Reviews by karenerwin

It's great that you are expressing your thanks! It just doesn't belong in the learning center.

Interesting turkey coop.

Why did you use chicken wire on the ends? Aren't you worried about predators? They can tear through chicken wire. Also did you add any type of roost for the turkeys? How many turkeys will you keep in there? Will they free range or stay in the coop all day? Where did you put the food and waterers?

Great use of recycled materials! I read through your article twice, but I never saw where you mentioned what size coop you were making (length x width).
You mentioned where you got your initial plans but I did not try to go to that site to see if there was only one set of plans or if there were multiple different types of coops to choose from.

It looks like you used chicken wire on your coop/run. Chicken wire is very easy for raccoons to tear through.

I like your idea of using one of the nest boxes for storage. Did you include a way to close it off to the chickens? Just in case they didn't get the memo!

Thanks for sharing your coop. I hope you are enjoying your chickens!

If you are leaving them in it unsupervised then I would recommend that you use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire. Chicken wire does not keep many predators out because they can tear through it easily. Also, I do not see any place for water for the birds or any way for them to get out of the sun if they so choose.

Otherwise, I love the use of the training wheels!

While this is a neat idea to reuse something that is broken, I don't believe that this incubator would work for incubating eggs from start to finish. It may work in a pinch if the power goes out or something, but you don't have a way to maintain a steady temperature. Adding boiling water to a thermos would start you off at too high of a temperature and as the water cooled off the temp would drop. To successfully hatch eggs you need a way to maintain a steady temperature of 99 degrees.

What a cute little coop! I could build that using pallet wood.
I was disappointed that there wasn't more information about how to build it, so I could try to recreate it.

I like that you were able to get a lot of things free from Craig's list. What a good use for the roof of the treehouse (or whatever you said it was) that you used as the floor of the coop.
I got a giggle out of your description of how to open/close the door!
Even though you live in California, I am still concerned that you used chicken wire to cover the run. I am pretty sure that raccoons live in CA and I know there are cats and dogs that sometimes get out or roam around. Raccoons for sure don't have any problems tearing through chicken wire.

Thanks for sharing your coop with us.

Good job taking things into your own hands and learning how to build things!!
I honestly don't see the gaping whole in the roof that you are talking about.

Did you put any linoleum down to cover the floor? I've heard that makes clean up much easier. ( I plan to try it on my next coop)
I would like to see an updated picture of what it looks like completely finished!

It looks like an interesting brooder, but you don't provide enough information about it or how to make it.
What are the dimensions? Why is this a good brooder ( you kind of addressed this when you pointed out some of the features).

What a lovely coop and run your husband built! I like your color combination. It's a bummer for us less handy people that you don't have a plan or blue print for us to look at.
I think you did a great job on making sure it is well ventilated.
How many birds do you keep in there?
Is there anything that you would do differently?

Thanks for sharing your coop with us.

I like your idea of using a storage tote. I am concerned that you used chicken wire, raccoons can tear through that like nothing. A better choice would have been to use welded wire/hardware cloth.
I can see that you have the coop part tucked under palm fronds, however I am still concerned that it might get too hot inside because the coop is black which absorbs heat. Have you considered painting the outside a lighter color?
Did you put a roost inside the coop? The chickens would like one even if it is just a few inches off the floor.
Do you open the pop door by opening the top of the coop and then pushing the pop door out?

I also like your idea of using PVC pipes as the support for the run. I would imagine that makes the whole structure lighter and easier to move around. Make sure you check the zip ties. They deteriorate over time especially with a lot of exposure to sun! Also animals (mice and such) can easily chew through them.
I hope you are enjoying your chickens! Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Great article! Well written with wonderful directions and explanations. The pictures support what you are explaining very well!

Thanks for sharing your coop!

What cute touches with the off kilter white trim.

It looks like you used chicken wire on at least part of your coop. Chicken wire is NOT predator proof!! Hardware cloth would be more secure.
Is that insulation hanging down around the back of the nest boxes? Chickens aren't above eating that, causing problems for themselves.
It would be helpful to have either more pictures of the building process or detailed descriptions of what was done during the build. What are the dimensions of the coop?

Are there anythings you would do differently, if you were to build this coop again?
Thanks for sharing your coop with us.

Nice job making a brooder box out of what you had on hand. Good job explaining your process and backing it up with pictures.

I like the running list of materials and there cost and where you acquired them from! I like how you explained some of the details ( like the window hinges). Your pictures are nice and clear.

I would have liked to see details from the inside of the finished coop and run. I also would have liked a reflection about what you liked and didn't like about the coop after it was finished.

Thank you for sharing!

This looks like a very nice mobile coop, it just lacks information about materials needed and how to build it. Some details can be gleaned from the pictures. I like that you told your cost for building it. I like how the ramp pulls up and closes off the coop part.
Does the 5 gallon bucket make it nearly impossible to move the coop when it is filled with water?
What would you change if you were to build it again? How do you access the hanging food container? Does the top of the run part open?

Thank you for sharing your coop and your ideas!

Nice brooder for the first few weeks. After that it will be too small. You will be amazed at how quickly chicks grow! My hubby would be worried that the heat lamp would either melt the plastic or catch the diaper box on fire.
Also, I hope your bird eating cat hasn't figured out how to reach through the chicken wire to try to catch a chickie.

Well, I think this is the first coop that has used chicken wire that I don't think it will be a problem (unless you have a dog inside the house).

My curiosity is whether or not all the chicken dust and dander has become a problem?
I know from having chicks brood indoors that it can be a real dusty affair!! How has it been for you with this indoor coop?
I agree that it is super convenient to be able to feed, water and collect eggs without having to leave your own house!!
I am honestly concerned about respiratory issues for humans living in the house. Everything I have ever read says to be sure to use a mask when cleaning out your coop, but now you have brought all those airborne particles inside. I hope it hasn't become an issue for anyone!

Thanks for sharing you coop with us.

Good overview on what the book is about. I also like that you included the chapter headings.

I was really excited to learn how to build this, but you didn't go into enough detail for me to know what to do with all the parts!

Thank you for taking the time to write such a fabulous article! I love all the details, explanations, and pictures. This article should truly be able to help anyone that experiences a chick with a slipped tendon (or 2), or has a chick that has limited sight.
I had a chick with slipped tendons a few years ago and despite my efforts it did not work out as well for my chick. However, you did do some things that I did not try ( such as the sock sling).
Thanks again for a fabulous article!