Adding 2nd run.. If you can't laugh at yourself? (added predator pics)

[dsqard]

OK Heather you haven't posted any pictures of your coop modifications and I am dying to see how the nest boxes came out!! Pics please!

 

[88heather]

LOL! Oh boy.. needless to say I struggled on my "fly by the seat of my pants" new nesting boxes that come out.. BUT they are attached!!! I used brackets on top and on bottom to attach.. so that it has 32 screws!!

8 screws per bracet.. 4 to the coop 4 to the box.. Then I found some scrap wood and beat it in underneath the end of the nesting box since this new box is an add on and not built in.. I figured it needed all the support it could get. Of course the wood holding it up is not centered. why have that perfect now?

So this morning I'm going to go out there and paint it to match the coop and.. **cough** hide the flaws!

May do a little painting on the box so maybe someone would look at that and not all the areas I had to wing it on.

need that dummy book!

 

[dsqard]

I think all of us that are following your thread deserve to see pics of before you paint and after you paint!

Believe me it all looks better after you slap some paint on it! I can point out ever mistake that I have made on mine whether other people can see them or not. I am learning so much as I am doing this and I swear that DH can read my mind sometimes! I have already found free plans for sheds that could be either used as sheds or converted into coops easily if I need more space (chicken math strikes again). While we were looking at the wall frames last night he says to me "You know you are going to want to build another one in about 13 months" He knows me so well!

 

[88heather]

Ok.. before I paint I'll take a photo.. I may even show the flaws!

like for instance.. I wanted the nesting boxes bigger than the hole coming out of the coop and the run is in the way of letting me center the new added on box over the hole so it covers the frame they had on the coop oddly. I also wanted to reuse the nest box door they had.. which measured 10"x20".. but my new boxes would be larger.. so what to do but put plywood strips on each side to cover the gap.. so I had the box ready to put on the door and OF COURSE the door didn't fit right..

.. so I had to break off one of the plywood strips (that I glued and used brad nails from an electric stapler/brad nailer).. and make a wider plywood strip that I had to reglue and brad nail in.. and STILL it's not perfect! there is a little gap.. Maybe I'll see if I can put some kind of plastic strip on the inside to help cover the gap.. Like I said.. I'm totally winging it!

Now I need help cutting out the interior nesting boxes.. My friend has one of those saw zaw?? Saws all??? Not sure the real name but with that we could cut them out.. I tried last night and went out there with a giant hand saw and quit.. Not sure if the jigsaw would work or I should just get my friend over here with her saw?

Will post pics later today! Better get out there and paint.. Need to stack wood too.. a full day!!

 

[dsqard]

A sawsall (also called a reciprocating saw) would work to to cut out the interior nest boxes if there is enough room inside the coop to get your torso inside and the saw. My sawsall is probably about a foot and a half long with the blade on it I think. Personally, I would go with the jig saw again. Much smaller and easer to maneuver (sp?) in tight places. Can you figure out how the interior nest boxes are attached to the coop? Maybe you could just remove the nails or screws that they used. Don't know which might be easier.

 

[88heather]

I'll look at my husband's jigsaw again and try that.. Maybe I can use the lower 2 boards that hold the nesting box up and add a 2x2 across so they can perch on it. Hate having to wait for someone for help and i haven't heard from my friend so she could be super busy (that or I scared her away?) LOL.

 

[88heather]

Tried the jig saw to start cutting the legs to the inside nesting box and it must of hit some metal or something and did a nice kick back... scared me enough.. Dang.. I want someone skilled with a saw to take this thing OUT!.. It's awkward reaching in there too.. Probably pics tomorrow too much to do still tonight.

Maybe my jig saw would need another blade that wouldn't kick back if it hit metal? hmm?

 

[fargosmom]

You need a different blade for cutting metal than wood - the metal blade has really fine teeth. But you'd be better off finding out what metal you're cutting through, and see if there's a way to avoid it . . .
My hat's off to you - you're making great progress!!!

 

[88heather]

I figured something like that! I should show a pic of what it's inside.. Shoot.. I have a link to the place where I bought it if anyone wants to look at the nesting boxes.

Here's the link to the site with the pictures of the interior of the coop I bought. I want those interior nesting boxes cut out! my new boxes i built and have since attached to the outside are bigger. I bought their smaller coop as our main coop is a good size.. See the legs .. i was trying to cut through those legs.. I guess I could make another Home depot trip and ask about changing the blade on my ryobi jig saw.. I haven't tried using it till today.. when it jerked back at me. that scared me.. and was one of those times I just wanted help. Saws make me nervous.. one slip and it can be bad.. I'm extra cautious but I'm still not super comfortable with them.

http://coolcoops.com/index.php?option=com_samgallery&task=img&cat=3&Itemid=38

 

[Minniechickmama]

I am thoroughly enjoying your story here. I actually grew up on a dairy farm and back then most repairs or pens being built were put together with baling twine. animals like to eat through it when they start getting hungry though

So, I am an experienced (sort of) builder of things. Last fall I designed a coop and my husband and I started building it. It looks good so far, but we haven't finished it yet. that is too long of a story to go into. But I always seem to get more acomplished when my hubby is not here to watch me, comment or find other things for me to do. So, when he goes, I usually have a list of things I will do on my own when he isn't watching. I don't know why he thinks I shouldn't do these projects, after all, I grew up on a farm where I swung a hammer, measured and cut things, and even drove tractors and trucks around. I remind him of this, but all he can remember is this pathetic frame I made for a desk one time out of 2X4s that looked like a moron put it together. It wasn't for fashion or some prize, it was for function, and it worked. All in all, I completely empathize with your situation and motivation and the works. Keep plugging away and one day you will look back at this and realize all the things you learned and how much fun it was to sneak around and make this happen by yourself. It is a great accomplishment and you should have a glass of wine to toast yourself with. heck a bottle of champagne would be in order for all this.
You go girl!