding on next year as I would love to have more.

I agree with the first poster though....take your time and plan it out the way you want it.  Relax and have fun with it.  And most importantly keep researching here as you go.  This place is a wealth of really great info!

Please keep us updated, and post pics!

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post #8 of 19
7/10/12 at 3:31pm

What part of NH do you live in?  If you live close enough to me I might be able to help, but I must say that it will most likely take the two of you to get through the framing part.

We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

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We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.

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post #9 of 19
7/10/12 at 4:24pm
Thread Starter 
So far so good. He helped me out a bit and I was able to get the floor done this afternoon. We'll work more on it tomorrow. With any luck we can get the framing done tomorrow and I can finish the rest on Thursday or Friday. Thanks so much for your offer to help though! I really appreciate it!

The first board was the hardest and most intimidating. I must say I am much more confident now.
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post #10 of 19
7/10/12 at 4:44pm

some things from our coop building experience...

the roost is more important that we gave it credit for.  that is by far where they spend the majority of their time (in our case anyway).  so, get the height right & give it space so your chickens have enough room in front of them and behind them that they're comfortable. 

i've discovered chickens have their own "pecking order" (imagine that).  so two roosts allow those who are on the low end of the totem pole to move out of the way when they find themselves up against their nemesis when it's time to bed down.  my roosts are parallel and about 14" apart.  they jump back and forth between the roosts until everyone is in the spot they want to be for the night.  then peace decends.

 

i admire you for taking on the construction yourself.  hope you really enjoy the whole chicken thing.  i know i do.

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