Building an "Old Style" henhouse.....move in day!....... (pics)

[Buster]

 

[n-da-woods]

Well I'm ready for Old man winter loosens his grip on this frigid weather so you can get back at it. This coop looks AWESOME!!! and I will stay tuned..........

 

[FrChuckW]

Steve, I thought you were going to use the smaller coop as a brooder house? If it were me, I'd keep it and use it as either a brooder house or a specialty breeding house or even a storage shed. Just some thoughts.

 

[Steve]

Quote:
Chuck, I have been back and forth on this. If I give it away to my cousin and his wife, then they will have a place to keep some chickens and I will feel good for giving something to someone that needed it. I have also thought about keeping it for a brooder, but.....my grandpa and father built a good number of barns in this county that had a roof shaped like the ace of spades. I asked my dad how they did it, and while he is still alive (84) I thought about trying my hand at duplicating what they did in the 40's, in miniature to make a totally different building, using his past expierience and knowledge on how to laminate the green wood together to make them curve. He has explained it to me many times, but I'd like to have his hand involved in it to make the transistion from grandpa, to son, to grandson.

I know, I am weird that way.....I like to hold onto my family's past. We still have my grandfathers 1926 Huber tractor.....in excellent condition.

 

[FrChuckW]

Steve, as a former fellow Michigander I can relate. Family traditions are important, and I do recall the pattern you are talking about. I remember seeing something like that somewhere as a child. My mother's family comes from the Lexington/Port Sanilac area of the state. I wish we had held onto all the farm land that they had acquired over the years. MY great Aunt Alicia used to live in the brick house that overlooked the little beach and landing and restaurant on the beach there. My great Aunt Adele was the last one to have a farm up there.

But in the meantime, I will continue to follow this thread with interest.

 

[Reinbeau]

My roots are in Michigan (born outside of Detroit and lived in Grand Rapids until I was seven). I love it out there, the farmland, the lakes, I'm following your thread too, and now you're talking about grandparents - I miss mine so much (lived in Marine City). Your coops are beautiful, I can't wait to see the
ace of spades' roof!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Steve, is there anyway you could post the progress pics on your BYC page in order? Your thoughts and simple directions would really, really help those of us considering something similar.
Your coop is fabulous! If you were closer I would shamelessly beg and bribe to get you to make me one. As it is I'll have to muddle through construction on my own!

 

[birdsofparadise]

Steve,

I know that there are some nice areas around Lansing, but how much are you going to have to charge your chickens in rent to re-coop (yuck yuck) your costs in this project?

Frankly, its so beautiful, I wouldnʻt want to let the chickens in unless they wipe their feet and put on those little cotton booties that realtors use at open houses!

Now, about the plans for the spa.... I suggest that you plant the garden with majoram, thyme and oregano just in case any of the girls spend a little too much time in the hot tub, if you know what I mean.

Great job! I wish I had the skills, time & money to duplicate it.

 

[Steve]

Quote:
Actually when it is all done Nifty-Chicken will keep it to use for future reference for any future henhouse wannahaves. It will be just pics and text in regards to the build.....( I think that is what he said) So look for it in its build stages later on in the coops section.

 

[smartlittleroo]

I have to say this has been one of the BEST topics on this forum (and there's a LOT of GOOD STUFF here!).

I love the questions and answers and the all the good humor. The coop is beautiful! Thanks to Steve for sharing this project.