Crowber's Pandemic Coop - Carolina coop knockoff

[crowber]

What is that netting that is covering the outside and is a roof for the run? How did you attach the netting to the fence?

If you look at my most recent pic, the roof is a metal roof. But for the sides of the run, I have 1/2"square hardware cloth, painted black and it is screwed in with exterior rated cabinet screws (GTX brand I think?) Which have kind of a washer-like head on them. About every 6" or so. I actually need to go back and put some more in.

 

[crowber]

Looks great. I’m working on plans for a Palace/Carolina coop hybrid. Simpler Palace style slant roof with Carolina Coop style clean out and nested doors. Same 6x12 footprint with 6 x4 hen house, 10x14 roof and 8 ft going to 7 ft tall from front to back. The goal is not to have to stoop while working in the run. Me not the chickens that is.

I look forward to seeing this!

 

[crowber]

Finished all the hardware cloth, put the door on and made a cute ladder. Thankfully, my son reminded me to put a string to the door latch so I wouldn't lock myself inside, because I totally would have done that!

All that's left is the nest box and predator apron. And lots of touchups, but I'm not quite so rushed now.

 

[aart]

Thankfully, my son reminded me to put a string to the door latch so I wouldn't lock myself inside, because I totally would have done that!

Use wire....or get different latch....or stash a pair of wire cutters inside the run.

 

[crowber]

Use wire....or get different latch....or stash a pair of wire cutters inside the run.

Yeah, wire is a good idea. I can just see myself in the coop pulling on it and the rope breaks. Lol.

 

[aart]

Yeah, wire is a good idea. I can just see myself in the coop pulling on it and the rope breaks. Lol.

I hate those latches, have had them fail by either string breaking and/or misalignment when wood shifts due to moisture changes. Luckily it happened in a place where I wasn't trapped, just inconvenienced.

I use screen door springs on all my coop and run doors for autoclosing.

 

[Mirth Cottage]

If you get locked in you can dig Your way out... unless you accidentally put the predator apron on the wrong side of the wall. This is beautiful and I’m jealous! Some day!! Someday I will have a coop similar to this!!

 

[crowber]

A couple more pics. Detail of the door side showing how the screen door is nested with the outer door.
And also the inside. What I liked about this design is that the framing becomes the trim and it's on the outside, so the inside stays all smooth for easy cleaning. Sorry I didn't get pic before I moved them in! You can also see the braces I made for the 2x4 roost bars. I cut these out of 3/4 plywood scraps and the bars can easily be removed. On the right side I just have an extra piece of ply covering where the future nest box will sit.
I painted the inside with 3 coats of Behr porch and floor paint. I just got a bale of hemp, so I'll swap that in for the pine shavings when I add the nest box.

 

[strattao]

Beautiful work. I’d love to hear more about your lessons learned. Looks like you’ve done it right!

 

[MaGlockner]

beautiful job! i wish i had the skills to do this