Finished, mostly! Whew.

[dreamofwinter]

What a journey. I read so many articles on here where people built coops and runs in a weekend... this was not that project

We started with an OverEZ coop, because I knew neither my husband nor I had the skills or time to build a coop from scratch.
For the run, we built a roughly 8x16 frame from our stash of slightly used 2x4s (we got them with the property, what luck in a year like this one!). We covered four 16x4 cattle panels with hardware cloth and stood them up in the frame. Then he built a center support, end supports, and a door. The door was the trickiest part!
We also cut some holes in the sides of the OverEZ for more ventilation (and will be adding more along the front under the roof, as well).

Last night was the chicks' first sleepout. They did the usual crying when we put them in the coop at dusk, but once it got dark enough they fell right to sleep, and came strolling out this morning like they'd always lived there. The ducklings are only 4 weeks old and not yet waterproof on their backs; plus we are still doing some patching of 1" gaps on the run. So the ducks are still spending nights inside, but days in the run. Eventually they will sleep in the doghouse inside the run... until I get another wave of motivation and build them their own standalone duck run palace

I'm so grateful to everyone who shared their own coop photos, stories, and advice. We've got a lot of room for improvement but I'm so happy to have reached this point!

 

[thehomesteadwitch]

You did such a good job! It looks lovely!
And I'm obsessed with your little crested duck. So cute!

 

[Aunt Tat]

What a journey. I read so many articles on here where people built coops and runs in a weekend... this was not that project
View attachment 2749828
View attachment 2749829

We started with an OverEZ coop, because I knew neither my husband nor I had the skills or time to build a coop from scratch.
For the run, we built a roughly 8x16 frame from our stash of slightly used 2x4s (we got them with the property, what luck in a year like this one!). We covered four 16x4 cattle panels with hardware cloth and stood them up in the frame. Then he built a center support, end supports, and a door. The door was the trickiest part!
We also cut some holes in the sides of the OverEZ for more ventilation (and will be adding more along the front under the roof, as well).

Last night was the chicks' first sleepout. They did the usual crying when we put them in the coop at dusk, but once it got dark enough they fell right to sleep, and came strolling out this morning like they'd always lived there. The ducklings are only 4 weeks old and not yet waterproof on their backs; plus we are still doing some patching of 1" gaps on the run. So the ducks are still spending nights inside, but days in the run. Eventually they will sleep in the doghouse inside the run... until I get another wave of motivation and build them their own standalone duck run palace

I'm so grateful to everyone who shared their own coop photos, stories, and advice. We've got a lot of room for improvement but I'm so happy to have reached this point!

According to the Mfg of the Over EZ coop, the windows and small holes provide adequate ventilation for summer heat and for winter so there's enough air flow to prevent chicken toes & combs from getting frost bite.

But my instinct says to add more ventilation.

 

[dreamofwinter]

You did such a good job! It looks lovely!
And I'm obsessed with your little crested duck. So cute!

Isn't she the cutest thing? We're all a little obsessed with her.

 

[Callender Girl]

Good job, and isn't it a relief when construction is finally over!

Your Over EZ looks like mine, and I have a cedar dog house that looks like yours that I used when I was integrating new ducklings into the flock. It now provides a private nesting area for the more modest girls. (Some of my runner ducks will simply drop eggs in the middle of the yard).

The housing is similar, but your run is much more impressive than mine! Congrats on the workmanship!

I love my Over EZ and have not had ventilation problems. Last winter, I left one of the windows completely open and secured a cut-out chunk of a gallon plastic milk jug in front of the window so air came in, but not directly on the girls because I was concerned about ventilation. But, I think your idea sounds better than my solution.

However, in the previous winter, the same six girls lived in the coop with one of the windows just propped open with a horizontal chunk of a 1-by-2, and everyone was fine. I had slightly pried the openings in the round vents open just a bit wider with a screwdriver.

Again, job well done -- and what an adorable little ducky!

 

[dreamofwinter]

I love my Over EZ and have not had ventilation problems.

That's encouraging to hear! We're in eastern Maine, and I'm much more concerned about keeping winter nor'easters OUT of the coop than anything. Your suggestion of milk jugs is great - block the wind but allow airflow. I may try that!
My hope is that we can let the chickens be out in their run as close to 365 days a year as possible. I'll be adding a tarp and probably some temporary walls along the eastern side of the run to provide some windblock in winter. In summer, the coop is in shade from about 3pm onward, so they're protected from any real afternoon sun.

For now they've got both windows open in the coop, and have the built-in vents plus about a 4x6 hole cut next to each vent, covered with hardware cloth. I may wait to cut any more holes and see how things go.

 

[aart]

I may wait to cut any more holes and see how things go.

Removing the soffit material, front and back, is what many have done with this coop.
Makes for good year round ventilation, especially in winter.

 

[Aunt Tat]

Isn't she the cutest thing? We're all a little obsessed with her.
View attachment 2750343

She looks like she's ready for her premiere as Odette in Swan Lake

 

[U_Stormcrow]

According to the Mfg of the Over EZ coop, the windows and small holes provide adequate ventilation for summer heat and for winter so there's enough air flow to prevent chicken toes & combs from getting frost bite.

But my instinct says to add more ventilation.

Of course they are going to say that - very few Mfgs would admit to manufacturing a product not suited for its intended purpose. The key is those windows - any time you have to close them, the available ventilation is reduced by at least an order of magnitude.

Agree with you, Aart, others that the design benefits from additional 24/7 ventilation, close to the roof as can be managed, so as to avoid drafts on the birds.

 

[StinkyAcres]

@dreamofwinter Mind if I ask how you attached the hardware cloth to the cattle panels? I might try this.