Chicken coop (mostly) done, starting on run. PICS

[bobbi-j]

Well, I finished my chicken coop today - except for roost and nest boxes - and put my hen and her chicks in it. The building itself is 12'x8' with a 4'x8' storage and feed room, and 8'x8' living space. The run will be 12'x16' and 6' high. It will have 2x4" welded wire fencing, with 1/2" hardware cloth around the bottom 2', and chicken wire across the top. My plan is to have that done by the time the chicks are ready to go outside. They can get acquainted with my free-rangers through the fence before I put the rooster and 2 hens in that I don't plan to cull this year. I'm very happy with my coop, and very much appreciate all the hard work DH put into building it! Forgot to mention. The windows tip out at the top, and can also be removed when it's warmer out.

 

[3goodeggs]

That's absolutely beautiful!
Good job!
Be sure to bury some wire below ground! I have not had anything try to dig in, but the girls like to dust bathe next to the fence, and they could have dug out by now it we had not buried a foot and 1/2 of hardware cloth around the bottom.
I will be wonderful! Add pics to this when you get the run up! The girls will love it!

 

[hkwdesign]

Love your coop - it looks similar to mine (renovating an existing shed.) I notice you have the windows tilting in at the top - I'm planning to tilt mine out at the bottom. I was thinking it may keep the rain from getting in, but I'd love more info if I'm planning to do something wrong - of course the windows all have secure wire!

 

[3goodeggs]

Quote:
And greetings to you, hkwdesign! welcome to BYC! please go over to index and find the new members introduction and post. You deserve a warm welcome!

 

[buglit]

It is beautiful and no doubt took a lot of hard work. Can't wait to see the finished run. One thing though, I am concerned that you might not have enough ventilation. Good Luck!

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
I wish I could tell you why they tilt at the top, but DH put them in and I didn't ask. Are your windows on the outside and wire on the inside? Mine are the other way around - wire outside, windows inside. It's supposed to start raining tomorrow and rain for the next few days. I'll let you know how they work at keeping things dry!

It makse sense to me if your windows are on the outside, that tilting them out at the bottom would work best for keeping rain out. I'd love to see a picture!

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
Thanks! I'll add pics when I get the run done. Right now, more hardware cloth is not in the budget, but we farm some pretty rocky ground and have an abundance of fist-sized rocks. I plan on piling rocks around for now. I figure if something wants to dig in, the rocks will keep sliding down. So far, no diggers or burrowers around the old coop. Hopefully things will stay that way.

 

[bobbi-j]

Quote:
Thanks for your concern. We do have open space above the walls, and vented soffit all the way around on the outside. I know what I'm trying to say, but not sure if it makes sense to anyone else...

Edited to try again - On the inside, between the walls and the ceiling is an open space for air flow. Does that make more sense?

 

[NonnasBabies]

Great looking coop!!

Missi

 

[Mervin]

Nice coop. I especially like the tilt windows. I may have to do something similar myself.