First coop build ever! *Start to finish progress pictures*

[Siddiqui]

I have a 2 Leghorns and an Easter Egger that are just over a couple months old. When they were about a week old, I started letting them outdoors during the day and bringing them inside the garage in the nighttime. For the week that I was making this, they were inside the barn. Spending a couple hours each evening on building the coop, it took me a little over the span of a week to have it ready for them to be outdoors full time. It's a good size for 3 chickens.....about 4' wide, 3' deep, and about 3' and 2.5' height in the front and back, respectively. I made a slide out tray to make it easier on myself and it allows about 4" of bedding. I added a roost using a 2x4 plank and asphalt shingles for the roof (I didn't use any underlayment other than plywood for that). Things I still have to do is add some shade over the sides in case of heavy rainfall and also spray some sort of sealant over the plywood to help it last longer through Michigan's sudden weather shifts. It's pretty heavy but really sturdy. I used a mix of recycled and new materials so hopefully it'll give someone some cool ideas. I hope y'all like it!

 

[3KillerBs]

Excellent ventilation!

If you can replace the chicken wire with hardware cloth it will be safer. Many predators can tear right through chicken wire.

 

[Siddiqui]

Excellent ventilation!

If you can replace the chicken wire with hardware cloth it will be safer. Many predators can tear right through chicken wire.

Thats a good idea. I'll make sure to add that as well

 

[AllenK RGV]

@aart is from Michigan and can offer better design and predator proofing options than I ever can here in Texas/Mexico. To my eye that is a brooder coop and not one meant for large fowl and Michigan winters. I really do like the pull out poop tray. However, if it is only going to ever house 3 hens and only at night with spot on coop open and closings daily it is completely adequate.

I would toss in a roost for them and add a nesting box to collect eggs on one of the sides. Roofing choice looks great to minimize condensation.

 

[reddogmaster2]

I have a 2 Leghorns and an Easter Egger that are just over a couple months old. When they were about a week old, I started letting them outdoors during the day and bringing them inside the garage in the nighttime. For the week that I was making this, they were inside the barn. Spending a couple hours each evening on building the coop, it took me a little over the span of a week to have it ready for them to be outdoors full time. It's a good size for 3 chickens.....about 4' wide, 3' deep, and about 3' and 2.5' height in the front and back, respectively. I made a slide out tray to make it easier on myself and it allows about 4" of bedding. I added a roost using a 2x4 plank and asphalt shingles for the roof (I didn't use any underlayment other than plywood for that). Things I still have to do is add some shade over the sides in case of heavy rainfall and also spray some sort of sealant over the plywood to help it last longer through Michigan's sudden weather shifts. It's pretty heavy but really sturdy. I used a mix of recycled and new materials so hopefully it'll give someone some cool ideas. I hope y'all like it!

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Well, one man's castle is another man's shanty...

Before I help you out, can you please let me know your age? I applaud any and all youngsters who want to learn carpentry but you might want to get you Dad to help out a little bit with improvements.

 

[aart]

hings I still have to do is add some shade over the sides in case of heavy rainfall and also spray some sort of sealant over the plywood to help it last longer through Michigan's sudden weather shifts.

@aart is from Michigan and can offer better design and predator proofing options than I ever can here in Texas/Mexico. To my eye that is a brooder coop and not one meant for large fowl and Michigan winters. I really do like the pull out poop tray.

Definitely change out the chicken wire for 1/2" HC.
The slide out poop tray, they rarely work well...might work OK with sand.
I'd put that coop in a large, secure, and solid roofed run, sooner rather than later.


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