First coop, redneck design

[Jim11]

Hello,

[FONT=arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif]For my first venture into backyard chickens, I wanted to start as small and easy as possible. (cheap and lazy [/FONT]LOL[FONT=arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif]). With the help of a great friend, we used a old dog crate ($25) and a utility box from Lowe's ($89 after a discount). Scrap wood for the ramp and nest box separator. One of my wife's plastic utility boxes for the actual nest box (will pay for this later). [/FONT]

The crate is 54" x 36" x 45" tall, hole cut for the utility box at one end:


Utility box is roughly 22" x 37" x 24" tall, perch and nest box (no wood chips yet) inside:


Not shown are the bungee straps used to secure the box to the crate, or any of the feed and water containers.

This coop is designed for 2 hens and to be slightly mobile, not full tractor mobile, but can be moved occasionally without major effort.

[FONT=arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif]Comments and [/FONT]criticisms[FONT=arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif] are greatly welcomed. [/FONT]

Thanks for viewing.
-jim

 

[nurse_turtle]

Looks like a good winter coop arrangement, but that box will roast the chickens come summer.

 

[Jim11]

Looks like a good winter coop arrangement, but that box will roast the chickens come summer.

You are correct, and I prefer them fried. (JUST KIDDING! LOL). I plan to put a wire cover over the top that will allow me to prop up the lid at whatever angle is needed.

Thanks for you comment.
-jim

 

[duckinnut]

I would get rid of the inside ramp and give them a little more room. maybe even the outside one too once they get big enough.

 

[waterchicken]

looks great, but you might want to expand..... people tend to get chickenphilia around here

(philia = love, friendship therefore chickenphilia = love of chickens)

 

[joan1708]

I'm not sure about this one. your feed and water will be outside? I don't see any protection for that. the mice and rats can get in it as well as the rain. I don't see any top ventilation in the coop. I hope it works out for you.

 

[CarolJ]

I agree about removing the ladders. Even young chicks can jump pretty high - and without the ladders, they'll have more room. You can always cut holes in the sides of the coop and cover the holes with hardware cloth to provide more ventilation. I agree also that mice, rats and small rodents can get through the wire.

I think you are creative to use inexpensive materials and things you already had to make your coop. And you can always expand if you want to get more chickens later.

 

[Jim11]

Thank you all for the replies.

You can't see in the pic, but the box has 5 holes drilled under each handle on the side. Drilled under the handle to help prevent water from entering and to make it easier to cover as needed, so I do have a little side ventilation from that.

I wasn't sure on the ladder, but it sounds like I can remove that and they will still be able to go in/out easily. I can always add it back if needed.

On the food/water, I've seen pics of the food/water outside of the box, is that not common?

Thanks again for all the comments, very much appreciated!
-jim

 

[Glasshen]

A piece of wood on top of the crate would give shade and rain protection...might need something heavy on top so it doesn't blow away.

 

[Dukeofhawg]

Great idea. I was thinking a perch with shade so they can get out of the sun when they want to....