First Time Coop Builder

So I was kinda hoping that I would qualify for the 8k dollar tax credit with this coop... but I don't..

So here are pictures of what I have done thus far.. and I feel like its coming along quite nicely. I did not have any plans on paper, just on my head.. and tried to make things work as I went along...

My basic design included a coop that was semi-permanent, but on wheels to be moved as the house is for sale. I wanted something big enough to be able to have the couple chicks I have now, plus a couple more down the road. I figured 8x12 should be just about right, and that would give me 96 square feet of floor space inside, or enough room for +/- 30 chickens.

Pictures from Day 3



The frame has changed quite a bit since then, as I changed the kingpost and crossbeam.

The following two are the outside of the coop as it sits today, the doors that I built are a little crooked, but functional. I started the roof, by laying asfault paper down on both sides, and was interupted by a thunderstorm, which of course has taken the paper back off for me. I have since desided to hire somebody to come do the roof for me, as I do not like working at heights, or on roofs; and this one is steep, with a 45 degree pitch, you cant walk on it without some kind of extra footing. The doors were made 4' x 7' just incase when we move, we arn't allowed to have chickens, the coop can be converted into a shed, where we can keep the lawn mowers or ATV's.




The floors were covered with linoleum flooring that I got at the 2nd hand recycling company. The inside of the coop has an atrium, that is off limits to the chickens, equipped with nesting box access, a storage cabinet, a loft with food access, a tabletop work area and a brooding box/ non-bio isolation area.

(this area under construction)


(now pretty much done, just waiting for some paint)




The chickens quarters have 2x 7' natural roosting bars, with a poopboard. A kitchen table, with feed trough and waterer. Also access to their 6x 1'x1' nesting boxes. They now have 65 sq feet of floor space, which on top of the lineoleum will have deep litter. I have had to move them in prematurely, as they outgrew the dog crate I was using as a brooder so very quickly. This has slowed down my progress alot, as I find myself playing with them, more then working on the coop.





Future plans include painting (inside and out), the roof, moving to final position which is done by towing with the explorer, and then building the run which will be attached to the back side of the garage.

If anyone has any suggestions, comments, or questions I am all ears. This is my first building project, and I think its good just for the simple fact that its still standing.

Thanks for viewing,
Justin
(23) Millersville, Maryland

 

Thanks.

bfrancis- amazing similarities, must have planned this together and we diddnt know about it. Lol..