Arizona Chickens

[Bobby Basham]

I have so many ideas, and folks say that your initial investment is the most expensive. Since this is in my backyard, I have access to electrical and water sources from my patio. I may run a small pipe underground to route some electricity and a water hose out there. The water would serve two purposes, to provide water for the chickens as well as constructing an irrigation system for all the planter boxes around the run. We're only talking an inch or two deep here, nothing major. Possibly get some solar panels to power some extra features out there as well. There will also be a space for composting.

As well as all the supplies such as feed, food containers, waters etc., I also need storage and do not want any feed out in my garage which could attract unwanted little buggers which could eventually find their way into the house, so I'll either go to one of the big stores and buy a shed or build my own.

I draw/design everything from scratch to improvise and figure what works for me. Have you seen the prices of Pre-Fab coops lately? Most times, it's cheaper to build things yourself to your specifications, and when your ideas and creations work well, it gives you a sense of pride in what you have accomplished. For now, it's one step at a time. --BB

 

[BlueBaby]

I have so many ideas, and folks say that your initial investment is the most expensive. Since this is in my backyard, I have access to electrical and water sources from my patio. I may run a small pipe underground to route some electricity and a water hose out there. The water would serve to purposes, to provide water for the chickens as well as constructing an irrigation system for all the planter boxes around the run. We're only talking an inch or two deep here, nothing major. Possibly get some solar panels to power some extra features out there as well. There will also be a space for composting.

As well as all the supplies such as feed, food containers, waters etc., I also need storage and do not want any feed out in my garage which could attract unwanted little buggers which could eventually find their way into the house, so I'll either go to one of the big stores and buy a shed or build my own.

I draw/design everything from scratch to improvise and figure what works for me. Have you seen the prices of Pre-Fab coops lately? Most times, it's cheaper to build things yourself to your specifications, and when your ideas and creations work well, it gives you a sense of pride in what you have accomplished. For now, it's one step at a time. --BB

Those pre-fab coops are not only expensive, but will get knocked over in big wind gusts and break up. I found that out the hard way a couple of years back. It was a good thing that my chicks were still in my house in a brooder and I had not moved them outside yet. I would have lost all of those chicks if they had been in it at the time.

 

[nicollee]

Im looking at a hatchery right now for some baby chickens, Meyer Hatchery.

does anyone have reccomendations/comments?

we are looking for pretty cheap shipping costs as well as per/chick prices.

Didn't your mom just get mad at new chicks you were given?

 

[cactusrota]

Didn't your mom just get mad at new chicks you were given?

I didn't get that either, but I'm guessing mom's mad because she wanted to keep them for herself and dad wouldn't let her...

 

[cactusrota]

Im looking at a hatchery right now for some baby chickens, Meyer Hatchery.

does anyone have reccomendations/comments?

we are looking for pretty cheap shipping costs as well as per/chick prices.

If you're on fb, there's a guy in the Arizona groups that's selling healthy chicks you might want to check out. Search for Arizona chicken/poultry related groups and you'll find him, there's a whole bunch to chose from. Arizona Chicken Raisers is a good place to start. There's always chicks on craigslist, too, if you aren't on facebook. You shouldn't have to order from out of state, it's stressful enough on the chicks, not to mention more expensive than getting them locally.

 

[BlueBaby]

I agree with cactusrota. With as many people that we have here in this AZ. thread, you should be able to find what you want from somebody here, and since it would be closer to you, there might not be a 15 chick minimum like at the hatcheries.

 

[ejcrist]

I have so many ideas, and folks say that your initial investment is the most expensive. Since this is in my backyard, I have access to electrical and water sources from my patio. I may run a small pipe underground to route some electricity and a water hose out there. The water would serve to purposes, to provide water for the chickens as well as constructing an irrigation system for all the planter boxes around the run. We're only talking an inch or two deep here, nothing major. Possibly get some solar panels to power some extra features out there as well. There will also be a space for composting.

As well as all the supplies such as feed, food containers, waters etc., I also need storage and do not want any feed out in my garage which could attract unwanted little buggers which could eventually find their way into the house, so I'll either go to one of the big stores and buy a shed or build my own.

I draw/design everything from scratch to improvise and figure what works for me. Have you seen the prices of Pre-Fab coops lately? Most times, it's cheaper to build things yourself to your specifications, and when your ideas and creations work well, it gives you a sense of pride in what you have accomplished. For now, it's one step at a time. --BB

Gosh Bobby you sound just like me. I like looking at plans and actual structures to get ideas but then it's off to the drawing table I go to make it exactly the way I want it. I thought I was the only guy that burned time doing that as opposed to just getting plans - glad I'm not alone.

