Don Gallina Makes His First Coop!
I've been wanting to get backyard chickens for a long time. I live in the city (Lima, Peru) with limited space, so I just wanted to build a coop that was big enough for 2-3 hens. After looking at many, many designs I settled on building a combination of these two designs:
Keep in Simple
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/basic-backyard-coop-keep-it-simple
I liked how this design utilized the 4x8 sheets of plywood to the fullest extent, and the coop was simple which made me think that I could actually build it. I followed the comments and wanted to add ventilation and a nest box.
Erinlee's Coop
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/erinlees-chicken-coop
I liked how this coop had the run beneath it and the wide open doors to facilitate cleaning.
I got to work on Google Sketchup and came up with this design:
The cuts for the 4x8 pieces of 1/2" plywood, 2x4's, and 2x2's was like this:
The frame looks like this:
The kids tried to help build.
It's hard to see, but there is a perch just above the door that runs lengthwise down the middle of the coop. There is a lockable door on the lower left side to keep them in the coop, but I think they will mostly be able to run free in the back yard.
And here are the pullets that I picked up from a local friend. His wife says that they are a cross between a "normal hen" and a "fighting cock".
Any comments or suggestions are more than welcome! This is my first attempt at backyard chickens, so wish me luck!
I've been wanting to get backyard chickens for a long time. I live in the city (Lima, Peru) with limited space, so I just wanted to build a coop that was big enough for 2-3 hens. After looking at many, many designs I settled on building a combination of these two designs:
Keep in Simple
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/basic-backyard-coop-keep-it-simple
I liked how this design utilized the 4x8 sheets of plywood to the fullest extent, and the coop was simple which made me think that I could actually build it. I followed the comments and wanted to add ventilation and a nest box.
Erinlee's Coop
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/erinlees-chicken-coop
I liked how this coop had the run beneath it and the wide open doors to facilitate cleaning.
I got to work on Google Sketchup and came up with this design:
The cuts for the 4x8 pieces of 1/2" plywood, 2x4's, and 2x2's was like this:
The frame looks like this:
The kids tried to help build.
It's hard to see, but there is a perch just above the door that runs lengthwise down the middle of the coop. There is a lockable door on the lower left side to keep them in the coop, but I think they will mostly be able to run free in the back yard.
And here are the pullets that I picked up from a local friend. His wife says that they are a cross between a "normal hen" and a "fighting cock".
Any comments or suggestions are more than welcome! This is my first attempt at backyard chickens, so wish me luck!
