Barn into open air coop conversion

[henless]

We did some work on the coop over the weekend. We didn't get a lot done, but any progress is still progress!



It was supposed to be a nice day Saturday, but it turned out dreary and misty. I was able to finished hauling in the dirt for the coop floor before it started raining.




Woke up Sunday to cold and rain. We did manage to do some more framing until we rain out of 2x4's and the cold started feeling colder. Going to have to make another trip to Lowe's for some more lumber.




This is what we have completed so far. Still a ways to go, but looking more like a coop. This may be as far as we get for a week or so. Valentines is coming up and I'll be helping at the flower shop and DH has a fishing tournament that weekend.

I'll post more as we progress. Thanks for looking!

 

[henless]

DH and I were able to make some progress Sunday morning on our coop.



We got the nesting boxes almost complete. I still need to cut the front of the bins for easier access. The bottom half of the dutch doors is up.

My next project will be the roost. It will be located to the left of the nests. I've decided to put hardwire cloth above the nests instead of osb. I can put a tarp/plastic up during the winter if needed.



This is the back of the nesting boxes, closed. Nothing fancy, but they function how I wanted.




This is how they look open. The six inch board is plenty of room to slid my hand in for the eggs without worry of anyone/thing getting out when I open them.




We've got the wire up all along the bottom part of the coop/run now. Plan on putting the rest up this weekend and finishing the top half of the dutch door.



Since the nesting boxes are in the barn aisle, they will be out of direct sunlight and I don't have to worry about the weather.

I will update more as we progress.

 

[aart]

Nice Job!!!
I tell ya, it's darn nice to gather eggs without poop on your shoes or rain/snow on your head!!!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Looks spectacular! Good job!

 

[henless]

Nice Job!!!
I tell ya, it's darn nice to gather eggs without poop on your shoes or rain/snow on your head!!!

Tell me! This will be my first time as an adult with chickens, but I sure enjoyed that barn with the horses. We had 4 stalls, tack room and a hay stall and that big middle aisle. Can't tell you how many times I got stuck there in a down pour, but didn't get wet while feeding, LOL

Looks spectacular! Good job!

Thanks! It's coming along slowly, but it looks loads better than when we started. I can't wait until it is totally finished and I actually have some chicks in there.

 

[henless]

Well, the coop portion is finished. All the wire is up, I just have to go back and finish screwing in the screws/washers. I'm trying to decide if I should paint it or not. If I do, it will just be the roosting/nesting area.




So far, my favorite thing with this coop is the door. Having dutch doors will be very handy I believe.







Now it's time to work on the roost and brooder. I will be placing the brooder underneath the roost on the North wall. I will be making a second roost along the West wall. Thinking about putting water/feed there. There will be poop boards under the roosts.

I'm hoping to get the brooder finished in a couple of weeks. I have 15 baby chicks in my watermelon box in the shop!




I love the chicks. They are so cute! I tried to get a variety of colors so that I would have a rainbow flock. I wasn't able to get Wyandottes or Orpingtons. I'll have to get them next time.

 

[debgal]

You have done such a fantastic job on your coop!!!!! I am just amazed at how creative everyone here is!!! Awesome COOP !!!!!!

 

[henless]

You have done such a fantastic job on your coop!!!!! I am just amazed at how creative everyone here is!!! Awesome COOP !!!!!!

Thanks! It was a lot of work, but I'm glad we decided to do this. I need to add up my receipts to see what we have spent, but it was much cheaper than buying one already done.

 

[henless]

I did a bit of work on the coop this weekend. I've decided to go ahead and paint the interior, to make cleaning easier. I hope it's easier. Painting osb is a pain in the hiney!!

Saturday I was able to go out and put some Kilz up on the interior walls. I did the back wall and part of both sides. This is where I will be putting the first roost up and the under roost brooder. I will only be painting the "coop" area. I'm leaving the rest as is.



It was nice and warm Saturday, 79 degrees. I went back on Sunday and used a white exterior semi gloss paint. Before I could get half way finished, the cold front came through. Started out at 68 degrees, dropped to 45 degrees within 20 min. I figured I would take a pic of the paint job later this week.

We're hoping to do the roost and brooder this weekend.

 

[aart]

It will make it easier to clean for sure, glop it on good to fill the voids, it will also brighten it up in there making it easier to see and expand/spread the supplemental light if you use it in winter.