Almost done... Just need to add the run!

[tlharv]

This was a big coop construction weekend! I made quite a bit of progress. First photo shows everything torn apart as I get the chicken wire installed to enclose the area below. It might be hard to see, but on one corner there's a trap door that slides open to allow them to hop down onto the ramp. There's a connecting stick that runs back below the nest box end so you can let the hens out without going inside (we're sailors, and got the idea from running halyards back to the cockpit).

Here's where I am now...

On the short side of the coop closest to the camera, I'm considering leaving open and attaching a covered run. I'd make it detachable so I can periodically get access to the underside of the coop, either to muck it out or spread stuff to keep it dry. This year their run will have to be 4' wide, 10' long and 4' tall -- covered of course but with chicken wire. Hopefully that'll suffice for six hens. Next year I'll consider adding a 6' high fence around a larger area so they have more room to roam.

 

[crait]

Very, very nice work!

 

[Sam The Yam]

Yes, it is indeed nice work. A very attractive little coop.

 

[highcountrychickens]

Nice work! Now just add chickens!

Congratulations

 

[Mahonri]

It gets cold there... did you insulate?

 

[tlharv]

No insulation... but I did string up a heat lamp when I first moved them in there. The coldest night they've had without the bulb lit is 45F, and they did fine. I have a brother who lives nearby with a simple plywood-walled coop and he provides neither insulation nor heat lamp -- and they do fine all winter. He also has 15 hens or so, and I imagine they can keep themselves fairly warm when they bunch together.

Because I have only six hens, I'll light the heat lamp if the overnight low gets below 40F or perhaps freezing.