First coop!

[welby1205]

So far have only spent $100. All wood siding and roof was free. There are no nesting boxes yet, or a chicken door, since we have to build the run. Overall very pleased. There is ventilation on all sides except the garage wall. We also want to put in another window. And I still need a handle for the door and for the window.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Beautiful job.
Another window is a good idea.
If you're getting chicks, you won't need the nests till they're about 17 weeks old.
I guess the ventilation space at the top is covered (or will be) with hardware cloth?

 

[welby1205]

...

Beautiful job.
Another window is a good idea.
If you're getting chicks, you won't need the nests till they're about 17 weeks old.
I guess the ventilation space at the top is covered (or will be) with hardware cloth?
[/quote

I have chicks, they are about 5 weeks old. Yes, there is hardware cloth up there, just hard to see.

 

[timemine]

It looks like your latch is a self locking gate latch. If it is, be aware you could lock yourself in the coop. I locked myself in my shed this morning and it was awful. Fortunately I had my phone and could call someone to let me out.

 

[scooter147]

timemine is sooooooo right.

I actually did that years ago.

If you keep that latch tie a piece of string to the eye of the latch and run it through the hardware cloth at the top and tie it off in the coop.

I did the string thing for a while and it got old and I replace the latch.

 

[Athaid]

The pictures aren't loading for me.. :/

 

[welby1205]

It looks like your latch is a self locking gate latch. If it is, be aware you could lock yourself in the coop. I locked myself in my shed this morning and it was awful. Fortunately I had my phone and could call someone to let me out. 

Lucky for me the door is snug and I don't need to close it all the way when I'm in it. But I will have a fail safe eventually.