Finally started my coop!

[ginny_e]

I made the front and back walls of my chicken coop yesterday, finally! I'm making it a hobbit hole style coop. The floor is 6'x4'. The side with the three circular holes will be the front, a door and two windows for ventilation. The other piece is the back, with the doorway framed for easy cleaning access.

 

[jthornton]

It'll be off the ground by 1.5-2".

That will be a great place for rats, mice and snakes to live under the coop... raised coops should be at least 18" for easy access or on the ground.

JT

 

[ginny_e]

My mistaken, that was a typo. 1.5-2' not 1.5-2" off of the ground.

 

[ginny_e]

Little update- most of the coop is constructed, this picture doesn't have a roof, but we just put one on. I do not recommend making rounded roofs!

 

[ginny_e]

Eh, that's probably more than I want to do....

Finally got the coop and run to an inhabitable state!

 

[Birdinhand]

congrats, the hardest part is usually making the first steps... great start, keep it up and show us updates!

 

[jthornton]

Chickens need draft free ventilation in the winter not heat or insulation. Plan on using rubber water bowls and changing them twice a day during the winter if your not going to have electricity.

JT

 

[aart]

What is your general geographical location?
It's good to add it to your profile, then it's always there!

 

[jthornton]

Cheap single thickness shingles are super flexible in 90+ temperatures. The only thing I've seen is the nailing schedule changes as you go past 12/12 pitch IIRC you add 2 or 3 more nails to the shingle.

I think a hobbit house should have a toadstool roof like a big umbrella over the house which would be easy to shingle and provide great shade.

If you have a real old time lumber yard ask them if they have any starter shingles. They usually give them away free and they will be random colors. Starter shingles are the first row with the tabs cut off so you have the tar strip for the first course of shingles.

JT

 

[jthornton]

What's in the mason jar?

JT