$200++, a few good tools and a fine weather coop

View attachment 1477089 View attachment 1477039 View attachment 1476106 View attachment 1476100 View attachment 1476091 My hubby was not keen on getting chickens. We have 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 horses, 6 grown kids and 4 grandkids. So we have our hands full and chickens were going to be another chore and cost for people about to retire. But I married me a super fun and flexible man and he was willing to humor me... or maybe I just wore him down... I dono.
I needed to build my coop cheap and it would have to fit in the back of my garden (my little area) and right on the propertyline that we share with my son. Because of the tight space I had to build it in place, pretty annoying navigating through my small garden. It helped costs to be in the tropics -all about the ventilation- plus us having leftover materials from our home build and then scavenging old roofing tin from my son. My cost was under $200 at first but with my additions, like the run, it is more like $300+ now.
I worked on the coop only a few days enjoying designing while working at my own pace. Day one was the footprint I used 2x6's @ 3'6" x 8' that was all of the space I had to squeeze into at that time. Then I set the corner posts by screwing untreated 2x4's end to end x4 thus making my corners. I then decided my height. Comfortable standing entrance in the front and sloped for watershed, shade and privacy. I did not care what my pitch was more than I just marked it 7' front and 5'5" in back, grabbed my level and drew in my line and there it was. I cut in place and I now had my angle. I cut rafters and top plates on the table saw, then added a few more studs spaced at 4' for bracing then support. My husband got thrown from his horse and ended up with some timeout to mend broken ribs and scapula. So, I picked up my first 2 chicks and hurried my progress along while he iced, recovered and chick sat under our orange tree. I then wrapped the structure with chicken wire... I confess, I was challenged at this part but I got it done. Next was the tin roof. I used an old blade and a wormdrive skillsaw to cut to size, it cut easy enough the first half, then the blade dulled further and it skreeeeetched something terrible and I wished I had ear protection on, that was the worst part next to the wire. I then added my front overhang, I wanted to come out as far as I could but again was limited with space. I made my corbels first, cut @ a 10 degree angle, then my fashia, then my tin. It was all surprisingly fun and easy.
Our 2 chicks quickly turned into 5, one turning roo, now WE are looking for 2 more... I quickly added my nesting box and then a small run/sand/scratch box that now lets out into our 8x20 run under the bananas and papaya trees. View attachment 1444576 View attachment 1444581 View attachment 1444582
Building the coop was part of my bonding with the now young chickens and I really enjoyed it all. The run is awesome for mornings till later noon, they don't have many predators only admirers and now that they are bigger, they are allowed to wander the yard freely in the eves. I'm still working on it with a new manual pulley system drawgate for the scratchbox and a added on retractable wall for stormy weather to their nesting boxes. That way I can secure them in when the weather is super wild and keep it open in fine weather. My husband makes fun of me for constantly putzing around with the chickens and their coop but I am absolutely hooked. I think everyone should have chickens, absolutely great for the heart and soul. Mahalo for looking. View attachment 1444597