OK all. This is my first time trying to upload photos so hopefully this works.
I am turning a portion of my backyard shed into a coop for my chickens... well, the chicks I ordered last week that will arrive next week that will grow up to be chickens.
Anyway here's my self-constructed coop in progress. The DH isn't one for helping out with this YET so this is me and my non-building code knowing self. I am trying to make the entire coop out of things I already have. Note, most of the wood is from the privacy fence we recently took down in the backyard. The nest boxes are made from a shelf that was already in the shed. I am considering adding two ground level ones made out of some old plastic, planting, square boxes I have in the garage. The screws are all from the old fence as well. I used a whole fence panel to line the wall of the shed for extra insulation and to prevent rot when I do the layering of pine shavings.
I think I will have to buy laminate for the floor. I was going to use the left over tiles from our house, but I would have to by a scoring tool to make them fit right. At that point, heck it's just easier to buy some laminate scrap for $10. Also have to get some wire fencing for the interior for the "open" wall. Planning on making a door for the right side opening by the nesting boxes and cutting the chicken door on the left side bottom of the shed. Eventually there will be an enclosed run outside on the left side of the photo against the fence.
I also found some great 2" diameter branches outside the house today and will use those for perches. It was a great day to work on the coop here in Colorado. 45 degrees with some fairly strong winds. But, the inside of the coop was nice and toasty in the sunshine. Good to know for next winter when I have the hens out in it. No drafts and little noise.
The size of this coop area is apx. 38" wide and 8 feet long. I am only looking to have 4-6 hens. Let me know what you all think so far. This is 3 hours of work. Hand saw (no electric or power saws) and an electric drive/driver.
I am turning a portion of my backyard shed into a coop for my chickens... well, the chicks I ordered last week that will arrive next week that will grow up to be chickens.
Anyway here's my self-constructed coop in progress. The DH isn't one for helping out with this YET so this is me and my non-building code knowing self. I am trying to make the entire coop out of things I already have. Note, most of the wood is from the privacy fence we recently took down in the backyard. The nest boxes are made from a shelf that was already in the shed. I am considering adding two ground level ones made out of some old plastic, planting, square boxes I have in the garage. The screws are all from the old fence as well. I used a whole fence panel to line the wall of the shed for extra insulation and to prevent rot when I do the layering of pine shavings.
I think I will have to buy laminate for the floor. I was going to use the left over tiles from our house, but I would have to by a scoring tool to make them fit right. At that point, heck it's just easier to buy some laminate scrap for $10. Also have to get some wire fencing for the interior for the "open" wall. Planning on making a door for the right side opening by the nesting boxes and cutting the chicken door on the left side bottom of the shed. Eventually there will be an enclosed run outside on the left side of the photo against the fence.
I also found some great 2" diameter branches outside the house today and will use those for perches. It was a great day to work on the coop here in Colorado. 45 degrees with some fairly strong winds. But, the inside of the coop was nice and toasty in the sunshine. Good to know for next winter when I have the hens out in it. No drafts and little noise.
The size of this coop area is apx. 38" wide and 8 feet long. I am only looking to have 4-6 hens. Let me know what you all think so far. This is 3 hours of work. Hand saw (no electric or power saws) and an electric drive/driver.
