Enough Space for 5 hens?

[PeepsAreForMe]

Hmm, so my pictures did not come through! Darn. Let me try again. It seems to be hung up. I'll try in a little while.

A walk-in coop/run area is totally the way to go. Where do you live?

 

[modchicken]

Hmm, so my pictures did not come through! Darn. Let me try again. It seems to be hung up. I'll try in a little while.

A walk-in coop/run area is totally the way to go. Where do you live?

Ok so thanks for the reply!! And ugh I hate when the pics don't go through! Just post them again if you get the chance!!! Was the cost of your project a lot??!! I'm starting to HATEEE this coop now too! I wish I just started with a nice custom made one!!!! This is very frustrating.... it sounds like your remodeling is looking good! I can't wait to see pictures! And I live in GA. Their shoulldddd just be 4 hens in a couple of weeks now. :'( I wish I didn't have to give away my EE cockerel!!! You can tell she's a little boy at 5 weeks now! At least they'll be a little more space.... Thanks again!

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Success!! So here's the terrible coop LOL This coop was $400, not sure what DH spent on the lumber and hardware cloth, but he did say the cloth is expensive! But their protection is worth it.






I don't need to tell you what I hate about it, you know!!!

Here is what DH has built so far.



Look how small it looks compared to what he's building! Which, is probably way too big for 3 hens and a big rooster, but I will be happy!! In the bottom right corner of the picture above is the original coop I bought for $300. I was so worried it was too small so I got the red one, and that one is about 2 square inches bigger! But to ship it back would have cost $150. We put it together to integrate the rooster with my hens, and he stayed in it about 2 days and that was that! The first one I bought was worse, glad I got the second. It had no roosting bar and the nexting box went inside, taking away precious floor space. And don't get me started on the lack of ventilation! Oh well, it didn't have a pop door so I guess they considered that enough.

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

I had my husband take out the window and cover it with hardware cloth, then he velcro'd a piece of plexiglass for me so I can put that up when it rains.

They changed the way you post pictures a little bit, thats why I had trouble yesterday!

 

[modchicken]

Wow! OK Well replacing the window was good idea! I think I'll od that to help with ventilation! Did you put wire on the bottom of your coop? Mine is soo hard to clean out on the bottom with it on there! And it was $400 for all the new designs, not including the coop yes? Sorry for all the questions and everything! I see you added a run to the side? Did you just cut out the wire on the right side of the coop and add on? I don't know if I'll be able to do that big of a project! Yours looks so nice so far! Im jealous! I'm planning on replacing the window... do you have a piece of plexiglass that you just stick on with the velcro? Sorry... Ok for the run I assume I need wood... and uh chicken wire? Haha this is probably going to be a project I'm doing alone! I don't think I'll get much help, they are my chickens!

 

[modchicken]

And thanks so much for taking the time and posting the pictures!

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

Wow! OK Well replacing the window was good idea! I think I'll od that to help with ventilation! Did you put wire on the bottom of your coop? Mine is soo hard to clean out on the bottom with it on there! And it was $400 for all the new designs, not including the coop yes? Sorry for all the questions and everything! I see you added a run to the side? Did you just cut out the wire on the right side of the coop and add on? I don't know if I'll be able to do that big of a project! Yours looks so nice so far! Im jealous! I'm planning on replacing the window... do you have a piece of plexiglass that you just stick on with the velcro? Sorry... Ok for the run I assume I need wood... and uh chicken wire? Haha this is probably going to be a project I'm doing alone! I don't think I'll get much help, they are my chickens!

Oh you are welcome - it is always easier to see what someone is talking about!! Yes, we put wire in the bottom of the coop and the bottom of the run that is attached. And yes, we cut the wire from the right side to add on to it. The coop itself was $400, that does not include all the wood framing and wire for the run. I wanted it elevated more than it is so they would have more headroom, but they are ok. It won't be long until they have 6' of head room! We do have a piece of plexiglass to cover the window when it rains. We are re-purposing windows from our house for the new coop that will swing up for ventilation. I would not use chicken wire for the extended protected run - in this heat I have not been closing the pop door but their run is predator proof so I don't have to worry. Unless you close them in every night, then I guess chicken wire would be ok.

 

[modchicken]

Thankyou soo muchh!! This helped me a lot! What would I use rather than chicken wire? I'm sorry I'm a pretty new chicken owner but I'm finding my way! Thankyou again and I'm sure your chicken will be in heaven when they move in their new home!! Good luck with the rest of the building!

 

[Izzymoon]

wow what an impressive job the DH is doing! I do love the little coop, but I think it is limited to a post-brooder, for when the babies start to go outside. Mine is way too small for m 6 girls right now, and look forward to the new coop

 

[modchicken]

Ya! It should be for 4 hens now.... maybe not but probably! But I think I will build a run to extend it as recommended!