Here is our Gypsy Wagon Coop
After considering a number of designs, we decided that building one that looked like a Gypsy wagon gave us unlimited exterior design options - nothing was off limits. We contacted Chicken Coop Mansions and gave Matthew our initial design. He built the basic structure, erected it on site and we have tweaking it and painting it ever since. We are still adding to at, shutters are currently being worked on.
The coop measures 6'x10' at the base and about 1 foot wider at the top. The interior ceiling tops out at 8'. I wanted to be able to store supplies and such inside so we built an interior vestibule which also gives us access to the nest boxes from inside the coop without actually entering their space. The front door to the coop also has 2 halves, this gives us the option to leave the upper half open during hot days for a lot of added ventilation. Speaking of ventilation, 3 windows offer 7 sq ft, I have drilled 6 - 4" holes which are covered with hard wire cloth and the 3/4" space between the metal roof and support beams is also open at the top.
I built a large run - 16'x24' with a congregated metal roof. Hard wire cloth covers the whole run and is also attached to the outside of the wood fence, we also covered the whole ground with it before spreading a 4" layer of river sand in the run.
We have started out with 8 chicks, 6 are full size and 2 Silkies. Our town allows 6 chickens per their ordinance, I figured that we may be lucky to have 6 left after they all "sex" out.
