Build Mentor in Texas?

[stephanie@sunshineacrestx]

Hi! I'm just a girl with visions of chicken coop grandure with NO building skills + limited funds for pre done coops. I want to get my hands dirty, and I'm not afraid of hard work. I also own zero tools and wouldn't know how to use them. I am married but I am probably more handy around the house than he. Lol!

I'd love a mentor. Maybe someone I can help to build my coop so I can learn. Does anyone know where I'd find someone like this?

If not, any words of advice or nuggets of wisdom from those who were once in my shoes

 

[STxChickenman]

I am in the process of building a coop/run. I am learning that you can make it more like a condo than a coop or vice versa. It all depends on how much that you want to put into building the coop with materials and effort. Buying the basic necessities can get expensive if you're building is going to be well built and grandiose.

I'm trying to build a very strong coop that will be strong enough to protect my flock and keep them comfortable. My build is intended for twenty to thirty chickens total and the size is probably about right for that number. The coop itself will be enclosed in the run and will be around 15 ft by 7 1/2 ft in size. The outer measurements of entire coop/run will be 31 ft. by 15 ft.

Here is a pic of the outer shell of the building up to now. Weather and a couple of setbacks have kept me from progressing as fast as I would like. Good luck with your project. I'm in South Texas on Baffin Bay and might be able to offer some pointers as I move forward with my build. It's a learning process as you move along.

 

[Michael P]

Where do you live in Texas? If you are in the warmer parts of the state (DFW and farther south) your coop can be very simple. My coops are prefabricated chain link dog kennels from Home Depot. They are 6' tall and covered with corrugated sheet metal roofing. In winter I put tarps on the north and west sides of the coops to protect the birds from wind. I've raised many breeds in these coops, including Modern Game bantams which are among the most sensitive to cold.

These are very strong and predator resistant, except for very small predators that can get through chain link. If needed, I cover the outside of the chain link with hardware cloth of finer mesh. So far, 1" mesh has been effective for me, and I have opossums, raccoons, hawks, owls, coyotes, and bobcats in my neighborhood. I also have a guard dog, and he is a great extra deterrent.

Keep it simple, and make it big.

 

[stephanie@sunshineacrestx]

I am in the process of building a coop/run. I am learning that you can make it more like a condo than a coop or vice versa. It all depends on how much that you want to put into building the coop with materials and effort. Buying the basic necessities can get expensive if you're building is going to be well built and grandiose.

I'm trying to build a very strong coop that will be strong enough to protect my flock and keep them comfortable. My build is intended for twenty to thirty chickens total and the size is probably about right for that number. The coop itself will be enclosed in the run and will be around 15 ft by 7 1/2 ft in size. The outer measurements of entire coop/run will be 31 ft. by 15 ft.

Here is a pic of the outer shell of the building up to now. Weather and a couple of setbacks have kept me from progressing as fast as I would like. Good luck with your project. I'm in South Texas on Baffin Bay and might be able to offer some pointers as I move forward with my build. It's a learning process as you move along.
View attachment 1206488

That looks awesome! I'm thinking I want to plan for larger than my 6 hens I plan to start with that way I have a little growing room. I'm thinking of building for 12-15 maybe. I'm also south but in the Galveston area. I'd love to see progress photos as you go!!

 

[stephanie@sunshineacrestx]

Where do you live in Texas? If you are in the warmer parts of the state (DFW and farther south) your coop can be very simple. My coops are prefabricated chain link dog kennels from Home Depot. They are 6' tall and covered with corrugated sheet metal roofing. In winter I put tarps on the north and west sides of the coops to protect the birds from wind. I've raised many breeds in these coops, including Modern Game bantams which are among the most sensitive to cold.

These are very strong and predator resistant, except for very small predators that can get through chain link. If needed, I cover the outside of the chain link with hardware cloth of finer mesh. So far, 1" mesh has been effective for me, and I have opossums, raccoons, hawks, owls, coyotes, and bobcats in my neighborhood. I also have a guard dog, and he is a great extra deterrent.

Keep it simple, and make it big.

I'd love to see a photo if you have one! I'm down by Galveston so definitely warm here!

 

[STxChickenman]

Just an idea, but if you have a trailer you could probably find lots of "free" lumber down around Rockport, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi or maybe even in the Houston area from storm debris.

 

[stephanie@sunshineacrestx]

Just an idea, but if you have a trailer you could probably find lots of "free" lumber down around Rockport, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi or maybe even in the Houston area from storm debris.

No trailer either :-( Its on our "Will probably need ..." list. Lol!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hi! I'm just a girl with visions of chicken coop grandure with NO building skills + limited funds for pre done coops. I want to get my hands dirty, and I'm not afraid of hard work. I also own zero tools and wouldn't know how to use them. I am married but I am probably more handy around the house than he. Lol!

I'd love a mentor. Maybe someone I can help to build my coop so I can learn. Does anyone know where I'd find someone like this?

If not, any words of advice or nuggets of wisdom from those who were once in my shoes

First would love to be of help here at least online I am in Washington state
grew up with a carpenter Dad very skilled first question how many birds do you want to have..

 

[stephanie@sunshineacrestx]

First would love to be of help here at least online I am in Washington state
grew up with a carpenter Dad very skilled first question how many birds do you want to have..

Thanks!! 6 to start but eventually 12.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Look at what @STxChickenman has done so far as it can be covered in wood or metal if you can start with say 12 x 12 that way you do not have cut as many boards or sheeting of sizes you can buy and they will be large enough for the birds you want