Yep, those are all problems I'm trying to solve. I love the stove pipe idea for the ridge cap. I was thinking of something like PVC, but stove pipe is cuter and fits the aesthetic.
Keeping water out of the coop door is a tougher problem. I may build a little awning, maybe.
Floor platform is 4...
Only about half will be hens. That brings it to 10-ish. I'm giving three hens to a friend. That's down to 7-ish. And I'm building another tractor. That's 3-4 per tractor. :)
Sadly, they won't be able to free range unless I'm with them... and then only if they're really well behaved. We live in a neighborhood, and the neighbors would not appreciate chickens in their yards, nor would the chickens get along with the neighbors' dogs. So they'll have to be satisfied with...
And since that worked so well, here's a little video of the chooks enjoying their new ladder/roost:
https://www.facebook.com/FenWrites/videos/pcb.10158616336616318/10158616334746318/?type=3&theater
Huh. That one didn't embed. I don't understand technology. Anyway. Go look if you want.
Am I allowed to add links to my Facebook? Just wanted to let everyone know there's a video tour of the coop on Facebook. I don't really maintain a Youtube, so if you want to watch it, you'll have to go to Facebook:
There are more pictures and story and so forth on my Facebook timeline, as...
I'm not planning to add wheels. I used a 10-foot stud at the top so that it extends a foot on either end. I can lift each end by myself and wiggle it to a new spot or, with help, we can lift the whole thing that way.
Oh, one more thing! I need to decide how to cover the top of the coop. It's going to be prone to leaks and decay if I don't put some kind of roof covering over at least the apex. Open to suggestions. I have some roofing material, but I don't like it, and it's green (doesn't go with the blue), so...
...tiny house, but always under the leadership of a more accomplished carpenter/builder).
So, first off, the specifications I needed to fulfill:
* House 2-4 chickens
* Lightweight enough to move by myself
* With nest boxes for laying
* Secure from predators
* Low maintenance, ability to leave...
So I've decided to build two small chicken tractors rather than the gargantuan monstrosity I originally had in mind, thanks to the kind feedback of members here.
I want to build something similar to this: https://www.ana-white.com/community-projects/frame-chicken-tractor
But with some...
Thank you! I'm lucky not to have had trouble with large predators around here. I've used the 1/4" successfully for quail for many years. But I'm relieved to switch to 1/2" for my chickens!
For quail I always use 1/4" because raccoons will grab a little leg and eat it straight off the quail. But is this necessary for chicken runs? Can I use 1/2"? It's SO much easier to work with... Thank you!
Nice! I forgot, when writing my post that I was speaking to a forum of quail experts. When talking to folks who have only ever raised chickens, or who raise quail in factory-style settings in tiny raised wire-bottom cages, I often have to defend my designs. I reckon y'all probably already know...
Hi everyone. Thank you SO much for the feedback. I especially appreciate the experienced view that my design is going to be way too heavy. That has pushed me in a new direction.
Instead of one tractor, I think I will make two small arks. I'm leaning toward an a-frame with an enclosed portion at...
...and bugs regularly.
Or perhaps I should do a permanent coop but move them into a tractor during the day?
I live in the Charlotte, NC area. We *occasionally* get snow but it never lasts more than a few days TOPS. Ice storms are a bigger issue, and even they don't put ice on the ground for...
Just finished a quail pen today. Woot!
It's made with almost entirely salvaged materials I had lying around. The exception is the 1/4" hardware wire.
I have long kept quail on the ground and, by careful observation, perfected what seems to make my birds happiest. This pen is not only...
Hey all,
Been a while since I've had chickens. Just finished building out a quail run, which is a comparatively simple endeavor. Now I gotta build a chicken coop. I've drawn up preliminary plans and would love experienced critiques from anyone willing.
Needs:
House 4-6 chickens
Include nest...