Helpful hints for building coops

[CapricornFarm]

Thanks for the link to your coop aart. That is a good looking, simple design. Great explanations and photos - that really helps me a lot. I like your hinged anti-dig apron. Is the 1x2" mesh keeping out the critters? I'm thinking rats could slip thru that and dig their way in if they wanted.

I built a kid cart (tandem stroller) way back when my girls were little. I used some wheel chair wheels. They worked great, and they can handle a lot of weight. I may try to find some of them for my coop, as we have really rough, rocky ground here.

Terri made a big frown when I said "and we just put a tarp on for rain" - I could see her thinking "looking like a homeless camp...". I hope there are some creative ideas around BYC on how to make a more stylish looking hoop coop, without getting too difficult or expensive.

I used a camo patterned tarp on my hoop coop.

 

[CapricornFarm]

And the wire on the lean-to is all tacked on. I took the screen off the screen door and painted the wood. All it needs now is hardware cloth tacked on. I put one hinge on the door frame and will hang the door once the hardware cloth is on.
My Silver collection quail have started laying today! So i built a nest box as well as a dusting tray loft. They need a bigger cage too.

 

[jvls1942]

I had button quail, they never laid in the nest box.. I think a good nest box would contain sand and small round stones.
I knew a guy who invented invisible paint.
he painted the can it was in and never could find it again.
.......jiminwisc......

 

[Rockismith21]

Here’s a look at the coop we’ve built. We’re still not finished but we started and had no idea what we were doing.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I had button quail, they never laid in the nest box.. I think a good nest box would contain sand and small round stones.
I knew a guy who invented invisible paint.
he painted the can it was in and never could find it again.
.......jiminwisc......

I put hay or sand in the nest boxes. The younger ones seem to take to it better.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Here’s a look at the coop we’ve built. We’re still not finished but we started and had no idea what we were doing.

Nice! Keep us posted!

 

[jvls1942]

I took some time yesterday to pick up fallen branches and sticks. got about a half pick up truck load. still have a few to do.
also have some low hanging branches to cut so they don't hit me in the face while I am mowing..
I am thinking of turning my largest chicken coop into a work shop..I think I will mount the wood lathe to a wall. DD Barby just found a 1/2 HP motor for me at a rummage sale. $10.oo.. attached to a grinding wheel and wire wheel.
.......jiminwisc......

 

[CapricornFarm]

I took some time yesterday to pick up fallen branches and sticks. got about a half pick up truck load. still have a few to do.
also have some low hanging branches to cut so they don't hit me in the face while I am mowing..
I am thinking of turning my largest chicken coop into a work shop..I think I will mount the wood lathe to a wall. DD Barby just found a 1/2 HP motor for me at a rummage sale. $10.oo.. attached to a grinding wheel and wire wheel.
.......jiminwisc......

Great find!

 

[CapricornFarm]

The wire is tacked on all the panels we built, i got busy and did that today. Plus i put a bunch of plants in the ground!

 

[CapricornFarm]

The panels with wire on.

First time i ever made a garden gate like this. Once i tack the wire on, it will be done.