ALABAMA!!

[Tomtommom]

I spent way more than I thought I would buy trying to save on the first one. Bought wood I was told would work, I knew I shouldn't have listened. Then had to buy new more expensive to replace it. On the second coop, I made my plans and didn't listen to anyone else. I looked up coops online and read what people would have done differently to avoid mistakes. I love my new one. So much easier. ANd I can watch my chickens from the house if I want to.

We took inspiration from plenty of coops, but came up with something entirely our own. I seriously have never seen a coop like mine

We used some unusual materials, but they just worked. Like the posts... yeah, they're landscape timbers, because they're WAY cheaper than 4x4s The walls are fairly thin OSB, but we put felt paper over it and mounted fence pickets over that. It looks GREAT, it's sturdy and it was pretty cost effective.

I think I probably have $600-700 in the coop, rain barrel system and the 6 ft run.

I've had it for a year and I still gush about it haha. My husband just did a great job, turning my ideas into reality.

The only thing I learned is that it's never big enough. My initial plan was that the chickens would be contained in the coop. No free ranging, no additional run. HAHA. Right. First I made a little make-shift free range area, then it became bigger and more permanent, then they had the whole yard... until they started jumping the fence to the neighbors! Add a hawk attack to that and the 6ft tall run was born.

Love it none the less.

Coops evolve. They just do. You always find stuff to add.

 

[apteryx]

We took inspiration from plenty of coops, but came up with something entirely our own. I seriously have never seen a coop like mine

We used some unusual materials, but they just worked. Like the posts... yeah, they're landscape timbers, because they're WAY cheaper than 4x4s The walls are fairly thin OSB, but we put felt paper over it and mounted fence pickets over that. It looks GREAT, it's sturdy and it was pretty cost effective.

I think I probably have $600-700 in the coop, rain barrel system and the 6 ft run.

I've had it for a year and I still gush about it haha. My husband just did a great job, turning my ideas into reality.

The only thing I learned is that it's never big enough. My initial plan was that the chickens would be contained in the coop. No free ranging, no additional run. HAHA. Right. First I made a little make-shift free range area, then it became bigger and more permanent, then they had the whole yard... until they started jumping the fence to the neighbors! Add a hawk attack to that and the 6ft tall run was born.

Love it none the less.

Coops evolve. They just do. You always find stuff to add.

Too funny - I ended up using landscape timbers in my coop because of price. Because of the shape they can be a bear to work with at times, but the savings sure add up. I have also used fence pickets on my coop and have a chicken tractor that is clad in fence pickets. Much cheaper than 1x6 lumber!

 

[DeannaA]

We took inspiration from plenty of coops, but came up with something entirely our own. I seriously have never seen a coop like mine

We used some unusual materials, but they just worked. Like the posts... yeah, they're landscape timbers, because they're WAY cheaper than 4x4s The walls are fairly thin OSB, but we put felt paper over it and mounted fence pickets over that. It looks GREAT, it's sturdy and it was pretty cost effective.

I think I probably have $600-700 in the coop, rain barrel system and the 6 ft run.

I've had it for a year and I still gush about it haha. My husband just did a great job, turning my ideas into reality.

The only thing I learned is that it's never big enough. My initial plan was that the chickens would be contained in the coop. No free ranging, no additional run. HAHA. Right. First I made a little make-shift free range area, then it became bigger and more permanent, then they had the whole yard... until they started jumping the fence to the neighbors! Add a hawk attack to that and the 6ft tall run was born.

Love it none the less.

Coops evolve. They just do. You always find stuff to add.

I thought about the landscape timbers but the ones in my yard rotted to nothing in less than 2 years. Also I used my already built fence for one wall so I didn't need many 4"x4". I also used pickets for the front wall and the thinnest partical board for the sides. I bought the oops paint and painted 2 to 3 coats. I have less than $100 in the the new coop and nesting boxes but my run is my 6' privacy fence. That was already there. I only let them free range while I am outside. The go into my neighbors yard but she said she doesn't care. My original plan was the small crate coop and an 8x8 pen. Silly me. That was back with 8 little chickies.



And now...

My 19 youngest, 4 silkies, 2 Guineas and Max aren't even in this picture. And people say multiply like rabbits, it should be multiplies like chickens.

 

[Tomtommom]

Too funny - I ended up using landscape timbers in my coop because of price. Because of the shape they can be a bear to work with at times, but the savings sure add up. I have also used fence pickets on my coop and have a chicken tractor that is clad in fence pickets. Much cheaper than 1x6 lumber!

