Coop Sadness

[Aunt Angus]

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

Really? No roosters where you live? Nevada County is pretty lax about rooster laws.

 

[the_peep_squad]

Really? No roosters where you live? Nevada County is pretty lax about rooster laws.

 

[Aunt Angus]

That's too bad... Our new place is zoned ag and is 2 acres. One of the reasons we chose Nevada County because of its Right to Farm.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

those first, madly expensive, home grown eggs!

My eggs are still expensive 3 years into it, I spent a small fortune on my coop! I am getting ready (in my head) to build another coop at another property and I imagine it still big, but way less expensive... we shall see. chicken math is real

Gary

 

[Ryguy3684]

The pics look like it'll do just fine for the size birds you have. The add-ons you drew in look good. If you do want to make the cosmetic repairs, they can be done fairly inexpensively.
If there are any cracks in the wood, not broken all the way through, car bondo works great as a filler, it's much cheaper than wood exopy, and it takes paint well. It also will help hold together the splits in the wood so they don't spread. You just mix and push smoothly in the cracks with a putty knife. It's also weather proof. A couple sheets of sand paper, and you can easily smooth out the filler. While you're at it, you can use the sandpaper to smooth out the drip marks if you'd like.
The spar varnish you used, while it dries with a yellow tint, will work as a good base to seal the wood from weathering. While smoothing out the drip marks, lightly scuff the rest if the painted area.
Then, brush on a regular wood primer. One quart should do it. The scuffing and primer will let the paint adhere well. Then brush on a coat, or two, of an exterior enamel paint. A gallon of satin, or semi-gloss, is about $25 at home depot. A light coat is better than heavy, as it will leave drip marks if brushed on too thick. Let it dry and it's good as new.
Sorry for the long winded post, but I just wanted to give a step by step on fixing it up properly. It won't be free, but you should be able to get all the supplies from the hardware store for around $100. You should be able to get it done in a day.

 

[the_peep_squad]

That's too bad... Our new place is zoned ag and is 2 acres. One of the reasons we chose Nevada County because of its Right to Farm.

Eventually I want to move to Estacada on my aunts property. She has 10 acres. she is willing to let me grow or raise anything I like as long as the time and money is mine. I am trying to convince her to let me remodel the barn into an apartment for me. The barn has a bathroom, so there is a septic tank. I'm getting a bit of push back because the barn is used for tools and hay.... but there is a second smaller barn and storage area behind the main barn. Cross your fingers for me.