build a coop? or kit?

[drobbins_pdr]

No leaks, it has new roof. The usable portion... The left side has had a flood problem in the past because its a little lower and closer to the pond...is about 12 ft to the door wide and about 20 feet deep. But I don't want to go into the barn that deep. I though maybe the 12 ft width by about 4-6 feet deep? Then I could build an access door inside the barn to get in and out of the coop for cleaning?

 

[Anny]

Welcome to wonderful world of chickens.

I'm planning on building my coop inside my garage, it's going to be small and only take up a little corner of the garage. With the run outside the garage.

I feel this will be cheaper since the walls are already there are 2 sides of the coop, and it's a nice solid structure which is safe for the chickens. I'm only planning on having 4 chickens.

You should take alook through some of the nice coops on this website. People have made all kinds. You can easy make your own portable coop on wheels as well, there are plans for them all over the internet.

Good luck!

 

[drobbins_pdr]

Thanks Annie,
I hope I can get it all worked out so I can at least start!
I know my nieces and nephews are dying to get started.
I'm the only one with enough land to have any livestock even though we all live in the same town.
I think I want to start with older chickens first. Then when I know we can care for them properly I'll think about chicks next spring.

 

[poopcoop]

See you already know what you want!! That is a very good size. An 8x10 or 6X12 can easily hold 20+. Just make sure that you make the cleaning door opposite from the side the run is on. My Run is 25' Squared and cost me around $175 to build. I have around $300 in the coop itself. $475 total. You could even let them free roam inside the barn and put some chicken wire over the double window and put a perch on the inside.

 

[drobbins_pdr]

Ok! I'm just going to start and work through any issues that come up.
I'll let you all know how it goes.
I'll be back with questions.
Thanks

 

[tomdeggeater]

You could use a best corner of the barn, South or West, hang nest boxes on one wall, fence in that square or rectangle, or triangle.
Cut an outside hatch with vertical or horizontal sliding door and ramp.
Get a chicken-lovin dog that can call the barn home for predator control.
Could frame it with 1" x 4", or slabs from a sawmill. Have to make a door through the chicken wire (frame it in) for human access/cleaning.
Sounds Ideal to me, even better if someone has a chainsaw and can skin the framing from old fall downs.
A little plywood, some wire, and it's completely do-able for $50 or less. (Not counting the fuel costs these days)
Best of luck, wish I could be doing it alongside you (I just love building things...)
Good Luck, Tom ;<D

 

[drobbins_pdr]

Hey Tom,
Your from my neck of the woods. I'm in Enfield, Ct.
I have a free range dog but I think when he meets the chickens he will be the one running. He is a "chicken"

I saw some great ideas on the web site to get started. I have lots of leftover lumber in the barn already...I dont think my husband will miss it

We'll see how it goes....

 

[chickachickawhat]

hey tom and drobbins im from canton ct. i got my chickens at flamig farm in west simsbury

 

[chickachickawhat]

hey drobbins was your barn and old tobacco barn be cause that was big back in the day

 

[drobbins_pdr]

I dont think so. The old tobacco barns used to have the walls open up didn't they? when the tobacco needed to be dried?
This one was built but I don't know when. My husband and I just fixed it up a little and the teenagers used to hang out in there until they grew up and moved on. Now my husband is just finishing building his work shop...I call it the "man cave" so all the stuff in the barn and garage will be out! Thus the space for my chickens!