I started my chicken experience in September 2019 when I received 7 ISA Hybrids as 19 week old ready to lay pullets. In early October my sister hatched eight Ameraucana mix chicks from eggs she brought to me from a friend on Vancouver Island. From these eight I ended up with four pullets and a cockerel giving me a total of 12 birds that today give me 8-11 eggs per day and a great deal of pleasure from watching, caring and eating a variety of egg dishes that I find in books, online or through experimentation.
The pleasures I received led to an interest in White Chanteclers a breed originally developed by a Trappist monk in Oka Quebec. These are the one of two APA registered Canadian breeds and was the first being developed in the period 1908-1918 and registered in 1921. Reasons for my interest include:
While pondering this move I realized that I would either have to get rid of Lestor my current male (a magnificent gentleman who manages his ladies extremely well while first checking things out then standing back while they dig in) OR build another coop to segregate the Chanteclers so as to maintain their purity of breed. I have chosen the latter course and will build a second, smaller 8' by 12' Woods KD style coop to match my current larger (10' by 16') one.
There will however be a major departure: I will build the new coop on a converted camper trailer so that it is both moveable and easily transportable should I ever decide to sell it. Not my idea, I must credit @ColoradoPip for that.
To accomplish this I have been watching Kijiji for an appropriate ``platform``. I have looked at house trailer axles and at both old camping and utility trailers for something CHEAP! Patience pays off.
A back neighbour was up for the first time this year and I stopped over to say hello. In conversation I told him of my intentions where upon he asked if I had "looked at the trailer leaning against the tree outside?". I had not so we go outside and have a look.
It is PERFECT platform for the build:
I have previously purchased all the 1" by 6" pine boards and 2" by 1/2" battens. Today I ordered 6`by 6`hemlock beams for the major structural base and the 2" by 3" framing materials. Now on the prowl for used roofing tin that I will prime and paint in bright red. Target cost is under $1000 Canadian!!
The pleasures I received led to an interest in White Chanteclers a breed originally developed by a Trappist monk in Oka Quebec. These are the one of two APA registered Canadian breeds and was the first being developed in the period 1908-1918 and registered in 1921. Reasons for my interest include:
- OKA is about 2 hours from me;
- The breed was developed to be "Canada hardy" and are well suited to our cold winter climate;
- I like the idea of contributing to the preservation of a heritage breed.
- They are said to be a well behaved friendly bird;
- They are good "dual purpose" birds that provide ~two large eggs every 3 days with hens growing close to 5lbs and roosters much larger..
While pondering this move I realized that I would either have to get rid of Lestor my current male (a magnificent gentleman who manages his ladies extremely well while first checking things out then standing back while they dig in) OR build another coop to segregate the Chanteclers so as to maintain their purity of breed. I have chosen the latter course and will build a second, smaller 8' by 12' Woods KD style coop to match my current larger (10' by 16') one.
- Looks will be identical using board and batten in white pine with bright red metal roof;
- New coop will also be elevated off the ground;
- Wall heights will remain the same as the larger coop so the smaller coop will also be a walk-in;
- Interior layout will also mimic the larger coop:
- identical nest boxes
- equal height 2" by 4" roosts
- drop boards 30" off the floor allowing for use underneath as a brooder space to facilitate early chick integration.
There will however be a major departure: I will build the new coop on a converted camper trailer so that it is both moveable and easily transportable should I ever decide to sell it. Not my idea, I must credit @ColoradoPip for that.
To accomplish this I have been watching Kijiji for an appropriate ``platform``. I have looked at house trailer axles and at both old camping and utility trailers for something CHEAP! Patience pays off.
A back neighbour was up for the first time this year and I stopped over to say hello. In conversation I told him of my intentions where upon he asked if I had "looked at the trailer leaning against the tree outside?". I had not so we go outside and have a look.
It is PERFECT platform for the build:
- 7' by 10' steel frame with another 5 feet of "V" and tow hitch on the front
- Torsion hubs with wheels and good tires below the frame so no intrusions into the coop area
- Solid, well built
- Drop down stabilizing legs on all four corners
- AND FREE!!!!
I have previously purchased all the 1" by 6" pine boards and 2" by 1/2" battens. Today I ordered 6`by 6`hemlock beams for the major structural base and the 2" by 3" framing materials. Now on the prowl for used roofing tin that I will prime and paint in bright red. Target cost is under $1000 Canadian!!
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