Coop is finally done !!! Please take a look

[chickengirlnm]

I posted this a few days ago and was hoping more people would have taken a look, me and hubby worked hard on getting it done before cold weather set in - and I just wanted to show it off LOL I have been painting it a kinda barn red color the past few days-hubby not to sure about color but I LOVE IT.

I have shutters on the windows so I can shut them as needed

they have a 6' perch on top with an 8' perch below both are attached with L brackets so I can take them down to clean or replace them as needed

this side is on hinges to make clean up and gathering eggs easy for me - dont have nest boxes yet - dont know where to put them that will not take up much room -- any ideas??

they seem to like it so far

Bonnie checking out the halloween decorations

can you think of any thing i might need to add ?? this is the first coop I have ever built and not sure if there is anything missing??

thanks
Julie

 

[BeckyLa]

Very nice coop! You've done a good job!

I think I would put a post (2x4, 2x2, board, whatever) in the center inside to push against the roof to keep it from sagging. As your birds grow, they will get heavier and love to sit up there to preen and gossip which will cause the roof to sag if it's not supported from beneath. Also, have you put a sealer on the wood you used for walls? That type of board will need something (paint, clear acrylic, whatever) to keep moisture from causing it to separate. NM is a pretty dry place, but there still is dew and the occasional rain.

As for the nest boxes, I added one long box to the outside of my coop with a hinged lid for easy access to the eggs. Works great!

Good job!

 

[texaschickmama]

Some of the stackable file containers. The plastic ones won't take up much room. Coop looks great.

 

[chickengirlnm]

thank you for the advice about the 2x2 ( or what ever ) I have noticed a few of the kids up there mostly checking out the decorations !! but I will add something more for support I have a slates going across there now but I will add a little something more.
As far as the wood I plan on painting it - but so far I ran out of energy ! I hope to have it painted before the weather gets nasty I was thinking of a nice barn red with white trim

I will look into either adding a nest box on the outside or getting some of those stackables for inside but since I only have one hen that is old enough to lay and she is molting I have time to figure something out.

thank you
Julie

 

[RyanAndMeri]

Looks good. Be sure to paint it before it gets rained on too much. OSB doesn't do well if it gets wet alot, so seal up the edges, and I'd suggest painting it with oil based primerPrime OSB with an oil based primer (Kilz is great) and try to use a heavy - 3/4", 1" - knapp to fill and seal. Topcoat with acrylic. Anyway that's what I would do. I hate how OSB gets when it swells up with water and flakes off. Take especial care of the edges that have been cut as those will be the first to get damaged.

 

[thndrdancr]

Looks great, I know about the hard work part.

Oh and loved your Where's Clyde post, but now I cant find it again, he seems like such a character!

Jill

 

[Heidi]

Looks cozie enought for the girls. As for nexting boxes you could use those plastic baskets that people put toys and other things in. I've seen a few pics on byc with them being in other coops - they would be easy to remove for cleaning - just fill them full of straw.

 

[eggzettera]

It needs MORE halloween decorations. Seriously "looking good".
signed a Halloween NUT.

 

[chickengirlnm]

thank you all for the replies I was feeling kinda bummed ..
anyway I hope the painting I am doing will be alright I will get some sealer and put a clear coat over it also get some cualk (sp) and seal up the corners - spring I am planning on a slanted roof to help with water/snow put for now I will keep an eye on it this winter.

yea Clyde is a handful !! he drives me crazy sometimes wondering where he is going to show up next LOL I really hope he is able to make little Clydes and Clydettes with my bigger girls - I think if his personailty passes to his babies they will be great.

I have added more decorations to the coop - they have orange lights that go all around the top ( which Clydes is having fun pulling off ) I keep stabling them down he pulls them up ( rotten little guy ) anyway you see what I am planning on doing for christmas I am going to make the coop look like a gingerbread house. !!!!
hubby thinks I am crazy.
I want a sign that says MERRY CHICKMAS might have to make it myself.

the Clyde post is in the everything else chicken area- hope that helps you find him LOL

 

[tazcat70]

hubby thinks I am crazy

You mean that's not normal?

Tonya

Edited to add.....DUH Tonya!

The coop looks GREAT!!!!! I love the great big door!​