rockranchchickens
Chirping
- Apr 19, 2009
- 4
- 7
- 64
I used a shed framing kit as shown here: https://www.ebay.com/p/3005013936?iid=174428169154As I am sure you are aware, I am such a newby to the chicken arena that I haven’t even gotten my first chicken yet! I have been studying coops. Now, since I am just beginning, isn’t it okay if I purchase a cute little coop, or do you really have to build one?? Honestly, I would much rather buy one! A builder I ain’t!! And, I would like to the the beginning of this new adventure as simple as possible for me! Now, since I have all that outta the way, which brand is best?
I hope I am not becoming a bother! I want to be successful when I do actually get a chicken! And thank you for all of your help!
I built it with corrugated flashing attached to the bottom edge and extending 18" in to the ground and a composting floor similar to what Harvey Ussery describes in his book: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Scale-Poultry-Flock-All-Natural-Approach/dp/1603582908
Composting floors are very easy maintenance and the chickens love the bugs that the compost produces. Any time I have a whiff of ammonia, I just throw in some more hay. Once a year, I scrape out the compost, and put down fresh hay.
Saw a research article from the 1930's or 1940's that showed chicks raised in composting floor henhouses survived better.
The corrugated flashing to to keep anyone from digging into the hen house.
I used 1/4 inch hardware cloth. I live near the coast in Washington State so I wasn't worried about the chickens getting cold. I put in lost of cross supports. No artificial light in the winter to give the chickens a rest. Free range in the yard during the day. My rooster lived to be 15; I was in the hospital and the house sitter forgot to close the door one night. All of my hens lived to be at least 8, and several lived to be 12 years old.