Built a Catawba Coop (pics)

[nursemeh]

thanks for sharing the website and all the pictures.
I am working out plans for my first coop. this looks like just what I needed.
after building this for about $175, are there any tips/advice you can give on keeping it at or under that cost? what about rain protection? is the wood treated/waterproofed?

how many chickens/square footage is this coop?
thanks!

 

[psrumors]

I wouldn't put more than 2 full size chickens in. It needs to be stained or painted to protect it from the elements. The sides are made out of treated lumber and they held up good the ends though are untreated and have swelled.

It is a nice coop and a nice desine but I would never try to keep 4 chickens as advertised.

Tips for keeping cost down? The only thing would be to do is recycle some wood. There are no corners to cut and paint or stain will add to the price.

 

[Anny]

very nice looking coop!

 

[Mahonri]

This would also make a great "isolation coop" for separation from other birds... broody mama with chicks, etc...

 

[psrumors]

Quote:
This is what we are using ours for now.

 

[JacobyO]

I built one of these as well. I used treated wood for the roof and then treated the rest with boiled linseed oil. I will be moving our 4 chicks to this soon. I have seen people raising 4 chickens in this but I am already figuring I might be building a larger coop soon. Plus we want to add a few more chickens eventually. I will post some pics when I move the ladies out.

 

[drewva]

We bought a prefab coop exactly like this, only larger - I didn't have the time to do all the construction work - so far we are really happy.
see: http://HandcraftedCoops.com

 

[chickencoop13]

that looks very nice!

 

[KansasKate]

I have 4 full-sized birds in this and it seems a little less than roomy downstairs, once you get the feeder and waterer in there (and the ramp is down). We plan to build a run. It is, however, plenty roomy in the roost area.

 

[larsonll]

Ok, so I am a newbie to chicken raising as well as a newbie to a miter saw. My husband completely opposed my desire to raise chickens, so he really didn't help me build this catawba coop...at all. The instructions were excellent for someone who was terrified of the miter saw at first. I graduated to the jig saw and then the circular saw to rip a few small boards. I was able to build this over about 4 weekends with many mistakes I had to redo. Remember that I am a 40ish working mom with little woodworking skills, but my desire for backyard layers prevailed.

The coop is in the back yard, with no rain to date, so I can't comment on the waterfastnes, and the chicks are in the brooder. I'll post more when the girls get in there. But I'm very happy with it. We live in the city with a little over an acre lot, so this seems perfect until I can convince hubby we need a bigger coop....

Afraid about the whole free ranging thing because I think I will need a bigger run now.