Coops for Non-Carpenters

[Baymule]

I am no carpenter either, my coop which was supposed to be 8'x7' came out 8'1"x6'10"x8'2"x7'1" so it is more than a little "off", but then so am I.

I sunk four 4x4 posts in the ground and wrapped it in a combo of plywood and hardware cloth. I topped it off with 2x4 straight rafters and tin for a roof. I used a 4' stair riser with 1x6 steps nailed to it for a ladder to the roost. It took me a couple of months working on Saturdays. It has a dirt floor and the girls like that. My spring project will be to add a run, once again a study on how to saw the boards all wrong. Study the coop section, take a deep breath and jump in. Have fun with it.

 

[bald egg]

Just jump in! The water is fine. No, really you can do it. With a few simple tools and alot of reserch from the internet you should be able to build something to be proud of. BYC is a great place to start. By spring your confidence and plans will be right on track. So, roll up your sleeves and get busy. OR, buy a pre-made shed from Lowes. But the fun is in doing it yourself!!

 

[Carols Clucks]

Moms house was built by the 1890's, nothing is straight, level or plumb.

Considering our new chicken house was mostly built by a 48 & a 87 year old pair of women, it is a lot closer to straight, plumb and level than the house....

And we are not going to worry about it and the chickens don't care either.

 

[BWKatz]

Quote:

I love it!

 

[CityChook]

If I can do it, ANYONE can do it. We designed/built our coop using "in-progress" photos from this site. There is a wealth of information here and lots of people happy to help you.

If building something from scratch isn't your thing, find a sturdy dog house on craigslist. Paint it up pretty, put it up on 4x4 legs, wire in the bottom, cut ventilation and make some doors. You're in the game.

 

[speedy2020]

Quote:
Have you consider using shipping box? I dare not to mention $$$$ save. Here is how my look. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=437617

 

[SuburbanFarmstress]

I found this post from a while back, it had some interesting ideas: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=66456&p=1

I am planning on using a 10' x 10' canopy I have hanging around, with 2" x 8" boards around the bottom (so I can use the DLM), and wire fencing all around. Some tarps will keep the wind down, and it will be in a protected corner of the yard. One of my favorites is one I saw that is a truck campershell on top of a run. Very creative, and made with mostly found materials.

The more threads I read here, the more potential coops I see laying around in my and other people's backyards.