Charming Chicken House

[JanetS]

It looks great!! How many chickens do you have?

 

[Chick Charm]

I have 13. However this coolp is for my family in Michigan. They want 6 hens. This cool with hold 6-8. I will make the run later this weekend.

 

[kdmenig]

Hello, it looks great. Do you happen to have measurements or plans? I'm in a similar boat in that I have 2 shipping crates I'm pulling wood from, but I love your design. So clean and epic.

Anyway, if you don't, I'll just try to copy your design. We might be trying to add some space for a bunny in ours and I like how both sides of yours open up.

 

[Chick Charm]

I didn't draw up any plans on this one due to the fact I was limited on available lumber from the shed and pallets.

The bottom is basically 4X4. So that is my footprint. I tried to make sure the doors could fit full sized chickens.

 

[Chick Charm]

Oh yeah and welcome to BYC!

 

[kdmenig]

Thanks. And I appreciate the help. That's a good place to start...the footprint. I look forward to seeing the run.

One of the crates I have has boards and one is mainly plywood. It will be interesting to see what I can use off them.

Thanks again.

 

[Chick Charm]

This has mostly 45* angle cuts on it for the lids and roof. I would encourage building to the size of chickens wanted and or materials you have available.

 

[Chick Charm]

I used the bottom of a pallet skid to cap the cedar roofing. I cut 45* angles on the inside to match the roofline then used 22.5* cuts to mill the top. It was free and looks like it was made for this coop.

 

[birdsoutback]

Cedar is not very good for birds. I use all pine for construction and bedding supplies. Especially in a confined area. I have a heat lamp in mine. If the area is enclosed and you have cedar adding heat can make it worse. The birds have trouble breathing from cedar products.

 

[Chick Charm]

External Cedar roofing presents no ill effects on chickens whatsoever in any fashion.

Cedar shavings or dust particulate can have an effect on a chickens resperitory system. But there is no off gassing or flying particles from natural cedar on a roof that presents any problems with chickens. Understanding that no cedar exists inside this coop and the cedar roof that does exist is laid over a poly barrier on the outside will hopefully put your mind at ease.

Wish ya the best.