About three years ago, I decided that I wanted to raise some chickens. I thought that I did not have a coop and run, so I was going to have to build them from scratch which can get very expensive. I did not have the extra cash flow, so I abandoned the dream for then. During the fall of 2019, I had a slight epiphany. There existed a building on our property (see picture below) that a portion possibly could be used for my coop. The building is split into two parts. The front part is constructed out of cider block and is used for storage and a workshop. I did not want to give up this section. However, the rear part was constructed of a wood frame covered in galvanized siding. When I was a child my father raised hogs and it was used as a corn crib. Currently, it was used for storage for items that were rarely, if ever used. I decided if I cleaned out all the items and repaired the floor, It had the potential to be an excellent chicken coop. As I cleaned out the items, I realized that the flooring which had been destroyed by termites was beyond repair without sinking a lot of money into it. I did not have the extra money to reconstruct the floor, so that when another slight epiphany hit me and I decided that I could have an earthen floor. I finally got it cleaned out and the floor removed and I am feeling optimistic.
View attachment 2037009
Since the major part of the chicken coop was constructed, I decided to construct the chicken run first and wait to modify the chicken coop afterwards. Below are some photos of the chicken run that I constructed.
The chicken run is 12' X 32'. I placed the post to the run approximately 2' in the ground surrounded by cement.
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I used 1/4" hardware cloth, attached with 3/4" staples, to cover the run. The above photo is a shot of the door to the run that I constructed.
Since I wanted to make sure the run was secure from digging predators, I dug underground a few inches to extend the hardware cloth, so they will encounter hopefully a formidable barrier.
After attaching the hardware cloth and extending it underground, I even attached it to the ground with landscaping pins.
As my property is frequently visited by large hawks and owls, I had to put a top on my run. I used 2" X 4" wire on top instead of the 1/4" hardware cloth because in areas that I could not attach the wire using staples, I had to use zip ties and I needed to the spacing on the wire to be large enough for my hand to fit through to secure the zip ties.
As I write this article my run is pretty much complete, and now I can focus on making the modification to the coop. I have some ideas on how I want to modify the coop. However, I am open to design suggestions before I get started. I have included some pictures of the coop as it exists now.
The south interior wall of the chicken coop. The chicken run is on the other side of this wall, so I need to construct a door for the chickens to enter and exit the coop. Currently, this wall is the only wall that has a window, but it does not open. I want to replace the window with one that can open to provide additional ventilation especially for the hot summers that we experience in North Carolina. As you may be able to see, there is some ventilation along the eaves of the building.
The east wall of the coop. The coop is roughly 11' X 13', but I want to divide it half with a wired wall running from the east wall to the west wall. I want to add two windows on the east wall, one for each half of the coop. Eventually, I want to build another run on the outside on the east wall and I will need to construct a door on the left side of the east wall for the chickens to enter and exit.
The west wall
The north wall. As you can see, I have electricity running to the coop, but it is not adequate. I need to add a light switch and some receptacles. I also need to to replace the door with something more secure. I am thinking about replacing the current door with a door that is half window panes for additional light. I also am thinking about installing another window on the north wall, but this may be overkill if I replace the door and this in not the sunny side of the coop.
The ceiling. I plan on covering the ceiling with chicken wire to keep the chickens from accessing it and roosting on the rafters.
The ceiling.
The entry into the coop on the north wall.
As you can see, I still have lots of work to do before I am ready for chickens. Any feedback that you may have regarding my design plans will be appreciated. I am currently wondering if I am planning too many windows. Also let me know what you think about this being a suitable coop to raise chickens. Besides some of the construction challenges that I have forthcoming, I still have to buy or build nest boxes, brooder box, roosting area, and decide on placement of this features in the coop. Any feedback as soon as possible will be appreciated. I will update my article as I make more progress toward my chicken dream.
View attachment 2037009
Since the major part of the chicken coop was constructed, I decided to construct the chicken run first and wait to modify the chicken coop afterwards. Below are some photos of the chicken run that I constructed.
The chicken run is 12' X 32'. I placed the post to the run approximately 2' in the ground surrounded by cement.
I used 1/4" hardware cloth, attached with 3/4" staples, to cover the run. The above photo is a shot of the door to the run that I constructed.
Since I wanted to make sure the run was secure from digging predators, I dug underground a few inches to extend the hardware cloth, so they will encounter hopefully a formidable barrier.
After attaching the hardware cloth and extending it underground, I even attached it to the ground with landscaping pins.
As my property is frequently visited by large hawks and owls, I had to put a top on my run. I used 2" X 4" wire on top instead of the 1/4" hardware cloth because in areas that I could not attach the wire using staples, I had to use zip ties and I needed to the spacing on the wire to be large enough for my hand to fit through to secure the zip ties.
As I write this article my run is pretty much complete, and now I can focus on making the modification to the coop. I have some ideas on how I want to modify the coop. However, I am open to design suggestions before I get started. I have included some pictures of the coop as it exists now.
The south interior wall of the chicken coop. The chicken run is on the other side of this wall, so I need to construct a door for the chickens to enter and exit the coop. Currently, this wall is the only wall that has a window, but it does not open. I want to replace the window with one that can open to provide additional ventilation especially for the hot summers that we experience in North Carolina. As you may be able to see, there is some ventilation along the eaves of the building.
The east wall of the coop. The coop is roughly 11' X 13', but I want to divide it half with a wired wall running from the east wall to the west wall. I want to add two windows on the east wall, one for each half of the coop. Eventually, I want to build another run on the outside on the east wall and I will need to construct a door on the left side of the east wall for the chickens to enter and exit.
The west wall
The north wall. As you can see, I have electricity running to the coop, but it is not adequate. I need to add a light switch and some receptacles. I also need to to replace the door with something more secure. I am thinking about replacing the current door with a door that is half window panes for additional light. I also am thinking about installing another window on the north wall, but this may be overkill if I replace the door and this in not the sunny side of the coop.
The ceiling. I plan on covering the ceiling with chicken wire to keep the chickens from accessing it and roosting on the rafters.
The ceiling.
The entry into the coop on the north wall.
As you can see, I still have lots of work to do before I am ready for chickens. Any feedback that you may have regarding my design plans will be appreciated. I am currently wondering if I am planning too many windows. Also let me know what you think about this being a suitable coop to raise chickens. Besides some of the construction challenges that I have forthcoming, I still have to buy or build nest boxes, brooder box, roosting area, and decide on placement of this features in the coop. Any feedback as soon as possible will be appreciated. I will update my article as I make more progress toward my chicken dream.
