Converting a kennel to a coop

[trase]

We were very fortunate in that there are several outbuildings on our property that the previous owners had constructed. One was the chicken coop - but we've never been 100% happy with it, and are outgrowing it. So, we took a look at the old dog kennel, which we do not use, and realized, "Hey! The concrete slab and roof are already in place!" We tore down the old rusty kennel fencing, and this is what we are starting with:

We've gotten some of the baseboards installed, using a powder hammer, and the north wall is actually most of the way done now - here's my husband working on it one evening last week:

It now has the plywood wall up, but I need to get a photo of that progress.

The slab is about 12' x 24' and so we will have a really decent sized coop when it's done! We are on 14 acres, and our doodles (as we call our chickens) will be free-ranged. Right now, in the existing coop, they have a decent-sized yard, but their foraging opportunities are not nearly as good as they will be once they are in their new pad. We're very excited.

I'll post pictures of the progress here as it is made!

 

[Imp]

That will be very nice. Be sure to post pix when completed.

Imp

 

[GermanChick]

Wow, that will be a nice sized coop

Can't wait to see pictures when you are done !!!!!

 

[Stumpy]

Wow -- That's going to be wonderful. What I'd give to have a slab and roof to start with!

 

[trase]

Well, the Poultry Palace is almost done! We've been working hard the past few days. No small feat, considering I had surgery on Friday.

But I can't sit still for long, and this needs to get done.

Here's where things stood last night around sunset:

And here's where we are at tonight:

There is still plenty to do - obviously we need the door, some vented soffits for the roofline, and then the interior stuff, of which there is plenty: filling in a concrete crack, building a half wall to separate the chicken area from a front storage area, installing nest boxes, roosts, and the chicken doors. There is electrical already at the structure, but it's just one outlet, so we will have to piggyback off of it and add more outlets and lights. But we are well on our way. I can't wait to move them all in!

In the meantime, the babies got a door into a little yard off of the current coop, and they are happy about it:

The big chickens we have (born end of January) have already had a door and access to their yard for awhile.

When this is done, it should be quite the setup for them.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

a half wall to separate the chicken area from a front storage area

You may want to consider a full wall unless you don't mind everything inside being covered with "chicken dust"​

 

[MotherJean]

That is just so awesome. And, the joy of 14 acres to free range? Priceless! Lucky you, lucky chicks.

 

[nelgkel]

AWESOME

Lucky chickens!!!
I envy the land and the wonderful space you have!! can't wait to see it all done....

 

[trase]

Quote:
You may want to consider a full wall unless you don't mind everything inside being covered with "chicken dust"

I have thought about that - and we may end up doing a full wall. Right now, the half wall is all that's in the budget, because that's how much plywood we have left, ha! ;D But who knows! We have two ATV's up for sale on Craigs, and it looks like at least one may have sold, so it may fund the rest of that wall!

 

[AmberH]

How awesome, I wish I had something similar.