Helpful hints for building coops

[Molpet]

Today it was warm, so I went out and planted 8 tulip bulbs. Tonight I am hurting at the surgery site. Here I am needed to revive my muscles and my health, yet a small effort is too much. Sigh.

Hopefully it gets a little better every day
Has to be frustrating

 

[SBHDRH]

Lumber is just 2x4 length of the roost that support a piece of plywood covering the roosting area. We spread pdz on that upper level and pine shavings on the floor. Makes cleanup easy bc I can use a kitty litter scooper on that area and means I only change the pine a couple times a year.

How wide is the plywood for the poop area?

 

[SBHDRH]

Great thread! I check in every night now. It seems we are constantly evolving our coop and run. