Finally Started the build (getting pic heavy)

[PeepsAreForMe]

Looking good!! I love the color and the crisp white trim. Thanks for the advise on insulating. My girls only get about 2 hrs of direct sun between the trees and the house. In the new coop run I plan on hanging a bamboo blind for the summer sun. While it is very flat here in New Jersey, we don't get brutal winds across the tundra so I think they will be ok. I see the frame of our coop and get so excited for it to be done, I know how you feel!!

 

[Reurra]

I have to ask, cuz Im desperately enormously impossibly jealous of such a wonderful coop you have built...how much is it running you?

 

[Erin~TheChickenLover]

Wow, you are doing a great job! I love all the details, very nice!

 

[AussieAcres]

I have to ask, cuz Im desperately enormously impossibly jealous of such a wonderful coop you have built...how much is it running you?

Well, some of the supplies are leftovers from other projects and just things I have on hand. Like screws, caulk, some of the lumber, electrical supplies etc. The windows were a roadside "free" find. I do however at this point have near $600 into it. The roofing, siding, hardware cloth, paint, insulation, etc were all things I had to buy and wow does it add up quick!
Overall I expect I will have near $700 into it, but it will be a great deal sturdier, less expensive and "user friendly" than s pre-fab shed i would have to retro fit and predator proof. just a huge time investment, but we like these kinds of projects around here!

 

[ChickNhood]

Love the painted T1-11! We were going to use T1-11 on our coop in progress, but with all the windows and vents I told DH it needs, he thought vinyl siding would be better. I was thinking vinyl cedar shakes.


How many chicks do you have? The coop my husband is building is 5' x 5' x 5' for 3 hens and a rooster. I am wondering if it is too big! I more concerned about when winter comes along - is it too much area for them to keep warm in?

No such thing as too big...wait til chicken math kicks in...youll need more room!

 

[PeepsAreForMe]

I know, I know. But my DH doesn't understand chicken math! But he's a softie so I think I could talk him into it. I was just looking at pictures of Blue Mille Fleur d Uccles . . . . .

 

[Izzymoon]

this is so nice, thanks for letting us be your audience while you build it! I can only hope ours turns out half as good

 

[AussieAcres]

The last couple weeks have been slow going, Had a few delays, and just plain ol' life getting in the way. Not that I minded a little break.

As far as the delays, I had a decent mind fart as I tend to do now and then. Once the thing is all framed, paneled trimmed and painted....THAT is the moment to realize that my chicken door is too low to the ground to allow for deep litter and would need to be raised. So I had to take that corner all down, remove panels and insulation. Re-frame and build it back up. Patch the portion under the door and repaint. Luckily it only took me about 2 hours to complete. We are very close and expect that the flock will be taking residence yet this week. FINALLY!!

Internal wiring for lights, outlet and fan controls.











Venting from soffits



The great Chicken door blunder











Once we built the windows into the trim pieces and sealed them they became way too heavy for just the paneling to support. Unfortunately the framing I built was not where I needed it to secure the windows in place once we decided to change the orientation and how they open (which will be from the top). So I secured a brace for the window to attach to through the wall and sandwich anchored to a 2x4" inside that will double as supports for the feeder and roosts.





Roosting bar supports (2 tier ladder style) and supports for a poop board below.




The door I built with a piece of 7/16" OSB cut to size, then screwed 1x4"s to the front. I created the 'Z' brace with 1X6"s ...this is one HEAVY door!

 

[AussieAcres]

Nesting Box






We're getting close!!!