future coop and run

[PapaChaz]

Or they decide to roost in the coop framework and scare the pee-waddin' out of you when you go out late at night to check on them. <sigh>

been there done that, is why I laugh with you............

 

[PapaChaz]

adding a few pics of things we've managed to finally get done. About the only thing I haven't done is the water system, that's next on the list, but there have been other things that have absorbed me the last month or so.

We managed to get some landscape cloth over part of the run for shade and rain deflection. It was windy the day we did this, so there's a few wrinkles that need to come out. I need at least one more wrap, so when I do that I'll straighten it some:



Also, I finally got my tractor back together and have gotten some yard work done. We put in a big flower bed and the left over edging made a small circle for a dirt bath area, since the run has several inches of wood chips:



A little more decorating, we found a plant hanger at TSC the wife liked, so it's now hanging on the porch with one of her Mothers Day plants on it. We also put an old RR lantern on the other side of the porch just for looks.




We're supposed to get rain over the next 3 or 4 days, so I managed to get the yard and around the coop cut up and some grass seed out. Now if the rain will come on, instead of dirt in my pictures I'll have grass!


Will finalize the thread when I get the water system in!

 

[aart]

Nice!

 

[Blooie]

Fantastic!!!!

 

[Steve P]

Looking good

 

[PapaChaz]

Ok probably the last post in this thread, then I'll go see if I can find that "my coop" page and do a write up on the build.

I finally got around to doing the PVC water system today. I found a 30 food grade barrel, would have preferred a 55, but I happened to drive right by this guy's place and he had several of them. $10. I already had some 1/2" pvc, so I went with that. The bulkhead connector for going through the barrel was the most expensive part of this! you can get them for any of the common sizes.

I plan to eventually hook this to the gutter on the coop, but for now with all the avian flu going around, I don't want to do that with the chance bird droppings can get into the water system. I don't let my kids out to free range, so once I hear things are back to almost normal, I'll go ahead and do that. I did go ahead and put the hole in the top of the side for the overflow pipe, and for now I'll fill through there with the garden hose.

I built a platform for the barrel out of some stuff I had already, though I did buy a couple of new 2x4's.....
so here's some pics.
bulkhead through the barrel

the piping and nipples for inside the run



installed

I went back out through the hardware cloth with a cut off and down spout that goes lower than the nipples to act as a syphon when I need to drain it. I have plenty of room to put in a compression fitting for easy disconnect. If it looks like that will be needed I'll do it. I also put the nipples at a little different height, we'll see if it makes a difference as to which they prefer.



I'll store my bucket for when I put in the temp dividers for quarantine/new bird introductions.....

so that pretty much wraps it up. Of course as you all know, when you're never REALLY finished..........HA

hope you've enjoyed the coop build! I have enjoyed the interactions, suggestions and conversation while this was underway!

 

[PapaChaz]

I've discovered my new water system leaks. The nipples leak a little bit. I didn't put teflon tape on them, but I don't think it's leaking around them, I think they're leaking directly from the nipple itself. I wonder if it's because the extra water pressure from the 30 gallon barrel, anyone?

 

[aart]

I've discovered my new water system leaks. The nipples leak a little bit. I didn't put teflon tape on them, but I don't think it's leaking around them, I think they're leaking directly from the nipple itself. I wonder if it's because the extra water pressure from the 30 gallon barrel, anyone?

Those vertical ones can dribble a bit, while in use or static....why I like the horizontal ones better, but they all can have some dripping when the birds drink.

The extra pressure would more likely seal then tighter as the seal work by gravity.

Observe closely to see where the leak is originating and if it's enough to be a concern.......at least it's outside and not in the coop.

 

[Blooie]

x2 That's the biggest reason I switched from vertical to horizontal. I use my old vertical waterer for new chicks, because it takes them less strength to get enough water out of it. But as soon as they have it down, and they are a little stronger, the vertical gets cleaned out and put away for the next batch of chicks and they are on the horizontal ones. Even walking under the waterer and bumping it with their backs or heads is enough to send little drips down the vertical nipples.

 

[MarximusMG]

Very nice design and really well executed! Congrats!