Help me make over my ugly coop.

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

We recently bought a coop used from a family who primarily raised rabbits. The coop came with four chickens, so we paid a fair price for the structure, intending to use it as a temporary coop until I can build a better one.

I really need to keep my budget minimal, so I was wanting to make over this coop to a more permanent and more secure structure.

I plan on raising it off the ground with cement blocks to avoid water pooling under and rotting the wood more. I plan on adding a slanted roof with roof supports, three seperate sections that are hinged for ease of cleaning, and access to feed and water.. I would also like to shingle the roof. And I also want to install a door/gate in the run part of the coop so I can permanently secure the run to the coop, and let the hens out during the day to free range. Right now we have to slide the run portion away from the coop to let them out.

But I am not handy with tools, and I need brainstorming ideas.

If you can help me, that would be great. I can add more pics if need.

Angela

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

Oh. Right now the ground cover is leaves that we have raked up and dumped in. The chickens love scratching through and shredding them.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Hi,
Paint.
Elevate either the front or back and put the roost on the higher side and use part of the slanted roof as a hinged access door so you can reach in to take birds off the roost at night or add birds.

The salvaged galvanized panels were cheap and I covered that with a sheet of rubber.
I use EPDM rubber on the roof. Light weight, lasts forever, quick to apply and completely pliable.

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

Quote:
How well do the galvanized panels work to keep out the cold in the winter?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

double post

 

[ChickenCanoe]

nothing keeps out the cold in the winter.

I have other coops with shingled insulated roofs and they're as cold inside as outside.

Unless you have Cubalayas, Fayoumis or another hot weather bird, they fare much better in the cold than the heat. Birds die this time of year but I haven't known of any dieing from the cold. Lack of good ventilation will kill them quicker.
I know my birds are much happier at 20 than at 80.

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

Quote:
That is another problem. How do I add ventilation? I was thinking a low profile vent on the shingled roof, but that might be overkill?

 

[EM Squared Farms]

Hi NotSuperWoman !

I would give you my recommendations, but I know my husband would disagree. He's the builder and does this the "proper way." I just use what I have to build things if he's not around.

I just wanted to write to you to point you to our website with pics of all of our coops, for maybe some ideas for you.

It's under the Purebred Show Chickens Link and the last link is called Chicken Coops.

Check them out and hope you get some ideas out of it.

Thanks,

 

[SimplyMe_AngieD]

Quote:
You sound like me. There is the right way, and then there's the just get it done with what you have way. I usually use the 2nd!

Thank you for the link. I will check it out.

 

[Time-Out]

I would put it on feet that are about the height on the run, then add more to the run underneath, so it is the same height, and add mesh around the feet of the coop to give them some extra run space and shelter.

I would also make the roof pitched front to back by raising the front a bit. You could use that opportunity to put the ventilation in that section (hardware cloth?). What is the roof made of? It looks like thin wood. I'd swap for something, anything, else. Or some roof felt or something to make it a little more weather proof.

The long back wall... I would somehow detach this from the other three and re-attach it in such a way that it is either hinged or removable. I think you'll appreciate that when it comes to cleaning.

Then... you could build a pair of nest boxes to add to the short outside wall closest to the photographer.

Finally.. paint. A good lick of paint can work wonders

I love projects like this. Can I come and help?