12x6 Coop Construction, August 2016 Deadline!

[kie4]

You are correct. If it were me, rather than filling the run with sand, I'd use those leaves. Some seek them out as choice #1. The reason they have just been sitting there is probably due to the lack of nitrogen........they are the carbon part. The chickens will supply the N and will do the work to turn them.

I'd think that size of coop with only 4 birds would last nearly a year or so between cleanouts. And be nice and tidy doing it. Problem may come along when winter hits and things cool down and slow down. But birds will turn it. Toss in a handfull of scratch grains and get out of their way.

@Howard E scratch grains. got it, thanks. Let's see how this goes then. Can't wait for the day they can move into the coop

 

[kie4]

2 sides are in progress, but the wood is different to the front. Hoping recoating the stain will even up the deepness of the colour.
Pop door with rope and pulley is working well.
Chickens escaped today after we opened the garage door. They took ages to round up, the sooner they can get into their coop the better. but they are only 4 1/2 weeks old. Temperatures are hot every day here in PA, but is it too early to move them in?



List of things to do:

Another coat of stain on the side
Coop door Handle
Trim, hang side window and add hardware cloth behind
Make and install wooden holders to slide in 2x2 roost and poop board
Cut/lay floor linoleum tiles, then caulk
Frame rear window
Tongue in groove rear wall like coop door
Make a 3 nest version of @Opa 's rolling egg nest box, that will stick 24 inches out. Post pictures to @Opa 's thread.
Run to outside pop door
Fit coop to run window
Fill in all hardware cloth
Make and hang run door
Finish outer and inner framing to cover hardware cloth.
No-spill bucket feeder
Gutter downstpout to rain barrel with overflow into garden and connection to PVC waterer with steel nipples

 

[kie4]

Climatic location: Malvern, PA, USA
Dimensions of coop: 6x4, run 12x6
Size of run: 12x6
Number of chickens that will be housed: 4
Size of chickens that will be housed: (Normal New Hampshire Red, Buff Orpington, Black Copper Maran,Super Blue Egg layer)
Feed and Water: Only in run, horizontal nipple in 4G bucket with snap on lid, Street elbow PVC in 5G bucket with leaktight "GAMMA" screw on lid.
Any free ranging planned?: Yes. 1 acre fenced on all side, driveway entrance is open.
Unfinished work to be done to coop or run?: Poop board, coop door litter stopper board, egg roller nesting boxes, back wall with light fitting.

 

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