3/19 Update!! NEW PICS w/Layout!! Updated photo of our new coop.

[texaschickmom]

I am very impressed! So this is 3 or 4 separate pens under 1 roof? If so, how are you dividing them...with wire or wood/wire above? Where will you put nest boxes?

 

[PartridgeRckgal]

Quote:
Thank you Texaschickmom! It is 4 pens under 1 roof. They are divided by chicken wire connected to the 4x4 posts and then to the roof rafter and down to treated 2x6's we have partially buried in the ground. The outer perimeter of the pen is surrounded by 2x4" welded wire with 1" chicken inside. (hope that makes sense

We are working on the nest boxes (planning to put in 3 per pen)... right now we are planning to put them in the front portion of the pen, adjacent to the doors. There will also be interior doors connecting each pen (on the inside), in case we want to open them to make a larger run for the chickens.

 

[texaschickmom]

This is what I'm wanting to do, too! I notice that you have a privacy fence on the back side. Is that also the north side of your coop? Ours will be out in the open so the north side will have to be plywood with some vents up high maybe.
I am loving what you are doing and you are helping me visualize what I need, too. Keep the pics coming!!! Thanks so much. Martha

 

[PartridgeRckgal]

Quote:
Hi Martha,

Glad the photos are helping

Yes, the privacy fence is behind the coop on the North side, which will block the colder air in the winter. We live in NW Florida, so we have to worry a lot more about the heat/humidity than the cold weather. When it does get down below freezing... we have roofing metal cut to fit the ends of the coop. We simply stand it up on each end and screw it in place. That will give us 3 sides of protection against the elements. We also have a really large pole barn right in front of our coop (you can't see it in the photos), and that provides more of a wind break. The coop is really well protected. Then when the weather warms up, we just remove the metal and the chickens can get plenty of fresh air and still remain shaded from the hot sun.

We are making this up as we go along... so we've changed a few little things along, but so far it's working out nicely. I'm excited about the automatic watering system we are working on (you can see the pvc pipes sticking up in a couple of the photos). I went to the hardware store this afternoon and got all the fittings we will need to finish. I will be sure to take some photos while we are putting them together.
Jenny

 

[texaschickmom]

It all sounds great and looks very well done, too! I did notice the PVC pipes sticking up for your watering system. I assume you don't have to worry about freezing temps there, do you? I'm in NE TX and we just had our coldest winter in a long time. My rooster actually got a little frostbitten, I'm sad to say.

I would like to have electricity to our coop so I can use heated waterers. That was the biggest job this winter for me...keeping the water unfrozen!

Well...continue your good work and thanks again for the photos. I'll continue to "stalk" this topic. LOL
Martha

 

[PartridgeRckgal]

Quote:
Hi Martha,
We have never had frozen pipes (thank goodness). I thought I would get a stick of pipe insulation and wrap around the exposed part when it's finished (just to be sure

. I'll bet it did get cold in NE TX. We watched all the snow across the country on tv. Thankfully, it doesn't snow here... ever! It has been in the mid 80's here for the past couple of weeks.

Sorry about your rooster and the frostbite! I hope he is ok

How do you treat the frostbitten areas?

My DH is running electricity to the coop (woohoo!! I'm really happy about that). He is going to put overhead lights in the coops so we can see out there at night.

You are certainly welcome for the photos.... I will sure post more as we progress

Have a great evening!!
Jenny

 

[kla37]

Really really nice! You have some lucky chickens!

 

[PartridgeRckgal]

Quote:
Thank you kla37. We are excited!! We are getting 38 new chicks the last week in March to go with the rest of our flock... can't wait!!

 

[carypatch]

Very nice job, looking forward to seeing more pics!

 

[cabincrazyone]

Thanks for all the great pics. You two obviously know what you're doing. I read this thread the easy way ... just looked at the pictures.

Judging by the height of the doors that roll of chicken wire and your husband must both be six feet tall. That would make the 4 separate pens about eight feet square. I live in the city so I don't have that much space.
There sure is a difference between a Florida coop and a Minnesota coop. Around here the coop walls are solid and insulated.