Carolina in the Forest of Dean UK ?

[ROSEWOODCHICKS]

Hi All

I thought I would share some posts about the coop and run I am currently building to house our first flock of chickens!

Any advice or comments are welcome!

As inspired by many hours internet searching and finding pre built coops horrendous in terms of size and space, and as I am a DIY addict and making things from timber is my favourite pastime ... I thought lets go for it.

So the design is based around Carolina Coops American - it is 6m long and 1.8 m wide (20 x 6 feet approx), 1.8 m high to the eaves and 2.4 to the ridge (6 to 7 feet)

Made almost entirely from 2 x4's (95x45 mm)
Black metal box profile roof
Gutters down both sides and rain water collection for supply to chickens,
Built on railway sleepers and will have perimeter buried mesh skirt approx 1 meter out from coop and run
25mm x 25 mm black pvc coated galvanised mesh
18mm ply sides for the coop walls and floor,
one nest box with two cubicles (6 hens max) -
Painted in Protek Royal Exterior finish - 2 colours - hen safe!
flap lift up windows on all 4 sides of coop
drop down nest box door
drop down deep litter door
two larger side opening doors above deep litter door
Floor of run is filled with shredded (chipped) composting wood
6 Black Tail Hybrid Hens

I was thinking some form of nest box curtain ?
Also any suggestions for feeders ? (links to threads on the forum if known)
Longer term there will be an electric fence to allow them to free range when we can - Mr fox is a problem as we have a regular visitor!

I will post pics as it progresses so you may all virtually assist!

 

[woodworm]

Looks great - even though I built a similar coop I don't really have any advice and it certainly looks like you know what you're doing.

Your chickens are going to love those raised beds if they get to free range

 

[ROSEWOODCHICKS]

Looks great - even though I built a similar coop I don't really have any advice and it certainly looks like you know what you're doing.

Your chickens are going to love those raised beds if they get to free range

Thanks ! - I have learned a lot by studying other builds and having done lots of house renovations over the years. Roof has started to go on today - exciting times!

 

[ROSEWOODCHICKS]

A quick update on the build progress - Nest box done, clean out doors, windows, auto chicken run door and predator skirt ... just the main wire mesh to put up, the ramp and a few locks, bolts ...
Oh and the human door to the run to build and site somewhere along one side... oh and lastly the gutter downpipes and rain barrel and water feed system ...

 

[woodworm]

Good grief, it looks like you're finished already! Took me best part of a year to complete mine - and I don't like my nest box, I think it's the wrong dimensions but the chooks seem to like it.

Hope you're doing a build article for the coop section ...

 

[ROSEWOODCHICKS]

Good grief, it looks like you're finished already! Took me best part of a year to complete mine - and I don't like my nest box, I think it's the wrong dimensions but the chooks seem to like it.

Hope you're doing a build article for the coop section ...

Thanks Woodworm! Pecking away (excuse the pun) evening and early mornings ... just completed the initial build of the human door this morning .. needs painting and fixing etc ..
Re nest box, I will ONLY have 6 chickens at a time, so went for a two bay nest box ..

Also for those that say you cannot pocket hold fix 2x4's or 3x4's they are wrong .. I use a simple cheap trend jig and as long as you set it properly at the correct distances you can fix easily .. may set a separate post in the coop build thread ... makes framing doors / windows etc really easy and quick ..

 

[ROSEWOODCHICKS]

Good grief, it looks like you're finished already! Took me best part of a year to complete mine - and I don't like my nest box, I think it's the wrong dimensions but the chooks seem to like it.

Hope you're doing a build article for the coop section ...

I have just found the link to your - AMAZING! well done.... given me some great ideas for mine