Build or Buy?

[FranciscoR]

I don't mean the memories from 2yrs exactly for her...lol These memories will be for me right now, and provide for many stories in the years to come. The coop and future stall will provide for a tangible reference points for my stories as she grows older. Now, if she DOES remember "helping out," God help us...she's a genius in hiding waiting to take over the world...

 

[ChickenCanoe]

 

[FarmerMac]

FranciscoR,
Take a lot of pictures so when she is older, she will see that she was part of the coop construction. If you decide to DIY make sure to have some help with the framing of the coop. My wife helped me when we built ours. Mind that it took over a month working in the evening after work and weekends. Sometimes I had something framed just to disassemble it and make a change to the original plan.

 

[FranciscoR]

Yeah, I don't plan on being done anytime soon. I have Grad School classes 2 nights a week (3 classes), on top of a FT job, and all my other duties as a husband, father, and general handy-man...lol Good thing is my spot where this will go is just far enough away from house that working EARLY morning (maybe as early as 5am even on workdays, would allow me a solid hour to play around. That's why I said probably all summer. I could cut all my boards in one weekend for the coop, stuff them in 16x24 barn/shed, and let them dry a few weeks. That thing gets INSANELY hot when it's hot outside, and warm even when it's cold!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Then I highly recommend you peruse the coops that people have posted here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops

Many have bill of materials and good schematics. Find what you like and customize for your needs.
Go for big since chicken math dictates that you will want more chickens.

I actually advocate multiple coops on different parts of the property. Eventually you'll want to add birds, quarantine new, sick or injured birds or have a broody hen you want to sequester.

 

[FarmerMac]

Then I highly recommend you peruse the coops that people have posted here.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops

Many have bill of materials and good schematics. Find what you like and customize for your needs.
Go for big since chicken math dictates that you will want more chickens.

I actually advocate multiple coops on different parts of the property. Eventually you'll want to add birds, quarantine new, sick or injured birds or have a broody hen you want to sequester.

X2 for other coops to add or quarantine other birds before you add them to your flock.