Building a coop and run

[LindaNL]

We've moved from Colorado to Massachusetts 2 months ago. Luckily we were able to take the 4 chickens that we took care of for the last 4 years with us (we rented a place on a small hobby farm, and the chickens were mostly there for the eggs). We thought, ok, we will build this thing in 2 weeks max. We will order a shed from tuff shed, to up the speed. Now, 2 months later, and with a husband working full time, we are still working on that thing and the chickens are still occupying the garage (and small space outside of it).

It all began with this drawing:

 

[LindaNL]

We ordered wood, and stained it. We started to make deep holes (there are lots or rocks in the ground, so some are not that deep) to put the pressure treated beams in. We cut the beams, so the roofing wood could rest on it easily. Everything is secured with screws. The beams are spaces 3', so the 3' hardwear cloth could fit easily.




When the tuff shed was installed, we decided to repaint the whole thing: red and white.

 

[LindaNL]

At first we planned to add a plastic roof, but we decided to return it and make our first 'real' roof. So we got some boards, dripedge, roofing underlayment and some shingles. I guess this was the most rewarding part so far!

 

[LindaNL]

And to make it preditor proof, we made a skirt. We used 4' hardwear cloth, and put 2' above the ground and 2' bended under the grass.

 

[LindaNL]

The back of the run, to keep some of the wind out..

 

[LindaNL]

STILL IN PROGRESS!!

I will add some more pictures later!

 

[Ted_Harrell]

That is one huge coop, how many will be in there? plus it is so nicely built, I am envious.

 

[aart]

Awesome!!
So most of that will be a run?
Any plans for snow loads?
I strongly suggest a very long plastic roof rake.

 

[LindaNL]

@aart : Yes, most of it will be a run and will be covered with hardware cloth (so that we don't need a building permit, however, I think we should have had a building permit after all.....). A plastic roof rake, that's a good idea! We also thought about a leaf blower to get it off, not sure if that will work.

@Ted_Harrell : There will only be 4 in it, haha. Maybe we will get 2 or 4 more, but not yet...

 

[Ted_Harrell]