Just wanted to mention, and you might already know this, but make sure to put the feed in metal containers (trash cans) even if they'll be in a building because otherwise the mice and/or rats will get inside anyway and chew right through anything that isn't metal. 3/4" or better wood might work too as long as it has a tight fitting lid but personally I always go with the trash cans.

 

[Bobby Basham]

Thanks, ejcrist,

I forgot to mention about the metal trash cans, which are a definite necessity. If one has the ability to work their way around lumber and some power tools, the biggest investment beside materials is doing your own labor. I have all the power tools I need, except for one table saw I've been drooling over for thicker cuts.

I would not want to pay $400 for a teeny (possibly plastic) shed, when I can buy a few sheets of plywood, 2x4's,some hardware, caulking and roofing material. One neat gadget that I discovered is the Kreg Tool. It makes some strong joints and have used it to build several book cases. None of the cabinets are rickety and are very sturdy and I would use it when designing my nest boxes.

I LIKE TO DRAW.......


and draw....


and draw...


and draw...


and draw some more...


Then I start tweaking and refining things after I take actual measurements, customizing it to my needs...and start drawing again.

The coop is still a work in progress, constantly being modified, and would like to incorporate some of these adjustable registers for ventilation. This is how I roll.




Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

 

[Bobby Basham]

I dunno about anything in the weasel family.. around here we have ringtailed cats, foxes, and stray/feral cats. Snakes may go after smaller chicks/bantam birds, but mostly eggs. My father in law has two pigeon lofts connected to each other, and he had a snake come in and eat an egg, then go through the wire and eat another egg and he found it literally trapped in the wire with the eggs in it's belly on either side of the wire. Haha!! I think your biggest concern at this point would be if stray dogs can jump the fence because they can rip that wire stuff right open. As long as your hardware cloth is attached to the frame well enough you shouldn't have to worry about raccoons or any of those other critters.
Looking forward to seeing the finished product! You may find yourself a part time job building coops for people under the table!

Not only will the hardware cloth be stapled to the frame, there will be a gazillion screws with large washers as backup, in case those staples give away. The only thing that should be able to get in there would be flies and other bugs. The run will be completely screened in from head to toe.

 

[ejcrist]

Not only will the hardware cloth be stapled to the frame, there will be a gazillion screws with large washers as backup, in case those staples give away. The only thing that should be able to get in there would be flies and other bugs. The run will be completely screened in from head to toe.

Thanks, ejcrist,

I forgot to mention about the metal trash cans, which are a definite necessity. If one has the ability to work their way around lumber and some power tools, the biggest investment beside materials is doing your own labor. I have all the power tools I need, except for one table saw I've been drooling over for thicker cuts.

I would not want to pay $400 for a teeny (possibly plastic) shed, when I can buy a few sheets of plywood, 2x4's,some hardware, caulking and roofing material. One neat gadget that I discovered is the Kreg Tool. It makes some strong joints and have used it to build several book cases. None of the cabinets are rickety and are very sturdy and I would use it when designing my nest boxes.

I LIKE TO DRAW.......


and draw....


and draw...


and draw...


and draw some more...


Then I start tweaking and refining things after I take actual measurements, customizing it to my needs...and start drawing again.

The coop is still a work in progress, constantly being modified, and would like to incorporate some of these adjustable registers for ventilation. This is how I roll.




Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Man, your drawings are a lot nicer than mine. Rembrandt I ain't for sure. You do a good job on 'em. I've always wanted the Kreg pocket joint tool but never got around to getting one. I used to make a lot of furniture back in the 90's, stuff like Queen Anne tables, etc., but I was going to school at night while working shiftwork and running my landscape company at the same time so the furniture making took a back seat. I've been itching to get back into it again and as soon as I'm done my 3rd (and last I hope) coop and run I'm planning to start doing it again. I love cabriole legs and the fine lines of Queen Anne (furniture, not the actual Queen). You just can't buy stuff like that made from pure walnut. The stuff in the stores is so cheesy it ain't funny. Hand crafted furniture costs a lot to make but it'll last several lifetimes, and that's no exaggeration. I feel like the same goes for stuff like sheds - you're definitely right on the money about that. The stuff in the store is no value whatsoever. Gosh, Tuff Sheds wanted over 7 grand to build me a 12X20 shed when I first moved to my current property. I can build one a lot better for about $3k. You're right about the labor savings. I figured their shed would be more expensive than making it myself of course but I didn't think it'd be that much more. I guess you have to figure it'll be at least double the cost of the material.

I'm getting off topic again but I wanted to say that I switched to using those screws used to attach the mesh they install when building the stucco houses for attaching hardware cloth. Those particular screws have a wide head about the size of a 3/8" washer so you might want take a look at 'em - it might save you from having to buy screws and washers. I've been using them to attach hardware cloth and they work really good. They're in the hardware aisle at Homeless Depot.