I thought I had a year to build a coop and ended up buying chickens ....the next day
While looking on Craigslist for "things" to build a coop with I found a 6'x6'x6' used coop for $70. I couldn't pass it up and bought it sight unseen. I figured that even if it ended up temporary until I could build my dream coop it was worth the $. The walls had been removed prior to pick up so we didn't see it until we reassembled it. (made washing/bleaching it easier while in pieces) It was well marked and the nail holes lined up. The problem is that it doesn't have a single straight wall or square corner. Not one edge lines up. I'm sure the bottom shifted some in transition. Putting it back together was like a bad comedy routine. Square one side by having two people shove on the opposite corner hurry and tighten things up and the other end would pop up two inches. Then I decide to put one of the doors on the other side and it sat an inch too low using the original holes. After awhile you start saying "no problem, it's good enough". I just wanted it DONE! (please don't laugh...
we are not carpenters)
It was red with pink patches
. I've painted the inside white. Once it is complete we will paint the exterior to match the shed (hopefully the misalignment's wont show as much lol
) Other than the HUGE chicken door there was no ventilation. I added a used window (it opens) and two floor vents from the rebuilding center. (I wish I could remember who mentioned using the floor vents, thank you!!!) First question - Is this enough ventilation? Should I screen off part of the chicken door? Or close it in? The entire coop will be inside of a "safe" run so the two front doors can stay open in the summer.
Because of the warping and non-square corners there are a few 1/4" gaps at the top of the walls. Do I leave this as mini ventilation
or caulk it? Does caulk on the inside mater up this high or do I need to do it all from the out side? The vents will be trimmed in wood.
Once it's finished, the raspberry plants will be removed and the coop will be moved up against the side of the shed (I tried to talk DH into just letting me use the shed as a coop
I thought it was good idea...he didn't, lol) The run will extend the length of the shed (12') and out 15' with a solid roof (same as shed) 7 1/2 feet in front sloping to 6 1/2 in back. We get a LOT of rain. So the full run in front of the coop will be 12x9 with access to one side and under the coop (eventually free ranging during the day). The egg door will be accessed with out going into the run.
It was red with pink patches
) Other than the HUGE chicken door there was no ventilation. I added a used window (it opens) and two floor vents from the rebuilding center. (I wish I could remember who mentioned using the floor vents, thank you!!!) First question - Is this enough ventilation? Should I screen off part of the chicken door? Or close it in? The entire coop will be inside of a "safe" run so the two front doors can stay open in the summer.
Because of the warping and non-square corners there are a few 1/4" gaps at the top of the walls. Do I leave this as mini ventilation
Once it's finished, the raspberry plants will be removed and the coop will be moved up against the side of the shed (I tried to talk DH into just letting me use the shed as a coop
