Building coop and run, have a few questions.

[Lpsouth1978]

Give us pictures of the coop as it is today. Maybe we can come up with some simple modifications. Cheaper now than next summer with a complete rebuild.
Adding some solar powered roof fans will help move the hottest air under the roof too.

I won't be home until after dark tonight, so I can't get pics until tomorrow, but this is basically what the coop looks like right now. Just imagine it without the roof on yet or the door on the side. it sits 24" off the ground and will have hardware cloth around the base (not including the side facing the run).

The run will be built using pressure treated 4x4's with a base and top made from pressure treated 2x4's and will also be completely covered in hardware cloth.

I ordered a 12'x16' patio shade cloth to secure on top of the run. I am hopeful that it will be thick enough to keep most rain out of the coop, but may line the first 4' of the run with painted plywood or the wall board we are covering the coop in.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

We got a few hours of work in on the coop and run. We should finish the build tomorrow, then we just need to caulk/seal everything and paint.

This is where things were @ when we started.

More progress:

And where we stopped for the day:

First order of business tomorrow will be getting the roof built, then attaching the rest of the siding, followed by building the door to the run, and finally covering the whole run in the hardware cloth.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Well, it has been almost 2 weeks since I last updated and a lot has happened since then. We have basically completed the build of the coop and run. We moved the chicks into it yesterday and they seem to be doing well so far. They have not ventured out into the run yet, but have the freedom to whenever they feel confident enough to do so.

The only things left to do are finish painting the exterior, mount the roosting bars, and finish securing the shade cloth (once the paint is done). Here are a few pics of the build and the chicks in the coop.

 

[Lpsouth1978]

And here is a short video of them.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Thank you for the info. I have actually already read through both of those articles. Unfortunately, we do not have any shade trees or structures to help with cooling. We can certainly still make some changed to the coop, like swapping out the clear plastic for the roof and putting a white plastic instead, and/or removing some/all of a wall and replacing it with hardware cloth to accommodate better cooling. I may also need to add a misting system around the perimeter of the run.

Luckily, things are starting to cool here, so we have some time to figure out the cooling of the run, but need to make changes to the coop now, while it is still being built.


This is good info. We are planning on a deep bed of shavings, but would like easy clean up of the floor and protection from rotting.


Most of our "monsoon" storms seem to be short downpours. It will rain buckets but is usually done in 30-60 minutes, and usually in the evening. The winds are Typically much more damaging than the rains. We are also planning plenty of roosting space, probably in the 18-20ft range, using several roosting bars.


I think that if we build a lip around the skylights and seal (Caulk) them properly, we can keep rain from entering the coop through the sky lights.

Thank you all for the help and recommendations!! Keep them coming.

Lpsouth, hi! I think while gathering your knowledge, its important to take tips from successful chicken keepers that live in the same zone or location as you. I am in CT and would be very mindful not to take coop advice/keeping from someone, say, in AZ. This will help you narrow your specifics and needs. I wish you all the best. Oh, also, I have linolium on top of plywood with 5 inches of hemp bedding. It has worked for me for almost 2 years, but, again I dont think we have similar weather patterns/setting of coop in relation to weather/wind..... I was worried about moisture getting underneath, but so far have had no issues. fingers crossed. Good Luck! I hope your flock thrives and thrives <3

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Well, it has been almost 2 weeks since I last updated and a lot has happened since then. We have basically completed the build of the coop and run. We moved the chicks into it yesterday and they seem to be doing well so far. They have not ventured out into the run yet, but have the freedom to whenever they feel confident enough to do so.

The only things left to do are finish painting the exterior, mount the roosting bars, and finish securing the shade cloth (once the paint is done). Here are a few pics of the build and the chicks in the coop.

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Wow! Nice and fresh fresh! Good luck!

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Thanks for the kind words. Three weeks have passed since my last post in this thread. I have actually posted in the Arizona section and started a new thread there, so this one has not been updated in a while. All of the chickens are doing very well and growing like weeds. It has been confirmed that we have at least one cockerel, but I worry there may be more. It is still a bit soon to know for sure. All of the chickens are starting to warm up to us more and are now willing to eat from our hands. All we need to do now is get them trained to drink from the water nipples so they will have a constant source of fresh water. The nipples are plumbed using PVC and attached to a hose. It will be nice to not have to fill and clean the bucket constantly.

We are eagerly awaiting the day that we can start harvesting eggs, but we still have 10-14 weeks before that is expected. It is amazing how much they have grown in the first 6 weeks of life!

Here are a few pics of them, taken a few days ago. If anyone can tell the breeds, that would be great! I only know the Easter Egger and suspect a few Buff Orpingtons and maybe a couple Bar Rocks. Beyond that, I have no idea.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Thanks for the kind words. Three weeks have passed since my last post in this thread. I have actually posted in the Arizona section and started a new thread there, so this one has not been updated in a while. All of the chickens are doing very well and growing like weeds. It has been confirmed that we have at least one cockerel, but I worry there may be more. It is still a bit soon to know for sure. All of the chickens are starting to warm up to us more and are now willing to eat from our hands. All we need to do now is get them trained to drink from the water nipples so they will have a constant source of fresh water. The nipples are plumbed using PVC and attached to a hose. It will be nice to not have to fill and clean the bucket constantly.

We are eagerly awaiting the day that we can start harvesting eggs, but we still have 10-14 weeks before that is expected. It is amazing how much they have grown in the first 6 weeks of life!

Here are a few pics of them, taken a few days ago. If anyone can tell the breeds, that would be great! I only know the Easter Egger and suspect a few Buff Orpingtons and maybe a couple Bar Rocks. Beyond that, I have no idea.

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Oh my......i know what they ALL are!!! They are called speckled spectacular, adorable, precious and perfect breed chickens. And wow, thats some super fresh bedding

 

[Lpsouth1978]

Oh my......i know what they ALL are!!! They are called speckled spectacular, adorable, precious and perfect breed chickens. And wow, thats some super fresh bedding

Yeah, the bedding is only 3 weeks old and they don't spend much time in the coop the coop these days. No doubt it wont stay that way for long.

 

[Percheron chick]

Here are a few pics of them, taken a few days ago. If anyone can tell the breeds, that would be great! I only know the Easter Egger and suspect a few Buff Orpingtons and maybe a couple Bar Rocks. Beyond that, I have no idea.

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What I'm seeing is the first one is your cockerel. Production red most likely. Very hard to differentiate between the red single comb breeds even side by side. Don't see any EE or buff Orpington. The lavender/grey single comb appear to be lavender Orpington or Sapphire gem. Might have a blue wyandotte depending upon comb.The silver penciled, I don't know. If it has a single comb could be a Plymouth rock if you ordered assorted brown layers. Nice unusual addition. Production red pullet. Then you finish out with a silver laced wyandotte and a barred rock. Nice selection.