Coop building - not as easy as it looks

[Shelly_WNC]

As I sit here in bed with a heating pad on my shoulders and paint all over my fingernails that I can't get off ... I just had to comment on one area that I hadn't read a post about yet ... that is "how hard it actually is to build these coops" .

I spent the last month doing framing and building the floor and walls of my coop in a small shed, as there was snow on the ground and cold weather until this week. I had been waiting for a nice sunny day forever it seems and finally we got beautiful sunny days Friday and today ... so with excitement I knew FINALLY we could build the coop outside.

Oh boy what a lot of work that is - whew! Digging the trench, installing hardware cloth (argh - I now hate this stuff), leveling the coop, building the roof (when the coop is way high off the ground), shingling. I am still excited about our coop really coming together (not done yet) ... but didn't really hit me how hard of work this is. I don't know how many times I hammered my fingers or got scratched up with the hardware cloth and my shoulder muscles are burning now from nailing shingles for two days and digging trenches... YES it will all be worth it when I watch my babies enjoy their new home and I know they are safe and sound.

Just wanted to hear from others on some of the things (and pain) they went through when building the coop and run ... please share. Not to complain but to share with others "it's not as easy as it looks". So when all see those BEAUTIFUL coops we know the labor of love that was involved.

 

[Skippin' Sammi]

We had our coop built for us. Not only do we not have all of the tools or knowledge, but had no way to haul the lumber. We are painting it and putting the shingles on though. We also didn't realize how heavy it would be to move so are figuring out how to install some type of wheels for it. We also are having an A frame run made for extra security and everything will sit inside of a 12x50x6' tall dog run. I will only be having 4 chickens so hopefully this setup will work for us. I have rotator cuff problems so can only work on things where I use my arms for short periods of time. If we had to build everything ourselves, it would have never gotten done.
Sounds like you got a lot accomplished so reward yourself with a nice hot bath and maybe take the day off tomorrow. Hope to see pics when you are finished.

 

[teach1rusl]

I had to laugh when I read about working with the wire!!

Lordy, I was SO sick of nailing wire onto panels to build my run. And most of the bashed fingers and thumbs occured about 30 minutes past the point of exhaustion. When you get tired, it's time to quit for the day; I learned that eventually.

I was glad that nobody was around to hear the curse words...lol, because there were plenty of those!

 

[easttxchick]

I feel your pain(literally). Actual blood, sweat and tears went into DH and I building our coop. I think my DH sang more choruses of the 4 letter serenade during the process than at any time since we have been married!
It is worth it, though when you close the door at night knowing they are safe.

 

[KenLamWV]

I have also been working on my coop with my father. It will be an 8x10 with attached, exterior nesting boxes to easily retrieve the eggs. We too today were working on the roofing which included building each roof truss, installing the plywood roofing, drip etc, shingles, roof vent, etc. A lot of work which we started at 8am and ended around 6pm. Couldn't pass up the awesome weather though and luckily roof is done with rain in the forecast earlier next week. I guess our next task is building the nest boxes, entry door and cleanout door. I haven't even put alot of thought on the run but the wife has a few ideas. I probably have spent between 800 t0 1000 dollars on this thing so hope my girls like it. They are growing quick. I wish the best of luck with your completion.

 

[lorrir]

Dogs Pens 8x8x6. $159 TSC. Chicken wire across the top and a small coop inside the dog pen. Raise the coop and place the water and food under the coop. Viola! Only took me two years to figure it out. Good Luck.

 

[Shelly_WNC]

yep - I used poultry nails with the hardware cloth and it is miserable I have to say. I too am glad I was working alone mostly - because I was definately not a pleasure to be around every time I hit my fingers - argh (ha ha ha).

And the cost - ouch!!!! I was sooooo hoping to find scrape wood and do it on the cheap but there was no way ... we easy have $500 and haven't even begun on the run.

This was the easy part , I had the floor and walls pre-built *pre-built by my in the shed *. The trench took a lot of digging though - went down about a foot or so.

Here is my roofing helper Trace, note: we live on the side of a mountain so there is NO level land. I almost feel off the ladder - what a heart attack that was - yikes.

 

[easttxchick]

Totally unrelated, but your birds are going to have a spectacular view-you live in an absolutely beautiful location!

 

[Evernf]

Why three latters and only one person working I know someone has to the beer and someone has to take pictures

 

[catdaddy66]

Just finished the last things that will make the coop inhabitable...Includes the hardware cloth, doors and latches, paint, run, etc. It has been a long but very good day and the wife is happy that the birds are now able to go to the tractor outside. Also had a new brooder built. I am happy

I will get pics up on a different thread tommorrow. Whew!!