Oooh totally nabbing your coop for inspiration for my new juvenile/broody coop

 

[apteryx]

Oooh totally nabbing your coop for inspiration for my new juvenile/broody coop

Feel free! I currently use it as a grow out and transition pen. The dimensions were driven by the wire I had on hand at the time. For the cladding I cut the pickets in half lengthwise. I also made the roof out of pickets. The covered part can be shut off from the run, and can be accessed by lifting the roof. The run can be opened at the end to allow for access or free ranging. I also have wheels that can be added to move it.

 

[kingfrodo]

Totally off topic but today I discovered what a huge difference an experience, good rooster makes!

Wisher gave me this beautiful rooster, Duke.

This week b/c my plans and direction of my flock changed we rehomed Frodo and Duke is now the only rooster and is "King".
I "thought" Frodo was a good rooster but man oh man did I see how good Duke handles the girls.

today one of my BO and EE girls got into it. The buff, Izzy, started it and Duke immediatly jumped in the middle and broke them up. In the past Frodo never bothered himself with the girls.

Izzy jumped back on Yang, the EE and started in on her hard, well, Duke was not having it! He jumped back in, broke them up, and then grabbed Izzy by the comb and made her....how do I say it? submit.

after that they were done. Peace in the flock. Now I know what everyone is referring to by a peacemaker, and good rooster.

At dusk he was last one in the coop and wasnt happy until all the girls were on the roost.


Wisher....I am so in love with him, you just have no idea!

 

[DeannaA]

Right now I have an EE as head, a splash Marans 2nd and a RIR cross 3rd. They are a pretty good team but not as good as your Duke. I have a Black Copper Marans growing into a very good rooster. I am thinking he might try to take over in a few months. He is only 5 months but already showing signs of being a better 'peace keeper'. I hope there isn't a big fight when it's time. I have 2 Guineas that need to be controled and the roosters just ignore them.

 

[Tomtommom]

I have only had juvenile roosters.... not much peacekeeping there. Either they're too hormonal or too clueless

That's ok. I can't have all that crowing here. My girls don't like boys..... seriously, I have a bunch of feminist chickens. Their leader is an Australorp who grew spurs after I ate her brother/mate. She tried crowing for a while, but gave that up. Freaking amazon chickens

 

[Wisher1000]

Totally off topic but today I discovered what a huge difference an experience, good rooster makes!

Wisher gave me this beautiful rooster, Duke.

This week b/c my plans and direction of my flock changed we rehomed Frodo and Duke is now the only rooster and is "King".
I "thought" Frodo was a good rooster but man oh man did I see how good Duke handles the girls.

today one of my BO and EE girls got into it. The buff, Izzy, started it and Duke immediatly jumped in the middle and broke them up. In the past Frodo never bothered himself with the girls.

Izzy jumped back on Yang, the EE and started in on her hard, well, Duke was not having it! He jumped back in, broke them up, and then grabbed Izzy by the comb and made her....how do I say it? submit.

after that they were done. Peace in the flock. Now I know what everyone is referring to by a peacemaker, and good rooster.

At dusk he was last one in the coop and wasnt happy until all the girls were on the roost.


Wisher....I am so in love with him, you just have no idea!

I am so glad he is working out for you. I have raised several roosters from that line and they were all fantastic. I let the cockerals grow up in the layer flock and keep the "second in Command" of the sons. The alpha (his dad) is usually lost sometime during the year to a predator because he defended the hens. Then I let the younger rooster step in and he produces more sons and the cycle continues. I have never had one from this line be aggressive toward people, but if I did, he would go to the pot. I have rehomed several that were showing enough promise to make me not want them eaten. Everyone who gets one of them has been thrilled.

I gave you that one because he is nearly two, and would likely be taken this year. I have lots of chicks coming from the layer flock that will be just as good at that age. As a matter of fact, the new rooster that I just got from my neighbor (he is too sick to care for them) is from that line and shows the same qualities. He is white and will make beautiful future flock masters.......anybody need a good rooster?

 

[Tomtommom]

I am so glad he is working out for you. I have raised several roosters from that line and they were all fantastic. I let the cockerals grow up in the layer flock and keep the "second in Command" of the sons. The alpha (his dad) is usually lost sometime during the year to a predator because he defended the hens. Then I let the younger rooster step in and he produces more sons and the cycle continues. I have never had one from this line be aggressive toward people, but if I did, he would go to the pot. I have rehomed several that were showing enough promise to make me not want them eaten. Everyone who gets one of them has been thrilled.

I gave you that one because he is nearly two, and would likely be taken this year. I have lots of chicks coming from the layer flock that will be just as good at that age. As a matter of fact, the new rooster that I just got from my neighbor (he is too sick to care for them) is from that line and shows the same qualities. He is white and will make beautiful future flock masters.......anybody need a good rooster?

Train them not to crow and you've got a deal