Amateur 20-something Carpenter/Chicken-Lady Builds Upcycled Coop that Keeps Growing :)

[thriftyplants]

I am by no means a carpenter, but I do have a bachelor's degree in fine arts and my father is a builder. I absolutely LOVE working with tools and have since I was a small child. My father had me in a miniature tool belt and hard hat while I helped him out in the shop

My partner thinks I'm crazy, but a love for chickens has me continuously building this mostly upcycled/scavenged coop and enclosed run. Right now I'm working on an 'atrium' . Hope you enjoy!

(I extended the roost after getting more girls!)

This is before I added the nesting cabinet to the back!

It was a perfect fit!

The girls used it within an hour after I installed it ♡

 

[Hei 20]

I am by no means a carpenter, but I do have a bachelor's degree in fine arts and my father is a builder. I absolutely LOVE working with tools and have since I was a small child. My father had me in a miniature tool belt and hard hat while I helped him out in the shop

My partner thinks I'm crazy, but a love for chickens has me continuously building this mostly upcycled/scavenged coop and enclosed run. Right now I'm working on an 'atrium' . Hope you enjoy!

View attachment 2381329
View attachment 2381336
View attachment 2381338
(I extended the roost after getting more girls!)

View attachment 2381340
This is before I added the nesting cabinet to the back!

View attachment 2381341
View attachment 2381343
It was a perfect fit!
View attachment 2381348
The girls used it within an hour after I installed it ♡

So awesome.
Don't worry about what people think.
What matters, is what your chickens think.

 

[thriftyplants]

So awesome.
Don't worry about what people think.
What matters, is what your chickens think.

Thank you! I'm in love with it I think it turned out rather unique looking lol.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

What a clever idea with the cabinet!

 

[thriftyplants]

What a clever idea with the cabinet!

Thank you! I was very fortunate that it fit so perfectly as I didnt take any measurements before bringing it home The girls are sooo happy with it! I also have a good lock on it now for extra security.

 

[PioneerChicks]

I love the rustic, homemade look!

 

[thriftyplants]

I love the rustic, homemade look!

Aww, thanks so much! I love it too! It's really fun to build as well ♡

 

[tacothechicken]

How did you do the frame for your coop out of curiosity? Were about to do a 6x4 and trying to decide if lengthwise or hieght wise is better

 

[thriftyplants]

How did you do the frame for your coop out of curiosity? Were about to do a 6x4 and trying to decide if lengthwise or hieght wise is better

I'm not sure which part you're refering to, but the enclosed roost we originally did 3 ft × 3ft x 5ft h. There is a separate box underneath which was originally going to the nesting area until my girls told me they preferred laying up higher in the roost We only had 3 girls to start so the roost had enough space. They like to be at minimum 1 foot off the ground when perching and have a lot of head space. We got 4 more chicks a month ago so we extended the Roost up top by 4 more feet and then I added the nesting cabinet which they took to very quickly. The Triangle run in 6ft high and 4 ft wide. There is a tunnel behind the ramp leading to the large rectangular space which is 4ft by 8 ft by 3 ft high with two large, hinged doors on top. I am now adding that tall atrium to the back which is 6 ft by 4 ft by 5 ft high. I just want them to have more room to fly up. I live in a residential area so we don't free range. Plus there are tons of hawks and owls. The girls love this space though. I get an egg every day. I also used hardwire cloth throughout including the floor for digging predators, I just added a half foot of dirt on top so they can scratch.

 

[thriftyplants]

How did you do the frame for your coop out of curiosity? Were about to do a 6x4 and trying to decide if lengthwise or hieght wise is better

Also here's a photo of the actual frame before completed this one is supporting the extension of the roost and we chose to not close it in for storage

Hope this helps!