Finally completed my first coop and run

[1keegan]

What a great coop! Did you write down the supplies used and a plan that you'd be willing to share?
We are ready to start our first coop, but hubby needs some step-by-step directions or drawings for encouragement!

 

[cboriskin]

We actually took the plans from this site:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/trictles-chicken-coop-with-plans

and modified it. We have one large removable window and a large door for easy cleaning. We also put a small removable window on the large door so we could look into the coop from the front. Instead of the louvres for venting, we left it open and just closed it with chicken wire. We put a triple nesting box on the side of the house instead of the back. I think you have to decide where you want things depending on which way your coop is set. ie, nesting boxes should be placed where you will be able to get to it. We already had plumbing in the area, so it was easy to hook up the water supply. My husband had a lot of old wood that he used for the frame, so he ripped the wood and made the frame with 2X3 boards.

We put 2 roosts up, one low and one higher, but the chickens seem to just use the low one. The automatic waterer is the Little Giant poultry waterer. We made the indoor feeder with 4" plastic drainage pipe (the PVC was too expensive). The windows are clear plexiglass. We also insulated the walls and roof with R15 insulation.

Good luck with your new coop.

 

[lolita117]

Love it!

 

[Desirai]

How cute!!! How is the watering system set up?

 

[cboriskin]

We have the Little Giant Poultry Bowls that are hooked directly to a spigot. We ran PVC pipes to where we wanted them. The bowls work by gravity. So, when the girls drink the water and it goes below a certain level, it automatically fills back up. I really wanted the nipple system, but they work on low pressure and wouldn't work if hooked directly to the spigot.

 

[SteveBaz]

VERY Nice

 

[Yoke]

Okay, I'm stealing your indoor feeding idea. I have a similar coop and just closed off one of the nest boxes, this will work great! What did you use on the outside over where the nest box hinges are?

You've done a great job!!

OK, when Knock Kneed Hen is not looking, I'm going to steal the nesting box feeding idea from her.

Great job. I like the way you protected the hinge from water.

P.S. If the city calls, Just count: One, Two, Three, Three. Then tell them you went to public school. (Or pass some eggs to the neighbors so they don't complain).

 

[JusticeFamilyFarm]

Looks great! You said you have a bowl waterer hooked up to the water spigot, right? What type of waterer is it? Did you purchase it online... in other words, do you have a link for it? I had the same water pressure issue, so we hooked the nipples up using a 5 gallon bucket, which I refill, instead of directly hooking up to the water line. Thanks!

 

[cboriskin]

Here is a link, but I got mine from the local feed store.
http://incubatorwarehouse.com/little-giant-automatic-poultry-fount-2500.html

I have read that others have put an automatic water shut off float in their bucket. The same kind used for horse troughs. I've also read using a toilet tank float system. Since you already have the nipples set up, you might want to try that.

 

[JusticeFamilyFarm]

Thanks!