Coop Update - it's been a week since Scott died

[vickibiro]

Thanks so much for the condolences and the compliments on my late husband's work of art. I'm sure you can appreciate how much I want to finish what he started. I have the siding up and painted even through the funeral and visitation. I just can't seem to sleep and have had someone around me at all times. They don't seem to want to leave me alone. I have the post holes dug and the posts set. I have contacted a roofer about coming out and putting shingles on the roof, so that should be done next weekend. It is a small house so hopefully that won't take him too long. I ordered the hardware cloth and it will be in on Wednesday.

What I need help with is finishing the panels of fencing for the run. I don't even know what kinds of wood to buy. I have the fencing.

I also need to purchase the linoleum for the floor and the glue to lay it with, the lumber for the dividing wall inside, the lumber for the laying boxes, poop board and roosts. Someone to set the door into place for the coop and fabricate a door into the coop section of the house, also a door into the run. Am I forgetting anything.

Tomorrow I plan on going outside and seeing if I can figure out how to finish the trim on the house. Pray for me, maybe my honey can channel some of his carpentry skills through me even if only on a temporary basis until I finish his work. God rest his soul. I love that man and feel like half of me is gone but I have to get this done.

Thanks again.

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Vicki, you are a fighting trooper hun and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

There are few folks in the Kentucky thread who have volunteered to help, has anyone contacted you yet?

Lumber....2X4's. Everything you are talking about framing (inside frame to seperate coop and the panels for the run) you can use 2X4's non treated and painted on the outside. treated lumber is supposedly bad for chickens in they peck at it and ingest it. Poop board use plywood, cut it to size and put vinyl or paint the top of it to help with the ease of brushing/wiping it clean.

Roosts I would 1X4s or 2X4s and pay them out mainly flat, this gives them a flat roost instead of a round one, possibly sand the sharp edges a bit smooth if you can.

God bless you hun and my heart aches for you, I lost my brother who died at 21, 5 years ago now. If it wasn't for the fact I was pregnant with my first (and only) child, I don't know what would have pulled me through. Keep on fighting hun.

If you need space, tell people that, don't be afraid to ask/demand what you want and need, only you know that darling. Take care!

 

[shay20]

You are tough, and your hubby will be to see that.

 

[Sillystunt]

i just keep thinking how strong of a woman you are! Bless you for finishing his labor of love!!!!

I just want you to know that we are all here for you to vent, cry, laugh and what ver you need girl!!!

 

[aubreynoramarie]

<3 <3 <3

 

[Mahonri]

I wish I were close by to help.

My prayers are with you.

 

[ryanhodapp]

Kentucky volunteers? arent people great at a time of need. YOu guys are awesome and I hope you get Vicki's coop built.

 

[joebryant]

Looking forward to pictures when it's finished.
See My BYC page; you might get some idea from there. GOOD LUCK!

 

[palochknldy]

So sorry for everything that you are having to deal with at this time. What a beautiful coop. When it is all done, you will be able to sit and relax in your special coop made with love.
I have vinyl in my coop, and it is not glued done. The new vinyl that is out there is meant to just lay without glue and we haven't had any problems. And by not glueing it, you can easily remove it to wash it or replace it.
Best of luck and take a few minutes for yourself, it will all get done in due time!

 

[Happy Chooks]

We set our roost 2X4's on edge and haven't had any problems. (I'm in CA, but we do still get snow, so it gets cold here) What we did on the roosts was cut 2 2X4's taller than you want the roost and cut 1 the height you want of the roost (do this twice) Sandwich the shorter one between the 2 taller ones and mount along the walls. Set roost in the gap, and it's removable for cleaning or replacement.

If you don't want to build nest boxes, you can use kitty litter buckets and the covered lid with the hole in it.

As for the trim, the manufactured stuff works great, that's what my husband uses. Don't forget to caulk all the joints and where they meet up to the siding.

For the run, I can't help much there, as our run isn't covered, but I'm sure you could get some great ideas from the coop section here at BYC.

Good luck, and I look forward to seeing the completed coop.