After several years on this site and over a year of on and off construction, our little coop is finally complete! I put the last screw in on Sunday
Eventually I plan to write up an article and include some little trials, errors and anecdotes along the way, but for now, here's the quick version:The Coop:
I bought the coop secondhand but it was made by a reputable builder. It is 4x4 and solid which is just right for our little flock. For biosecurity, I ripped out the previous nest boxes, vinyl floor, roost, and feeder/waterer. Every square inch got a scrub down with hot water and Dawn. I let this dry and then sprayed Vikron-S.
Coop before....
After a deep cleaning
After reading many articles on here, I made some changes to the inside. I hardware clothed the soffits and window, then tripled the ventilation with new aluminum louvered vents and several small holes. The floor got a coat of Black Jack 57 for easier cleaning. I bolted up the giant egg door which seemed silly for a coop this size and added a plastic nest box that would be easier to clean.
I have a 2x3 roost for now but will switch this to a 2x4 before winter (I ran out of lumber... ha). The coop is wired with power but I don't intend to hook it up until I pull out and clean the fixtures. Even then it will just be for a camera and maybe an LED light. Finally, I upgraded the latch on the clean out door to a hasp and locking carabiner. I use use the slide lock during the day.
The Run:
The run, including the area under the coop is 8x12. I built the roof in 2 grades because I wanted the high part to match the coop roof grade but didn't want it to be too low on the other side.
The roof is covered with Suntuf polycarb panels from Home Depot in solar gray. They were surprisingly easy to work with and fit well despite my imperfect construction.
The tint is just right so the ladies get a little shade. The walls are covered in 0.5in hardware cloth. The perimeter is also protected with a buried hardware cloth apron. I added vinyl lattice to the sides so it looks nicer from my neighbor's viewpoint. The run door fits tightly with a hasp and carabiner lock and a block at the top for another level of security. I built a new ramp for them and an outdoor roost.
The ladies!
After years of having an account here, "Sarah's Hens" finally has hens!! My friend brought me three 1 year old hens from her flock on Sunday - two speckled Sussex and one Ancona.
They each laid an egg after only 24 hours in their new home
They all went straight to the nest box in the coop and knew what to do. They seem to slip a bit on the ramp though so I will be adding some burlap for more traction. The Ancona is a bit weary but the Sussex have settled in quickly. They haven't slept in the coop yet, preferring to sleep on the roost outside. While I'm pretty sure the run is secure, I would rather keep them in the coop at night if I can. Tonight I plan to lure them in with scratch.The future:
Inside, I will switch out the roost for a 2x4, add a curtain to the window (just for aesthetics), and hook up a webcam. Outside, I plan to repaint the trim, put down wood chips and plant some herbs & flowers on the perimeter. I'd also like to set up a gutter system to catch rainwater.
A big thank you to everyone at this site who's helped me along the way!!!
