I used BYC a lot for ideas for the coop and run, but unfortunately I didn't have the foresight to cite anyone. Apparently foresight is not my strong suit, because I neglected to take progress photos while building my coop and run as well.
I started off with a coop from craigslist and soon realized that it needed alteration, specifically enlarging. So, I raised the roof about 18" and converted it into a green roof with succulents on top, built an external egg box and primed and painted. Again, I was inspired by photos and ideas that I saw on here - such a terrific resource!
The next step was to build the run. I framed each of the four walls, sealing and attaching the hardware cloth (leaving 18" for a skirt at the bottom) while still flat on the ground. After all of the walls were finished, my husband and I attached them to each other atop the foundation made of cement pavers. Next step: the roof. I just used 2x4's and clear corrugated roofing sheets. I worked myself up trying to come up with the best method for cutting the sheets, as they only seem to come in 8' and 12' lengths (I needed 10') - no need, folks, just use scissors!
After reading various opinions, I decided on a hardware cloth skirt around the perimeter, rather than burying it. I put heavy pavers on top of the skirt and covered it all with wood chips.
I used soup and coffee cans (with drilled drainage holes) that I planted with chicken "treats" and nailed them to the outside corner, so that we can snip a few greens as we visit the hens.
I was inspired by a run I saw BYC that provided a box inside the run planted with clover and covered with hardware cloth; I had an existing planter along the back of the run that I divided into three sections: sandbox for "baths" in one, scratching dirt in the other, and a section with lawn covered with a frame I made using hardware cloth - the idea being that the chickens can eat the grass poking through without scratching and tearing up the roots, so it will last a bit longer.
Anyway, we'll see how this whole chicken raising thing goes!
I started off with a coop from craigslist and soon realized that it needed alteration, specifically enlarging. So, I raised the roof about 18" and converted it into a green roof with succulents on top, built an external egg box and primed and painted. Again, I was inspired by photos and ideas that I saw on here - such a terrific resource!
The next step was to build the run. I framed each of the four walls, sealing and attaching the hardware cloth (leaving 18" for a skirt at the bottom) while still flat on the ground. After all of the walls were finished, my husband and I attached them to each other atop the foundation made of cement pavers. Next step: the roof. I just used 2x4's and clear corrugated roofing sheets. I worked myself up trying to come up with the best method for cutting the sheets, as they only seem to come in 8' and 12' lengths (I needed 10') - no need, folks, just use scissors!
After reading various opinions, I decided on a hardware cloth skirt around the perimeter, rather than burying it. I put heavy pavers on top of the skirt and covered it all with wood chips.
I used soup and coffee cans (with drilled drainage holes) that I planted with chicken "treats" and nailed them to the outside corner, so that we can snip a few greens as we visit the hens.
I was inspired by a run I saw BYC that provided a box inside the run planted with clover and covered with hardware cloth; I had an existing planter along the back of the run that I divided into three sections: sandbox for "baths" in one, scratching dirt in the other, and a section with lawn covered with a frame I made using hardware cloth - the idea being that the chickens can eat the grass poking through without scratching and tearing up the roots, so it will last a bit longer.
Anyway, we'll see how this whole chicken raising thing goes!
