A coop story

Chickies seen through the porch window ^


So. DH has finally decided that every coop suggestion I've made is worthless, and that he will not be satisfied unless he builds the coop. Since he doesn't know much about chickens, I have a great of design influence, but he insists on taking charge of such things as the way the water and snow will drain/fall off the roof, and how to position it so that despite it not having wheels, it won't need a permit. He builds houses for a living, so that seems fair. (We are building it on the end of the deck, with the run attached. This is a temporary location, and we'll have a permit for the permanent version.)

So far, a trip to the Depot:





Big expensive pile of hardware and roll of HW cloth are not pictured, but have been paid for.

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@Cryss has asked for an update, so here goes. DH continues to pretend to hate the chickies, and grumbles nonstop. However, construction is almost finished. Right now rain is the problem. We are lucky - no floods in our neighborhood. Not for want of trying. It’s coming down in buckets.

Coop is almost done. It’s 18 sq. ft. for 4 hens. The run, too, is almost done. About 6’ x 9 feet. This all opens into a somewhat secluded side yard.

You all might question the proximity of the coop to the house. I certainly do! This started out as permitting avoidance, but we have since gotten the town’s blessing. I expect the smell will convince us that this is, indeed, a temporary location. BUT! A window on our porch looks right down into the coop. That’s the perfect Chicken TV!

There’s more progress than the photos show - more pix coming soon. The chickies - er, pullets - can’t wait!


Apron excavation ^
By yours truly



DH and Sprocket, famed Chihuahua and carpenter’s assistant:


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We are closing in on the finish line!

The vents still need to be cut into the coop, some additional HW cloth added to the run, the apron needs to be finished, and the pop door is still a vision! I think I should line the interior of the run with pavers or big rocks, because I have a champion dust bather in the flock!

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I think it will be done tomorrow. My 8-week-Old pullets are SO ready!

More photos, still a coop in progress. The interior photos was taken through the window that looks into the coop.


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Move-in day! Poor DH worked his fingers to the bone, 3 weekends in a row, but it’s done and the girls are wandering around, trying to figure out what to make of it. A couple of days in the coop and they can try the run!