Hillbilly ChicksI

Framing up the coop. The online plans called for 2x2 lumber, but I felt more comfortable with 2x4s in most places. The floor is OSB and the posts are green 4x4s.There seemed to be quite a few things left out of the plans, but they were free after all, and I probably wouldn’t have done any better. Besides, people are always going to change things anyway. For example, I made the coop 12 inches taller so that I could use the deep litter method.
Here is my pop door opening; 12 inches above floor level. The roofing is a little ragged. I intend to sand the edges later so that I don’t hurt myself, and touch them up with Rustoleum in green to keep them from rustingThe nesting box is as wide as I could make it and deeper than the plans called for in case I want to make it a roll out box. I haven’t partitioned it off, but if I do decide to do that, it will make three separate boxes. The lady who provided the plans said that her chickens use it as a community box. The opening that you see will be covered by two drop-down doors. (Below) The plans call for one long drop-down door, but I thought it might be useful to be able to open only half of the side wall at a time.View attachment 1508828The coop is done; now for the run.

In addition to the changes I mentioned above, I buried the posts because when we get a northwest wind, I sometimes worry the house could blow away. I added 1x12 removable boards behind the side doors to hold in the litter when I open the doors. I added a pop door to the pop hole to keep the baddies out at night. There was no guidance in the plans as to how many steps would be needed for the gang plank, but looking at it, I think I’m gonna add another between each one I’ve already got.

I ended up waiting so long to order my checks that I had to order a minimum of 15. The hatchery sent two extras, and they all look very healthy. I’m gonna need a bigger chicken coop. 8) I temporarily partitioned off the back half and put my little peeps in there with their “mama hen” heater and lots of bedding, fermented chick crumbles, soda pop bottles of ACV-infused water with chick nipples... all the (probably unnecessary but fun) gadgets.

I added a few shovelfuls of dirt with weeds here and there on top. Last time I looked, one of the little buff Orpington girls was scooting madly around the coop, worm in beak, with all the rest of the peeps in hot pursuit. They’re soooo funny! I <3 them all—cute little bugs.

The plans I used are titled: “DIY Chicken Coop Plans” and can be found at Natalie Dalpias’ site: TheCreativeMom.com http://www.thecreativemom.com/free-chicken-coop-plans/

Here’s a one of the inside and the babies.

It’s been a while and some things have changed so I figured I’d post an update since we completed the run (for now).



This one was taken a while ago before the grass around here started to go to bed for the winter. I strung nylon string in a woven pattern all over the top, then to make sure hawks would see it, tied marking tape here and there. Originally I wanted to put chicken wire overhead, but was afraid it would be caved in by snow. Well, we’ve had a few wet snow days and while it did collect and caused the strings to sag, a quick shake to the fence was all they needed to make them good as new. I used a LOT of string. I’ve seen hawks on several occasions flying over low and slow. The little chickens run under the coop, but I don’t think the hawks want to chance flying into such an encumbered space.

Meanwhile... I guess chickens are a gateway drug...



Here are my three lovely Scottish Highland girls. Cait (barely visible in the background) is the least friendly—hence her distance despite the presence of treats. The white one is Eden and her friend (the boss cow) is Brynn.



Here’s their winter crib for when/if they need/want it. Nearly done.

I’m going to use leftover materials to extend the chicken coop. Cows do need a bigger “coop.” LOL When the grass starts growing again and I’m rotationally grazing the cows, I’ll follow them up with chickens in a couple days to keep flies down and spread manure. Hope it works! We have an old trailer—one of those you used to see (if you’re old enough) homemade from an old truck box—that we’re going to make into a mini shepherd’s wagon-gypsy chicken coop for them to take refuge under/in and roost, sleep in on those short summer nights (and lay eggs, of course.)

Squee!!! Cuteness overload! This is so much fun!!! I love my beautiful chickens and cows!



Wow! I never expected my chicken coop article to be featured. Thanks! Since I’ve been getting so many great comments, I figured I should do a quick update. Last fall, before our first big snowstorm, I cleared out the tool shed And moved in the chickens. Silly me! Even though I’ve lived up here for, what? 30 years? It somehow never occurred to me that there would be days and even weeks when my girls would want to stay inside. Duh!

Here they are in the old coop, roosting in the highest rafters.



You should have seen me! Rushing around, moving all of the crap out of the tool shed, into the trash (lots of it), into the new tool shed, making a “door” between the old run and the new run, luring the very suspicious girls through the wind (which they hate) into the new run and the new coop.

The cute coop is going to end up being a growout for new babies and I’ll no doubt be building a new space for additional housing when the winter ends (if it ever does). Yes, I’ve got the chicken disease... pretty bad. LOL And turkeys on the way and geese, with plans for quail, rabbits and (I hope) sheep. Am I going nuts here or what?

Here are the girls in their new digs. It’s not as cute, but it’s a lot more livable.



Here are the other three girls. I have to get those ear tags out (ugly and wrong names), but I haven’t worked up the nerve quite.