Bantam coops

[aalbury]

Does any one do bantam coops? I just did my first one yesterday out of all scraps except the hinges and latch. It still needs a little trim and paint, but it's easily movable right now. I'm debating on whether to put shingles on it as that would make it significantly heavier. I am looking for an alternative that's lighter....

I need to add a light into the roost/coop area for winter - anything else I am forgetting? Suggestions would be appreciated. And any examples helpful too - I'm searching through the forum for moveable bantam coops.....The wood on top is because there is a latch on one side, but I need to get another (only bought one) for the other side and I worried a raccoon or something may be able to push up the roof....

 

[CoopCrazy]

I think its very cute... I personally dont heat my coop and we got down in the negatives a few times this last winter... I just used plastic sheeting to make the roof on my last two coops.. Very light and if you hook it with a small strip of wood under each overhang it stays put really well...

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

I have a coop for sale in the BYC auction. Feel free to look over my photos at: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=47716-jims-backyard-coop

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=339499

Building a bantam coop is not difficult, just time consuming. Yours is looking good. Consider sheet roofing or plastic roofing at Lowes. Low price and light weight. Lowes has an outdoor light fixture for less than $5. I would also add lawn mower wheels to one end so you move it easier.

 

[aalbury]

So you think this will work?

Thanks! No light? Really? I imagine I could move the water inside, but it would probably still freeze. I can always move them back into the barn, but I thought they'd enjoy being out here. My horses no longer are allowed in the paddock either!

 

[aalbury]

Oh Jim that is really nifty - do you think I should go taller (more bantams in the barn in need of getting out) ?

I have more to build!

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Most bantams only need about 12" of head room. It is us humans that need the room. At 4' tall, my bantam coop allows me to enter, just can't stand up. On the large fowl coop I built for a friend, I went 6' tall. But then she has exhibtion Buff Orpingtons. We left 36" under the nest/roost box and 36" inside the nest/roost box. The entry to the roost is 18x26' hopefully it is large enough. With each coop you learn more and make minor changes.

 

[aalbury]

Thanks Jim! I wish you were closer! $300 is a really good price for that coop!

 

[columbiacritter]

My Bantam coop, not done yet.

 

[aalbury]

That is so cute! Did you use a plan?

I bought a book of plans, but found they were really lacking in a lot of things, but it did give me some ideas....

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

I just took several photos, laid them on my work table and started. Decided I wanted a 4x8 and that I needed 4' hieght. So I built a 4x8x4 box. But a stud in every 24 ". Closed up on end. Really easy. Of course i do have some carpentry skills.