I haven't opened up the under part of my coop yet, but it's an option for the future. I have an old wooden playhouse with a solid roof as part of the run to help provide shade and rain shelter. Lots of breeds there! Should have a good variety of eggs. My chicks needed some prodding into the...
For the full story, see this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/764454/first-coop#post_11228412
I built the coop and run next to the swings so all would benefit from the proximity, and it's working great. Kids and chickens love each other!
Kids and I painted the coop and some cutouts, which are glued and nailed to the side. We think it looks pretty good!
With sidecar lid open:
Backside maintenance door:
Run interior detail:
And of course, some fowl fotos:
[/IMG][/IMG]
Finished last weekend! Wire went up pretty easily, and got everything in the coop and run ready for the birds in just a couple hours.
I've used carribbeaners on all 3 exterior latches to help ensure no unwanted guests find their way to the chickens.
Speaking of chickens, here's our...
Finished the frame for the run.
Above is the gate, and some of the welded wire I'm using since we have raccoons and other predators that would love a chicken dinner.
I'm proud that I used the old playhouse for part of the run, recycling and all that, but it was tricky working the run frame...
Woo-hoo! Coop is done! Only a few decisions to make for the inside, roosts, water, & feed.
Fun chicken ladder goes through the kids' old playhouse - wasn't sure how it was going to work, and now I'm thinking about enclosing it on the outside walls to provide extra shelter.
Here's a view of...
Got three more hours in today, and replaced the lid for the side-car nesting boxes. Used 2 old cabinet doors attached together, and it works well now. Also finished framing the inside of the coop - the plans didn't call for that, but we get snow from time to time, so I figured it wouldn't hurt...
We have an ameraucana, a barred rock, a gold sex link, and a Delaware, all a week and a half old. Got in 3 more hours today, finished the side car for the nesting boxes.
I'm not thrilled with the lid, and will likely replace it, but its good and solid after modifying the plans a bit. Next is...
The coop I'm building is coop #1 in Art of the Chicken Coop. It'll be 4' X 5' and the run will be about 12' X 6'. Got the ground ready today, its a gravel RV parking area, so racoons won't be able to dig under. There is a 4' X 4' covered structure that used to be a playhouse that I'm using...
Our Deleware, Barred Rock, and Gold Sex Link are great new guests! The Ameraucana won't be here 'til Thursday, but the kids haven't watched TV or played any electronics for 3 hours. Brooder heat is stable, and all systems are go. Spent 3 hours prepping the ground for the coop/run, moved the...
Hello all! Tomorrow we'll be bringing home 4 chicks as first timers, and we can't wait. 4 kids (4-11) are very excited. Lots of good advice on here, so we'd like to thank the experienced among you for helping us decide on coop, run, and breeds - thanks!
We'll update after everyone gets...