Diy chicken coop

[Chickenmama2015]

I decided to build this coop and run for my new baby chicks. So it's 4ft wide by 8ft long and is going to have a raised nesting/sleeping area at the one end where the plywood is at. So far this coop has cost be less then 50 dollars to build. I have only had to pay for the basic frame and the screws, hinges, latches, and braces. The plywood floor is something that we already had just laying around and the walls of the nesting area is old trim work from when we updated the house. So far I am loving this coop. One thing that i'm not 100% sure about though is how i'm going to put nesting boxes I want to put them on the long backside and plan on having a door on the top that opens to get the eggs. Still a work in progress but way cheaper then buying the ones that they sell at farm stores.

 

[N F C]

Looks like you're off to a good start!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Looking good so far. I always find the framing to be the hardest part. At least if they’re still young you can put them in there and work out the nesting boxes as they grow. I just built mine a larger coop and still haven’t figured out the nesting box situation. Right now they have a set of all cabinets in there to Lay till I figure out where I want them

 

[PouleChick]

Looking cute - great you have a human size door! How many chickens are you getting?

 

[Chickenmama2015]

Looking cute - great you have a human size door! How many chickens are you getting?

I have 8 baby chicks.

Looking good so far. I always find the framing to be the hardest part. At least if they’re still young you can put them in there and work out the nesting boxes as they grow. I just built mine a larger coop and still haven’t figured out the nesting box situation. Right now they have a set of all cabinets in there to Lay till I figure out where I want them

The framing part has been easy but I had my plan drawn out before I started out. Of course there has been changes here and there but nothing to elaborate that changed the whole plans. trying to stay on a timeline to get it finished as well cause the babies are outgrowing their brooder. But I still have to figure out the wire to put around it

 

[Criticalicious]

Do you plan to let them out to free range at all or are they bantams? Because my coop/run is similar in size and it's a little cramped for 6 full size chickens. They may be OK since they're growing up together. Be sure they have plenty of roost space.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Do you plan to free range them? Those 8 chickens are gonna grow up to be pretty big and then you're gonna think to yourself WHY you didn't just build a bigger coop/run to begin with. So, question is...... why didn't you?

 

[Chickenmama2015]

Do you plan to let them out to free range at all or are they bantams? Because my coop/run is similar in size and it's a little cramped for 6 full size chickens. They may be OK since they're growing up together. Be sure they have plenty of roost space.

I wish that I could let my chickens free range but because of dogs and cats it's not possible and I have no idea what breed of chicken they are. I did build though with the intentions that I could add on later if I needed to give them more space.

 

[Chickenmama2015]

Do you plan to free range them? Those 8 chickens are gonna grow up to be pretty big and then you're gonna think to yourself WHY you didn't just build a bigger coop/run to begin with. So, question is...... why didn't you?

Right now budget is a big factor as to why I didn't build it bigger. But I know they need something now because they have outgrown the brooder they are in and I need them out of the garage. Building and adding on isn't a big deal to me when I get the funds to do so.

 

[purslanegarden]

I also had grand ideas for accessing the nest box from the outside, but I ended up just putting my nest boxes on a platform in the coop (think 4 legs and a flat surface, and the nest boxes rest on this platform). I have to enter the coop to get at the eggs but it's not so bad, since I'm there visiting them every day anyway!