Collapsible Coop

[chickentrunks]

Thanks for this. I'm planning on building a pigeon loft this weekend and drew inspiration from Ted's KD woods coop and this coop.

One Question...

Where on earth did you find 2x2 lumber suitable to work with? Everything at the local stores is crooked as a Chicago Alderman

Regarding Bugs/Mites/Lice...Provide your chickens ample dust (not hard in ABQ I imagine) and some Diometious Earth if you're worried.

I'm a nut and I sort through the piles for 2x2s that are as close to perfect as possible. Also, if you buy ones that look good and are tied in the bundle still, and you leave them like that, that can work very well.

 

[chickentrunks]

Best way to get good 2x2's(nominal) is to rip good 2x4's down the center.
Had a local lumberman do this for me regularly...too bad he's now retired.

Table saw makes it easy! Harbor Freight, my friend

 

[aart]

Table saw makes it easy! Harbor Freight, my friend

Yep, am pretty much done building, don't do enough to buy table saw.

 

[chickentrunks]

Here's a view of the function of the house with the removable roof visible. I put on the tarpaper today and tomorrow is roll roofing. Very happy with how it's come out.

Need to make a better roost though haha.

 

[chickentrunks]

Hello to all who are following this coop build. It's been a year that the chickens have been sleeping here and what a great year for chicken coops it's been!
The fold-out function of varying sides of the coop has proved quite valuable, though I never have had a reason to fold out the long sides. The interior cleanliness of the coop has been a breeze to maintain. The low roost keeps the poo close to the bedding, and I've found the sweet spot for changing that has been monthly. The two windows provide great ventilation in the summer, and thanks to one user's suggestion of covering them with hardware cloth, i haven't had a worry about predators. Nothing has gotten into the coop. The hooks and eyes are under enough tension to where they are a little difficult to undo unless you know the trick, which involves using my precious weight to open them so that hasn't been a point of worry either (people were concerned about raccoons). The roof never leaked. Overall I'm extremely happy with the coop function, the only thing I will need in the future is a bigger coop - but that's another project for another time (when I move out of the city onto my land).

Thanks again to all for their advice and input!

 

[aart]

Thanks for the Update....how about some new pics?

 

[chickentrunks]

Thanks for the Update....how about some new pics?

Soon. I wonder can I still write an article about it?

 

[aart]

I wonder can I still write an article about it?

Of course, Absolutely!
Better to write an article after the subject has been tested, IMO.

 

[chickentrunks]

Thanks for the Update....how about some new pics?

Here are the pictures. I never was able to finish the roof due to some unforeseen circumstances... But this summer I will. It never leaked though! It's been great. Perfect for this number of birds, maybe even more (they only sleep there).