I have to give all credit for inspiration to this build to @WthrLady with the Ooodalolly at DunRovin Station build. I even bought the book that was recommended, Fresh Air Poultry Houses: https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Air-Poultry-Houses-Open-Front-Healthier/dp/097217706X.
I have four ISA brown chickens that were purchased in the spring for my two young kids and had no idea what I was getting into. I bought a pretty cheap coop found on Craigslist, and thought all was fine. Coop was way too small for these chickens and hated putting them in there so I got to work.
My Father-In-Law had torn down an old smoke shed with 80+ year old oak and wasn't doing anything with it so I started pulling nails and putting up the boards.
The start of finding good boards and pulling nails. Many 2x6's, 2x4s. Wider boards were 1 - 1 3/4" x 4 - 14". Many, many hours were spent pulling these boards apart and removing nails.
The girls were growing curious and impatient... Made the coop 10x6'.
Floor boards are installed, kept the supports up until the walls were finished.
Supervisor is making sure it looks good. He didn't fire me unfortunately so I had to keep going.
Starting to come to life and look like a structure.
Roof is on, went with old barn tin. Mainly because I had it laying around with the boards I was already removing nails from.
First wall finished.
1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth installed. Will probably put trim around the window but no hurry on that.
All walls done just have to get the door and the steps in.
Floor protection, I don't know who to credit for this but I've read it multiple times. Use Rubr-Coat #57, turns out great! Make sure to flip the product upside down for a day or so before use to help with stirring. I had a drill adapter paint mixer and worked really well for mixing. I used 2 coats, I waited until the first coat dried and immediately put down the second. So far no problems with that, been a couple weeks.
Coop is finished! I need to make a run yet but the girls are moved in and seem to be enjoying it. However, they haven't figured out the new nesting boxes but I'm sure they'll get it. I'm going with the plan of the deep bedding method and will see how that goes. The windows up top are sealed and removed from the inside during the warm months and shut during the colder months, Oct - March here in MO.
Have the run added. The girls definitely enjoy being able to go under the house when hawks fly over or to stay dry in the rain.
Built an auto door setup utilizing a couple timers, a relay, an old kid power wheel battery, and a solar panel. I have it closing 30 minutes after dark...shouldn't close on any chickens but time will tell. I still have some upgrades to do it but for now it's working.
Thanks for stopping by!
I have four ISA brown chickens that were purchased in the spring for my two young kids and had no idea what I was getting into. I bought a pretty cheap coop found on Craigslist, and thought all was fine. Coop was way too small for these chickens and hated putting them in there so I got to work.
My Father-In-Law had torn down an old smoke shed with 80+ year old oak and wasn't doing anything with it so I started pulling nails and putting up the boards.
The start of finding good boards and pulling nails. Many 2x6's, 2x4s. Wider boards were 1 - 1 3/4" x 4 - 14". Many, many hours were spent pulling these boards apart and removing nails.
The girls were growing curious and impatient... Made the coop 10x6'.
Floor boards are installed, kept the supports up until the walls were finished.
Supervisor is making sure it looks good. He didn't fire me unfortunately so I had to keep going.
Starting to come to life and look like a structure.
Roof is on, went with old barn tin. Mainly because I had it laying around with the boards I was already removing nails from.
First wall finished.
1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth installed. Will probably put trim around the window but no hurry on that.
All walls done just have to get the door and the steps in.
Floor protection, I don't know who to credit for this but I've read it multiple times. Use Rubr-Coat #57, turns out great! Make sure to flip the product upside down for a day or so before use to help with stirring. I had a drill adapter paint mixer and worked really well for mixing. I used 2 coats, I waited until the first coat dried and immediately put down the second. So far no problems with that, been a couple weeks.
Coop is finished! I need to make a run yet but the girls are moved in and seem to be enjoying it. However, they haven't figured out the new nesting boxes but I'm sure they'll get it. I'm going with the plan of the deep bedding method and will see how that goes. The windows up top are sealed and removed from the inside during the warm months and shut during the colder months, Oct - March here in MO.
Have the run added. The girls definitely enjoy being able to go under the house when hawks fly over or to stay dry in the rain.
Built an auto door setup utilizing a couple timers, a relay, an old kid power wheel battery, and a solar panel. I have it closing 30 minutes after dark...shouldn't close on any chickens but time will tell. I still have some upgrades to do it but for now it's working.
Thanks for stopping by!
