Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[drstratton]

The girls have been scratching the ground around and underneath the old playhouse for a little bit now, but I just finally coaxed them up into it! This is your future coop, girls, better get comfortable!

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Magrat went up first (well... I picked her up and brought her in). Gytha followed immediately behind, then I picked up Esme and put her in, and then after a few minutes Sybil came to check it out too!

Aliss was standing frozen at the bottom of the steps for like, 5 minutes. The goofball.
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"I dunno about this, guys..."

But with a little coaxing from Sybil, Aliss finally made her way up the steps.
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Have I mentioned that they're practically inseparable?

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They did a little rummaging through leaves and nutshells...

And Esme decided it was time for her to go
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"I'll be back in a few!"

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Sybil always starts the snoozefest.

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Gytha joins with gusto for a Twosday pic!

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The gang's almost all here (Esme decided to scratch underneath the playhouse instead of coming back up).

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Great spot for a lookout!

This is going to be such an amazing space for them!

 

[SimpleJenn]

@TOMTE We're both converting playhouses into coops! In fact, I got my idea from seeing yours. :3

 

[rural mouse]

I just read Chicory’s answer and I think she is correct that the OSB will be too heavy. And why do you need it on both sides anyway?

I was thinking so the window can be open all summer, so the inside is exposed to the weather and to keep the insulation from being exposed, but as a mite/mice haven I'm re thinking that. I think I want the bird hatch to open inward, so can latch to the inside of the big door.

The window....as a Dutch door, I would still have to double frame it so I can close it in the winter, yet leave it open at night in the summer.

Bracing....If I don't clad the inside and use something thinner than the OSB to lighten the weight, will it still warp? What would be sturdy enough that a predator can't simply lean against it and bust through?

 

[drstratton]

She's gorgeous

I think so too! Love her color and sweet little face!

 

[Ponypoor]

Ok guys I need some maths checked.

Went out to let the chooks out this morning and found babies roaming the yard.....did I not get something latched securely? How did you guys get out? Everything closed and latched....bottom of people door has been trying to fall apart. Babies figured out how to get out through it.

Came home from work with a tape measure. Will be picking up 2 x 2s and OSB tomorrow.

Here's the sketch
View attachment 4179931I'm looking at door frame, clad in osb (and sealed with something weather proof that won't harm the birds, suggestions on that would be appreciated). Adding a bird door in the door, lower right. Turning the upper half into a window (inside covered with hardware cloth, what size washers and screws to hold it securely). The window has a door that closes into it for winter protection.

I'm calculating 36 feet 8 inches of 2 x2 for all the framing. 7/16 inch OSB for the cladding. At 96 x 48 inches, will 1 sheet be enough to clad both sides of the door?

Planning on filling spaces with foam insulation. Long term thought: when can replace the coop with some sort of shed (double doors for cleaning), can move this one to it for daily access.

Edit: measures based upon 1/4 inch gap on each side of doors for movement and 1.5 inch width on the 2 x 2s. Also, what size screws to fasten 2x2s and what size for the OSB? And getting 36 feet 8 inches for total 2x2 length

@BY Bob @bgmathteach @RoyalChick @Ponypoor

I would suggest using 2x4 rather than 2x2. You can use 2x2 but for stability and stiffness I would use 2x4.

For OSB if your using a 2x2 then 3/8ths should be sufficient. You can then use the whole sheet for the door, just cut the required openings for window and chook door.

Use the 2x2s for framing around the openings.

I’ll take a photo of the doors I have done.

Trip to Meyers in Polk Ohio

The retail store so dangerous lol They had just two bins set up tractor supply style - one for bantam pullet chicks and one for straight run bantams. They do not allow anyone past the retail store though to keep bio security tight! I did resist the temptation of the bantam pullet bin, it was not easy let me tell ya!
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First box opening - so tiny!!!!
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Omg the poof one, it’s so big! This baby is already, overachieving day one outta the egg.
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Bantam cochin cuteness
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Another silkie baby pic and then I drove back home. 6 hrs total drive time but totally worth it so they could avoid the USPS. View attachment 4180192

OMG! So adorable! Congratulations

 

[TOMTE]

This is going to be such an amazing space for them!

Eventually! Getting all the materials is going to take a while. But I'm soooo excited!

@TOMTE We're both converting playhouses into coops! In fact, I got my idea from seeing yours. :3

YAY! I'm hyped to see how yours turns out!!

 

[RoyalChick]

I was thinking so the window can be open all summer, so the inside is exposed to the weather and to keep the insulation from being exposed, but as a mite/mice haven I'm re thinking that. I think I want the bird hatch to open inward, so can latch to the inside of the big door.

The window....as a Dutch door, I would still have to double frame it so I can close it in the winter, yet leave it open at night in the summer.

Bracing....If I don't clad the inside and use something thinner than the OSB to lighten the weight, will it still warp? What would be sturdy enough that a predator can't simply lean against it and bust through?

Is it a standard sized door? You might want to look at new doors. Most of my coop doors were salvaged from a house that was being demolished but I ended up one short and a new one from Home Depot cost less than the lumber needed to make it. I removed two panels and replaced with h/ware cloth. Then you could attack your ‘shutter’.
I also salvaged shutters for my salvaged windows and replaced their panels with h/w cloth so I can have the windows wide open in the summer.

 

[featherhead007]

Safe journey
Please don't leave your heart in San Francisco

My heart belongs to you!

 

[featherhead007]

Safe journey
Please don't leave your heart in San Francisco

This place is truly romantic.

 

[rural mouse]

I would suggest using 2x4 rather than 2x2. You can use 2x2 but for stability and stiffness I would use 2x4.

For OSB if your using a 2x2 then 3/8ths should be sufficient. You can then use the whole sheet for the door, just cut the required openings for window and chook door.

Use the 2x2s for framing around the openings.

I’ll take a photo of the doors I have done.

OMG! So adorable! Congratulations

I was going to go with 2 x 4s on edge, making the door the depth of the 4 (3.5 inches), then in taking measurements, realized the door stop is too shallow and I really don't want to move it, too. I also don't want to angle cut the corners....Will see what price differences there are between the x2s and x4s. That's also going to affect screw length.... hmmmm...


What about caulk/sealant? Long term weather resistant, not going to harm the birds.... if I have to let it cure for a week to be safe, I'll do that in favor of being weather safe.