Constructive criticism please

[IdyllwildAcres]

I like that you are using what you have available instead of spending scads of money. Reuse, repurpose, recycle. Your shelf unit will make nice nest boxes. You will want to close in the sides/back of the boxes to hold the bedding in. They should have a 4 inch lip across the front, as well as a perch of sorts so the birds can step from the perch into the nest box. That will prevent a lot of eggs. Each box should be a minimum of 12 x 12 x 12", but bigger is ok also. Some people even build community nests where a bunch of chickens can all climb in and have a hen party. Keep in mind that chickens seek out a fairly dark and secure looking place to lay their eggs. That will help you to close in the front of the boxes appropriately.

It would be helpful if you gave more details: Where do you live (general location for help with climate related advice). How much snow do you get in the winter? What is your average summer and winter climate/temp like? Do you have a dog who would patrol your yard for predators?

As PP stated, predators will be your biggest issue. A tarp will not stop any predator with teeth. A weasel will climb through any hole you could push a quarter through, and will kill an entire flock of birds in a single night just for the fun of it. Other predators are great diggers, so... a buried skirt around your kennel would be necessary.

You can find lots of free building materials simply by being a creative shopper: Call some carpenters. You may be able to get their building scraps, or remodeling debris that still has lots of life left in it. I can get lots of free windows every spring by visiting my town dump on a weekend. Other building materials are hit or miss there. My coop has lovely thermopane windows, and a full thermopane glass door, (metal, complete with dead bolt.) thanks to my town dump. Roofers often have 4' wide x varying lengths of ply wood left over from their roofing jobs. Habitat for humanity store often has lots of stuff that will help you to complete your build with minimal expense. Perhaps you can find a used dog house or small shed to provide predator proof coop, while using the kennel for a run.

Why didn't I get that memo? Lol, I put the last piece of wood on the outside of my coop yesterday, will finish it up just in time for chicks in two weeks

Gary

 

[lazy gardener]

Quote: Yay, Gary! Congrats on the completion of your build. Kudos to you for getting it done before the chicks show up! Truly an accomplishment.

And, I confess, when it comes to spending money on a coop that is way overbuilt, I have to hide under the table. My hubby is a designer, and while I would have designed much simpler, and had a soil floor, he insisted on building the Taj Mahal of chicken coops. But, Those free thermopane windows and door certainly put a nice finishing touch on my coop, and they make those winter temps much more tolerable. My coop will never be finished. I'm always tweaking it here and there. Today, I was eyeing a corner where I've had a broody cage. (I built it in hinged panels so it could be taken down when not in use.) My favorite pullet has claimed a hay bale in that corner, and looks like she may be constructing a new nest. I'm toying with the idea of putting some eggs there, and seeing what she'll do with the situation. If I add an other pop door, that will make a fantastic brooder with direct access to the run!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Yay, Gary! Congrats on the completion of your build. Kudos to you for getting it done before the chicks show up! Truly an accomplishment.

And, I confess, when it comes to spending money on a coop that is way overbuilt, I have to hide under the table. My hubby is a designer, and while I would have designed much simpler, and had a soil floor, he insisted on building the Taj Mahal of chicken coops. But, Those free thermopane windows and door certainly put a nice finishing touch on my coop, and they make those winter temps much more tolerable. My coop will never be finished. I'm always tweaking it here and there. Today, I was eyeing a corner where I've had a broody cage. (I built it in hinged panels so it could be taken down when not in use.) My favorite pullet has claimed a hay bale in that corner, and looks like she may be constructing a new nest. I'm toying with the idea of putting some eggs there, and seeing what she'll do with the situation. If I add an other pop door, that will make a fantastic brooder with direct access to the run!

Thanks, it has been a lot of work, and a lot of money! My 3 windows (metal clad outside/wood inside) while not purchased for the coop were still expensive! They were a $1200 mistake when we built our house and have been in the attic of the garage for 8 years waiting for a place to hang. I read and re-read coop threads for months before breaking ground, and hopefully I have benefited from others experience and mistakes. The dirt floor, 12' ceilings, 2 skylights and 3 opening windows AND 3 big open panels should provide more than adequate ventilation. I will do a coop build page before the chicks arrive

Gary

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

It's been painted some more since that pic

 

[lazy gardener]

That's not a coop, that's a house.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

That's not a coop, that's a house.

Lol, well sorta

I can't wait to get busy inside, roll out nest boxes, in-coop brooder/chicken jail/ isolation area.. Hay loft....

Its been fun, but a distraction we have another project that needs finishing,,,

Gary

 

[michaelf1478]

Not exactly on Topic, But I'm In Mid GA too and we're working on DIY Coops and boxes as well. So I'm following for ideas!

Ohh cool. I. Guessing by your name your in Macon?? I'm in twiggs. Im a fireman in Macon. What type of chickens do you have??

 

[michaelf1478]

That is awesome idyll!!! It dose look more like a house lol. I went with another idea on mine. It's roughly 8x30. Has a tin roof and wire around the whole pin. It's about 12 ft high. Im gonna put some siding on it tomorrow about 3 feet off the ground. The wire is also buried some to help keep the diggers out. I have a fairly large homemade dog house inside was wondering if I could just fill it with pine straw and have 1 huge nest?? Also still gonna run some electric fence on the outside for extra predator protection.

 

[MaconMommy5]

Ohh cool. I. Guessing by your name your in Macon?? I'm in twiggs. Im a fireman in Macon. What type of chickens do you have??

I used to be. Now I'm in Jones. More towards Monticello. Right now I have 7 RIR, And 4 Aracuna chicks. I have 3 RIR Eggs in the Incubator, Plus 11 Americuna's. And I'm starting a huge Hatch This weekend with a mix of breeds.

 

[michaelf1478]

​I used to be. Now I'm in Jones. More towards Monticello. Right now I have 7 RIR, And 4 Aracuna chicks. I have 3 RIR Eggs in the Incubator, Plus 11 Americuna's. And I'm starting a huge Hatch This weekend with a mix of breeds.

Ohh ok. You still aren't to far away. Seems like you know your way around the farm,may have to use you as a crutch being I'm a newbie lol. I'm planning on getting my first chickens really soon ( hopefully today) got a few minor things I need to do in the coop first.