Coop In Progress- All suggestions welcome! But be NICE! Lol

BigBlueHen53 · May 4, 2020

rosemarythyme said:
I agree on adding more windows if possible (don't know if habitat for humanity or other architectural salvage/recycle type stores are open nowadays, that's a good way to get 'em cheap) and then covering them with hardware cloth so you can safely open them for additional ventilation. Some additional natural light is super nice to have in a coop.

We don't have buffalo gnats around here, but if you do you might want to go ahead and use screen mesh. I have heard terrible things about those gnats.

3KillerBs · May 4, 2020

Barn paint is made specifically to go on rough, unprimed wood and to withstand non-climate-controlled conditions.

All the sheds on our new property, which previous owner painted in a combination of hideous light olive green and even more hideous seafoam green, are eventually getting a coat of classic barn red with classic barn white trim and that's what the new coop is going to have too.

P.S. More experienced people will undoubtedly correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd worry that chickens would eventually eat paint flakes if the inside were painted.

BigBlueHen53 · May 4, 2020

3KillerBs said:
Barn paint is made specifically to go on rough, unprimed wood and to withstand non-climate-controlled conditions.

All the sheds on our new property which previous owner painted in a combination of hideous light olive green and even more hideous seafoam green are eventually getting a coat of classing barn red with classic barn white trim and that's what the new coop is going to have too.

P.S. More experienced people will undoubtedly correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd worry that chickens would eventually eat paint flakes if the inside were painted.

Lol, I can see those greens, I think. My dad, rest his soul, was partially color blind. He painted his house the most disgusting colors of green imaginable. The house was one color and the trim was another. And his car was yet a third.... ow, my eyes!

mandymcg05 · May 4, 2020

blackdog043 said:
It's looking good!

I didn't paint the inside of my coop, my ladies like the natural look.
I did use Blackjack 57 on my floor and about 12 inches up the walls.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/black-jack-rubr-coat-57-for-your-coop-floor.75145/

I would add windows on both sides that open, for ventilation and more light, also think about replacing the front window so it opens. When it gets hot, the chickens will like you even more. Are you putting a wood roof on, then putting the metal on top of it?? I've seen on here where people use metal only and the roof sweats causing moisture to drip inside the coop.

We are doing wood slats and then the metal on top of it.

mandymcg05 · May 4, 2020

Thanks for the input guys! I will see if I can find some more windows to add or just make cut outs in the walls with hardware mesh in them for a nice breezy area. :love

mandymcg05 · May 10, 2020

We finally have ALL FOUR WALLS AND THE ROOF UP!!! Added a few more windows. Also got the paint on the inside!! I can’t wait to see my babies in there!!!

We have to add hardware cloth to the sides and new windows. Add the door and the chick door and they’ll be ready! :love

mandymcg05 · May 14, 2020

Welp. Got my big babies in the coop tonight! Makes my heart so frikken happy! :love

All the predator proofing and breezy windows have been updated and added. Haven’t decided what to do on the outside yet. Either free stain we already have or painting a barn paint

Can’t wait to start building their run this weekend!! :celebrate

Mama is happy!
Chicks are happy (I think) :jumpy