Hi All,
I gave up and bought a coop. We're just too untalented and under-confident to attempt to build something ourselves. I got this kit from Ebay - super easy to put together, took me a little pinch over 1 hour. I'm a little concerned about the quality however and a few questions to see what would keep it together longer and more secure for the chickens.
First, the inside ceiling panel- not visible here - buckled down sometime after assembly. I'm annoyed. There is a large crack, and I tried to force it back upwards, no good. I thought the piece was solid plywood under the roof, and figured I could screw in a hook to hang a feeder but I can see now that is not going to work. I am trying to waste as little space as possible with the water and feeders. I saw good ideas from other BYC folks for putting the food inside the coop, but I don't think there's enough room in this thing to do that
I was thinking I could squeeze it in to one of the 2 nest boxes?? I don't want anything near the sides that will draw rats any more than just the chickens alone.
I'm concerned about putting any holes in this thing - but I want to put it on wheels so I can move it around. First thought was two wheels under the nest box side, then just make a rope/hook something on the front to be able to drag it. However, my dad suggested that I could set it up on a sled and glue all the wood to the underside, to avoid putting too many screws. It says it's 'fir' - I don't think it's composite but it seems soft, and my dad thinks it will rot quickly where it's touching the ground. He's the engineer, so I'm wanting him to come here and build the wheel base! But if anyone can see a smarter solution, please weigh in with what you have done!!
Also I thought about adding a run off the main coop door. We are limited to 2 chickens by city ordinance. The covered area is about 63" x 28" but it still looks small to me. We have a couple of pallets we found that we think we can use to make a sled or eventually a side run. And there won't be any free range unless we are home and outside, b/c we are hawk central here.
My questions...
1) Would painting over the wood make it last longer? It's finished but ??
"High quality non toxic kiln-dried(72hours drying, not just 24hours for regular drying) solid fir wood (cold weather pine) and mesh wire"
2) Is it safe to have the bottom of the run open to the ground? It's heavy and I am sure we are going to have some night time visits from rats and raccoons. The bottom of the coop is open to the ground. I am really worried about things digging in. I can close the door at night but if we are gone for a night or two, and I leave it open...I was thinking if we are moving it every few days that anything trying to dig in would get discouraged but until we actually have birds in there I just don't know.
I was wondering if it makes sense to line the bottom in hardware cloth too. Or if doing that will keep the chickens from being able to get into the dirt or be hard on their feet?
I also saw a tractor on here that someone else made, and they extended the hardware cloth almost like an apron out from the sides of the tractor. I thought that will make it harder to move and kill our grass faster, but might make it a lot safer.
3) And last question - how often would I need to move the coop around to give them fresh grass? I was just wondering how quickly 2 standard breed girls can make dirt of the lawn
. I believe we're going to be getting barred rocks from a friend who's got a whole mess of chickens but we are waiting a few more weeks since we're going to be gone at the beginning of the month for 4 days so we'll see what he's got ready when we return....
Sorry I know this is long! We're just getting excited and want to have everything ready! And I'm a world class worrier, so have been anticipating all the visitors we're going to be having and how to keep them at bay....
thanks for any suggestions!!
Wendy
I gave up and bought a coop. We're just too untalented and under-confident to attempt to build something ourselves. I got this kit from Ebay - super easy to put together, took me a little pinch over 1 hour. I'm a little concerned about the quality however and a few questions to see what would keep it together longer and more secure for the chickens.
First, the inside ceiling panel- not visible here - buckled down sometime after assembly. I'm annoyed. There is a large crack, and I tried to force it back upwards, no good. I thought the piece was solid plywood under the roof, and figured I could screw in a hook to hang a feeder but I can see now that is not going to work. I am trying to waste as little space as possible with the water and feeders. I saw good ideas from other BYC folks for putting the food inside the coop, but I don't think there's enough room in this thing to do that
I was thinking I could squeeze it in to one of the 2 nest boxes?? I don't want anything near the sides that will draw rats any more than just the chickens alone.
I'm concerned about putting any holes in this thing - but I want to put it on wheels so I can move it around. First thought was two wheels under the nest box side, then just make a rope/hook something on the front to be able to drag it. However, my dad suggested that I could set it up on a sled and glue all the wood to the underside, to avoid putting too many screws. It says it's 'fir' - I don't think it's composite but it seems soft, and my dad thinks it will rot quickly where it's touching the ground. He's the engineer, so I'm wanting him to come here and build the wheel base! But if anyone can see a smarter solution, please weigh in with what you have done!!
Also I thought about adding a run off the main coop door. We are limited to 2 chickens by city ordinance. The covered area is about 63" x 28" but it still looks small to me. We have a couple of pallets we found that we think we can use to make a sled or eventually a side run. And there won't be any free range unless we are home and outside, b/c we are hawk central here.
My questions...
1) Would painting over the wood make it last longer? It's finished but ??
"High quality non toxic kiln-dried(72hours drying, not just 24hours for regular drying) solid fir wood (cold weather pine) and mesh wire"
2) Is it safe to have the bottom of the run open to the ground? It's heavy and I am sure we are going to have some night time visits from rats and raccoons. The bottom of the coop is open to the ground. I am really worried about things digging in. I can close the door at night but if we are gone for a night or two, and I leave it open...I was thinking if we are moving it every few days that anything trying to dig in would get discouraged but until we actually have birds in there I just don't know.
I was wondering if it makes sense to line the bottom in hardware cloth too. Or if doing that will keep the chickens from being able to get into the dirt or be hard on their feet?
I also saw a tractor on here that someone else made, and they extended the hardware cloth almost like an apron out from the sides of the tractor. I thought that will make it harder to move and kill our grass faster, but might make it a lot safer.
3) And last question - how often would I need to move the coop around to give them fresh grass? I was just wondering how quickly 2 standard breed girls can make dirt of the lawn
. I believe we're going to be getting barred rocks from a friend who's got a whole mess of chickens but we are waiting a few more weeks since we're going to be gone at the beginning of the month for 4 days so we'll see what he's got ready when we return.... Sorry I know this is long! We're just getting excited and want to have everything ready! And I'm a world class worrier, so have been anticipating all the visitors we're going to be having and how to keep them at bay....
thanks for any suggestions!!
Wendy
on your choice for a coop! You can get some Barn paint at a hardware store to paint your coop. That will seal & protect the wood. I got some for mine, it was only $18.00 for a gallon, & I have plenty foe touch-ups & my add-ons. ( we will probly get more hens. LOL!)
