First Coop Under Construction -Suggestions, Comments- *PICS*

[Lazarus718]

Are you going to have an enclosed run attached to the house? I find it hard to believe that you guys don't have hawks and eagles up there? What about raccoons? That's awesome how you have used recycled materials wherever possible! I'm building one now and I just topped $500 on the project, I don't have materials laying around nor do I have the time to hunt Craig's list so it is what it is. Someone else on here mentioned the vinyl floor tiles, a must have on my list. Water flies right off of that surface and it will help protect your untreated slats especially if you throw down some cement board first. I needed to cover around 20 sq. ft. with my vinyl and spent $4.50 at Lowes on it. Good job!

 

[thebanthams]

I still like it ! dont forget ramp for the "ladies" feet!

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

yes some of my larger hens just wont fly off the ground, my leghorns and game hens however(wow do they fly)

 

[UrbanBYC]

yes some of my larger hens just wont fly off the ground, my leghorns and game hens however(wow do they fly)

I still like it ! dont forget ramp for the "ladies" feet!

Yes, I have the perfect pieces left for that. Also, I heard if they are not close they will slip. I have plenty of wood and want to make the best ramp I can, so how far apart should they be (the "rungs")



Quote:

Are you going to have an enclosed run attached to the house? I find it hard to believe that you guys don't have hawks and eagles up there? What about raccoons? That's awesome how you have used recycled materials wherever possible! I'm building one now and I just topped $500 on the project, I don't have materials laying around nor do I have the time to hunt Craig's list so it is what it is. Someone else on here mentioned the vinyl floor tiles, a must have on my list. Water flies right off of that surface and it will help protect your untreated slats especially if you throw down some cement board first. I needed to cover around 20 sq. ft. with my vinyl and spent $4.50 at Lowes on it. Good job!

I was surprised too! I will have an enclosed run. I think Ill use 4' chicken wire with petal posts as the run. I wont be covering it. My neighbor told me the racoons will just go for the eggs, hes found them eating eggs, but they show no interest in chickens. He keeps the door to his coop open and its fairly large however what I am going to be doing is during the summer when I don't wake up early, I will have a curtain over the door with flap. This should provide a little security as they would be out of sight. I have hardware cloth to put on the vents so it will be fairly secure if I do close the door, which I will during the winter weekdays. And wow, I did find some vinyl at lowes for only 38cents a sqft. Home depot has some too but they sell in cases of 30.

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

I WOULD THINK EVERY 8 INCHES WOULD BE GREAT

 

[UrbanBYC]

I WOULD THINK EVERY 8 INCHES WOULD BE GREAT

Hmm, that seems kind of far.. I've heard some suggest that if they are to far, they will slide apart and recommend 3-4 inches.

And up to how steep can the ramp be? My coop is about 1.5ft up so would i need the ramp to span over 3ft? 4?

I will try to have some pictures up after I finish painting, I will instal the last of the trim tomorrow hopefully and start giving it its final paint!

 

[TNBEARCHICK]

Hmm, that seems kind of far.. I've heard some suggest that if they are to far, they will slide apart and recommend 3-4 inches.

And up to how steep can the ramp be? My coop is about 1.5ft up so would i need the ramp to span over 3ft? 4?

I will try to have some pictures up after I finish painting, I will instal the last of the trim tomorrow hopefully and start giving it its final paint!

mine are up about 2 ft and i run them about 5 ft with spacing of 6-8 inches and they have no problem

 

[BigRooNTN]

According to your list you are needing buckets so I would suggest going to your local big box store with a deli in it and ask them for some of their buckets they get their products in. The bakery also has need for buckets so that would be another resource. My DW works at the local hospital so she goes to the cafeteria and ask them for their buckets. she gets the pickle buckets but with some soap and water it don't take long for the dill smell to go away

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Your house is looking good.

 

[UrbanBYC]

Ok, the coop is about 95% completed and I took some pictures, Not much added but check out this!

 

[thebanthams]

Looking great!