Coop Sadness

[the_peep_squad]

I am new to chickens, this is my first set if chicks. I needed a coop with a run, so they would have some protected areas to hang out in when I am at work. We live in the boonies of Nevada County, CA. I knew I could not likely make a coop and run as I have no wood working experience and no tools. I found a prefab coop that normally goes for $700+ on Facebook selling for $400 and luisted as new. I arranged to pick it up, a 1.5hrs drive from home. When we got there I found out that it wasn't new, it had been standing in the backyard for more than a year but had never housed. chickens. We decided to get it anyway, since we had already made the drive and I had not found something of a similar size in my price range.

When we get it home there are several areas that the wood has cracked and needs to be repaired. Ok, not too bad. I can handle this. Not ideal but they are mostly on the bottom and on the inside. The chickens won't care.

I spoke to the paint department about sealing the wood because we get rain and a little snow here. They suggested using semi gloss oil based spar varnish. He said it would dry clear. As i am painting the coop pieces, it doesnt dry clear. So now all my white trim looks dirty and the drip marks are obvious.

I'm already $500 in on this coop and its not turning out like anything I imagined. The biggest investment in my chicken adventure looks 1/4 a**ed at best. I am going to make due but I am sadly disappointed.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I am new to chickens, this is my first set if chicks. I needed a coop with a run, so they would have some protected areas to hang out in when I am at work. We live in the boonies of Nevada County, CA. I knew I could not likely make a coop and run as I have no wood working experience and no tools. I found a prefab coop that normally goes for $700+ on Facebook selling for $400 and luisted as new. I arranged to pick it up, a 1.5hrs drive from home. When we got there I found out that it wasn't new, it had been standing in the backyard for more than a year but had never housed. chickens. We decided to get it anyway, since we had already made the drive and I had not found something of a similar size in my price range.

When we get it home there are several areas that the wood has cracked and needs to be repaired. Ok, not too bad. I can handle this. Not ideal but they are mostly on the bottom and on the inside. The chickens won't care.

I spoke to the paint department about sealing the wood because we get rain and a little snow here. They suggested using semi gloss oil based spar varnish. He said it would dry clear. As i am painting the coop pieces, it doesnt dry clear. So now all my white trim looks dirty and the drip marks are obvious.

I'm already $500 in on this coop and its not turning out like anything I imagined. The biggest investment in my chicken adventure looks 1/4 a**ed at best. I am going to make due but I am sadly disappointed.

Looks do not matter one iota. Will it keep your chickens safe? That's the ONLY thing that counts. You can always repaint it later.

You aren't too far from me. I'd be happy to help, if you want. I'm not much of a builder, but I managed to make my first and second coops using scrap wood for about $250. Seriously. PM me if you want.

 

[perkolator]

Sorry- but you at least have a coop now!
Yes oil based spar varnish is transparent but definitely NOT what I’d call clear - it’s still a great product though. the water-based urethanes are fairly clear though, but you can’t go backwards. It can be painted over but will require some good primer first, I’m guessing painting it 3x is likely not what you wanted.
good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

Our coop is not beautiful, but it's safe. After it's last addition, it's only taken four years to get it restained. The chickens totally don't care!
Coops tend to be a work in progress for many of us anyway.
Post pictures! Many prefab coops are terrible little things, let us see yours, with dimensions, in case we can recommend needed fixes.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Cherish those first, madly expensive, home grown eggs!
Mary

 

[Aunt Angus]

Cherish those first, madly expensive, home grown eggs!
Mary

Yes, indeed! I reckon my first dozen were about $100 a piece! Lol

 

[Ryguy3684]

Don't worry. A lot of people, including myself, have had things like that happen. The coop I bought, prefab, was well built, but much smaller than anticipated. Many add-ons, and $$ later, I have a little chicken village. There are always ways to make things right. Post some pics and we can give you a hand with some cheap improvement suggestions. I'm a wood worker by trade, and I'm sure many others have building experience to help out.

 

[the_peep_squad]

This is the unit I bought. Its still in pieces right now, as i have several pieces that need wood glue and varnish.

The nesting box area is going to redesigned as part of the roost with nesting boxes underneath since there is no way to have the roosts be higher than the nesting area. Prob something similar to the photo below.

I will have a two gal water bucket with cups at various heights. There will be a 2gal feed bucket. The blue and green circles on the pic.

I am also making a chicken swing and changing the horizontal roosting bars included to something more chicken fun/friendly.

Its not going to be the only coop forever. The goal is to move to my aunts property in a few months. Once there i will make a much better coop or integrate my chickens with her layers. More likely I will make them their own run since hers are full sized layers and she has about 30.

 

[Ryguy3684]

How many chicks/what breed do you have?

 

[the_peep_squad]

How many chicks/what breed do you have?

I have 8 silkie chicks currently. That will be reduced to 4 silkies once sexed. I can only have 4 hens and no roosters.