Reviews by rosemarythyme

Really great open air build appropriate for a hot climate, and proof that a coop does not need to be a tightly enclosed box, nor does a coop have to be a distinct and separate unit from the run. It's simple but does the job of providing shelter and protection from the elements and predators. Having the hardware cloth outside the plywood enclosure was a smart choice - yes it cost a little extra, but as you noted it added extra security and made it possible to have the walls not fit seamlessly together.

Great info, especially for folks starting out with chicks for the first time.

I'm a fan and also use this on my coop floor to waterproof and seal. Does take some preplanning due to cure time and advised temperature/climate conditions for application, but results so far have been good. I've use a metal rake, shovel and paint scraper on the fully cured surface and no signs of damage or peeling.

I like the use of cardboard in this setup - easy to source, alter, replace as needed. As the chicks grow it's simple to just make the panic door holes larger. And because of the L shape of the brooding area, hens can't just put their heads in and get to the chick feed.

I have no interest in breeding but this was a fascinating read. It's amazing to see how genetics work, and how certain combinations of genes can produce harmful results without ever affecting the parent animal.

Boy a lot of thought went into this build, from how to get the previously sloped location to work for a coop, to all the finishing touches. Great ventilation in the coop, up high where it's most beneficial. The run looks very solid. All the space looks very usable and safe for the chickens.

Fantastic details in the article too with brands and sizes of specific items named, plus lots of photos, which I'm sure will help some do-it-yourself-ers in the future! I love too that the writer notes what changes he'd make if he had to do it all over again, as this information is also useful to someone looking to improve their own build.

I love the story and history behind this old shed and seeing the before and after photos. And I appreciate the diagram showing how the entire shed and coop are oriented, as it's hard to tell from only photos.

The poop cleanout under the roost is a thumbs up - it's a functional addition and takes advantage of materials already on hand.

I would like to see even more details and photos for the coop itself (as this is BYC), such as the dimensions of both coop and run and location of ventilation for the coop. The windows appear to be glass only, are there air vents elsewhere? Also since it's mentioned that predators are a concern, I would suggest considering adding additional smaller opening wire mesh to the welded wire already in place, as rats and weasels (and chipmunks) can easily fit through the larger openings, even with the extra fencing in place.

Cute little coop. The photos are obviously of construction so I'm sure more finishing is in the works, like getting the plastic covered insulation boarded up, and general clean up of course.

There's little things that could be improved on for functionality and safety. The rungs on the roost for example are too close together and the ladder too steeply sloped, so birds on lower roosts can get pooped on by ones roosting above. I do like that the roost is hinged though. The fact that the door swings inward is a little troublesome since it is set at floor level, as it'll push anything in the arc of it (like bedding and chickens) around. As I see that this coop is in a location with very cold winters, I understand the need for electricity and heat, but I'm wondering how safe that heat lamp is due to proximity to a wood ceiling, as the body of these units can get quite hot.

Love the different colors inside and out, it might not make a difference to the chickens but at least it's something you can enjoy. Looks easy to clean too. Sounds like you've taken your climate into consideration with the orientation of the structure and insulation.

Would've loved to see a diagram of how the overall build is laid out - is the central "building" storage? Are there doors or an internal hall to each pen? Do the pens each sit behind a false front or is that strictly for show?

I enjoyed the intro of how you educated yourself about chickens and their needs.

The brooder is fantastic and having it in two halves means a larger group of chicks can be separated for easier management, or you could even have two age groups at the same time.

I like some of the details in this coop, like the combo pop door/cleaning access door and the under roost poop catching box. Really, really wish this article came with larger photos as I would love to see that in more detail!

I assume the brooder lamp inside the coop is for heat in the winter? I would urge caution in using it as a regular fixture as it is a fire hazard. Would love to see more details about ventilation since I can only see the one window, hopefully there's some directly under the roof line as a lack of ventilation could really amp up humidity inside the coop during winter, which can lead to frostbite (assuming the coop is located in a climate where cold is an issue). Not sure about the practicality of outside egg boxes but I am curious if hens would actually use them, and if weather would make it a bad idea?

(As I don't have ducks this review is mainly focused on the chicken coop.)

The tones of the recycled wood gives these coops a beautiful, rustic effect while saving a lot of money and saving wood from being tossed out. So thumbs up on that!

The layout appears to be fairly functional as well for a small flock, however I am concerned about ventilation with a build like this... even if those side windows are wire mesh instead of glass, it's still a minimal amount of ventilation. I'd rather see some slots left open towards the roofline as well, or maybe a small window on another side, to capture some cross breeze.

The roof is also an issue since snowfall was mentioned. In an area with very little or no precipitation a flat roof might be something you can get away with, but any decent rainfall or snow will be problematic on a flat roof. The slanted roof seen on the duck coop is a better option.

Looks like cost and perhaps weight of the unit was a concern, but I would've loved to see something larger than 1x2s in parts of the structure for extra strength, as coops always end up heavier than first estimated.

Ventilation seems to be adequate for the size of the coop, assuming the louvered window is completely open with only wire mesh behind it. Same goes for the smaller slots near the top of the other sides.

The pop door could possibly use more secure hardware if raccoons are a concern, though a small padlock or even a carabiner could be used to do that.

I don't see mention of a roost. Placing one could be a little difficult in this set up if trying to avoid a draft going past the chicken's heads.

This coop and run had a lot of thought placed on layout and yard placement. Indoor storage area is a plus. Having vents high up is ideal, though I'd personally want to put in even more on the chicken side at least. The double doors are a great idea - might not ever need it, but it's there if you do.

I appreciate all the details in this article, from how a coop builder on a budget can save money from buying unwanted paint and browsing garage sales, to climate and wind concerns in the area.

Nice solid coop with great windows for light and ventilation with large overhangs to ward off rain. Only detail missing in the article is overall dimensions, and if the coop was in fact movable as intended using the skids.

I wonder if there was any issue with rain seeping into the top of the nest box, as it appears there's a small opening on the side of the lid? I'm also curious as to what the rectangular opening across from the egg box is? Maybe a cleanout door to easily push used bedding out of the coop?