Authentic Woods KD (Knock Down) 10' by 16' Coop Build

[Ted Brown]

Now that you know how to sift s**t, we can get back to your build!

Today's accomplishments:

1. BIL worked on attaching battens on the outside of the coop, almost finished;
2. My sister emptied the temporary cage of pine mulch and moved it beside the area underneath the coop; will spread it underneath as I will attach HC around the outside and build a pop door and ramp so they have run part 1.
3. I put the blue waterproof breathable membrane on the back roof as it is forecast to rain tomorrow morning.

 

[MiaS]

@aart My sister and BIL made a trip to Ogdensburg NY (right on Canada-US border and about 2 hours from where I live). They bought the BJ57 at Lowes and two bags of Sweet PDZ (granulated I think) from Tractor Supply Co (neither available easily in my area).

They loved TSC, spent near on a couple of hours browsing.

Neither could be found here either. Trip to Washington fixed the PDZ but I bought a different rubberized paint when building. Canada eh?!

 

[Kiki]

Long delay, paying work and a broken tractor (needed to lift wall sections into place) can do that to one. I have sixteen fertilized eggs arriving with my sister early Tuesday morning and seven 19 week ready to lay hens arriving Friday. I would have delayed on getting birds but I am running out of runway weather wise, already cooling off quickly here.

Much left to do...

I have built the foundation (one side beam yet to put in place but needed access for the tractor to erect walls) and am started on coop wall assembly.

Plan is to enclose the space under the coop with 1/2" hardware cloth. Initally this will be the run space but I will add another 12' by 12' space immediately adjacent to the coop as soon as it is finished.

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@aart Thanks.
I've got a lot of catching up to do.

 

[Ted Brown]

More bits of progress.

I made a double nest box (inside dimensions 24"Width by 12"Depth by 18"Height); will start with it being open inside, may divide in half if things do not work out. Did a rolling egg floor @ 14 degree slope, will buffer lower side with extra straw if needed.

Spent 15 minutes making a larger dust bath with deeper walls (14") to try to contain the sand/ash. I started to cut a plastic 55 gallon barrel with the jig saw, my BIL said "What about handles?". I quickly said no but then gave it a moment's thought as I looked at how I would lift it and just as quickly changed my mind. I love it, brilliant idea!

 

[Folly's place]

It's wonderful!!! I want one too...
Do you have a good lock on the people door? Something to keep critters out?
Mary

 

[Ted Brown]

It's wonderful!!! I want one too...
Do you have a good lock on the people door? Something to keep critters out?
Mary

The absolute best lock money can't buy! Short piece of 1" by 3" with a 3 1/2" screw on one end and a 2nd one to lock it. Even raccoons can't beat it even though I leave a screw driver right there.

(Need to get into town and buy something more appropriate.)

 

[aart]

That nest rolls from one side to the other..without a segregated landing area??

 

[Ted Brown]

That nest rolls from one side to the other..without a segregated landing area??

The "rolling nest" was recommended by my sister's landlady; she keeps over 100 layers, is now raising meat birds plus sheep, turkeys, geese, ducks; has been keeping chickens for 7+ years.

She said the tilted bottom (removable in my case) causes the eggs to roll to the front, reduces breakage and makes collecting easier. Lots of examples on YouTube. The eggs do not roll to an area outside of the nest proper. (I hope I have interpreted your question correctly.)

I am certain you have thoughts on this, would welcome hearing them.

 

[aart]

She said the tilted bottom (removable in my case) causes the eggs to roll to the front, reduces breakage and makes collecting easier. Lots of examples on YouTube. The eggs do not roll to an area outside of the nest proper. (I hope I have interpreted your question correctly.)

Right but egg usually land in a place not accessible to the birds...maybe you're not done building?

 

[Ted Brown]

Right but egg usually land in a place not accessible to the birds...maybe you're not done building?

I am confused. I am not planning on having the hens brood so not certain why they need to be accessible to them; but the eggs will remain in the area where they lay (at the front if it works) until collected so should be accessible.