Adding a run (lean to) to my coop (shed)

[Tre3hugger]

Started constructing a "quaiviary" today. It is 8'x3.5'x6' high at the low point. It will be housing 20 coturnix quail. Today I laid everything out, dug the holes, and set the posts. I did two corner posts and one in the middle at 4 feet.

Set them with kwikrete (that stuff is awesome!).

So far so good. I am getting the quail Tuesday, but have a temp house for them in case I do not finish in time. I used braces and a post level to get the posts in position then poured the kwikrete. This concrete is just poured into the hole dry, then a gallon of water is added to the hole for each bag. Sweet! The quaiviary will be open, with 1/2" hwc walls. There will be a bottom border made from 1x12 for some privacy and draft protection.

Didn't get a pic but all three posts are in and setting.
I will be using 2x6 for the joists, and 2x6 for the rafters 4 ft long to create a six inch overhang. PVC roofing on top will finish it off.

The only next challenge I see is using my speed square to figure out the rafter angles. Shouldn't be too hard, I have just never done it before. Stay tuned for more build pics.

I plan on trying out a deep litter method as this is my only bird house on the ground. I will start with a layer of wood chip, the n add a bunch of leaf litter, couple bags of soil and some evergreen boughs. Hopefully the quail will like it!

Thanks for reading!

 

[Tre3hugger]

Made some good progress in between rain showers today.

Looks like I just might pull it off by tuesday! (I think I can, I think I can!)

 

[aart]

Are you going to wire off the wall of rocks so they can't squeeze thru the gaps?

 

[Tre3hugger]

Are you going to wire off the wall of rocks so they can't squeeze thru the gaps?

That will be the last step. I have LOTS of rocks so if I have time, I will try and fill the gaps as best a can with rocks. Either way, I will add some chicken wire over them/tucked beneath some to keep them in place.

 

[Tre3hugger]

Got the back and front walls pretty much done!!

Front wall framed and almost complete. Needs a door and one more piece of siding.

Back wall lookin pretty solid

And a shot of how I made the connection to the wall.

Used these 5 inch LedgerLok screws for all major connections screwed into the existing building's framing.

I am really proud of how sturdy this thing is. Coming together nicely!

@RoosterML Show the birds..

 

[RoosterML]

Got the back and front walls pretty much done!!

Front wall framed and almost complete. Needs a door and one more piece of siding.
View attachment 2586847
Back wall lookin pretty solid
View attachment 2586852
And a shot of how I made the connection to the wall.
View attachment 2586855
Used these 5 inch LedgerLok screws for all major connections screwed into the existing building's framing.
View attachment 2586863
I am really proud of how sturdy this thing is. Coming together nicely!

@RoosterML Show the birds..

It’s gonna house 21 your getting 3 males not 2 lol.
They are off heat and using horizontal nipples.
Here’s some pictures I just took.

and here 2 using Horizontal nipples

@aart is right better block the holes in the rock wall

 

[aart]

Either way, I will add some chicken wire over them/tucked beneath some to keep them in place.

Might want to use 1/2" HC.

 

[RoosterML]

No don’t cover the rocks I could see the quail jumping all over them. Should have put the hardware cloth first

 

[Tre3hugger]

Might want to use 1/2" HC.

Duh. I don't know why I typed chicken wire. What I actually have is 1/2 hwc. The only wire mesh being used on this build. It's been a long day.

 

[Tre3hugger]

No don’t cover the rocks I could see the quail jumping all over them. Should have put the hardware cloth first

Didn't plan on having the quail when I placed the rocks! I most likely will do it the right way though and move the rocks, put the hwc, and put the rocks back over it. Will only be like half an hour, albeit hard, work. I too am kind of wanting to see if the quail will use the landscape.