My hubby and I decided that we wanted to have chickens, so we went to TS to buy some chicks. After getting the girls, we decided we needed a coop (probably a little backwards) 
Hubby is quite handy and has lots of tools so we decided to build a fabulous coop and run for our new chickies.
The size is 8' X 8' with a large A frame roof with shingles and a roof vent. Also has high ceilings for ventilation and standing room.
Our chicks are still pretty small so we currently have a heat lamp in the coop that turns on in the evening to keep them warm. My husband also built a removable A-frame roost that can be taken out and of the coop for cleaning.
We built two large barn-style doors (for humans) to enter the coop and the chicken run. We have framed out a spot in the run to add another door in the future. We also built a sliding door with a ramp for the chicks. On both sides are nesting boxes with tie-downs to prevent animals from getting in.
We decided the coop needed lots of light, so we added 4 windows next to the doors to increase natural light in the coop. There are an additional 4 windows that are covered with chicken wire and can be opened/closed to increase air flow.
As you will see from the pictures we also created a large run that is approximately 20' X 6'. Due to foxes, coyotes, owls and my very curious bird eating cat, we decided the chicken wire needed to go all the way around and dug trenches to allow the wire to go about 18 inches underground.
We built roosts outside in the run and have a fabulous area under the coop that is enclosed for the girls to enjoy during our summer heat (it's gets to up to 115 here in the summer). I'm fairly certain I will need to make some adjustments this summer and create some artificial shade to keep the temperatures bearable.
Hubby is quite handy and has lots of tools so we decided to build a fabulous coop and run for our new chickies.
The size is 8' X 8' with a large A frame roof with shingles and a roof vent. Also has high ceilings for ventilation and standing room.
Our chicks are still pretty small so we currently have a heat lamp in the coop that turns on in the evening to keep them warm. My husband also built a removable A-frame roost that can be taken out and of the coop for cleaning.
We built two large barn-style doors (for humans) to enter the coop and the chicken run. We have framed out a spot in the run to add another door in the future. We also built a sliding door with a ramp for the chicks. On both sides are nesting boxes with tie-downs to prevent animals from getting in.
We decided the coop needed lots of light, so we added 4 windows next to the doors to increase natural light in the coop. There are an additional 4 windows that are covered with chicken wire and can be opened/closed to increase air flow.
As you will see from the pictures we also created a large run that is approximately 20' X 6'. Due to foxes, coyotes, owls and my very curious bird eating cat, we decided the chicken wire needed to go all the way around and dug trenches to allow the wire to go about 18 inches underground.
We built roosts outside in the run and have a fabulous area under the coop that is enclosed for the girls to enjoy during our summer heat (it's gets to up to 115 here in the summer). I'm fairly certain I will need to make some adjustments this summer and create some artificial shade to keep the temperatures bearable.
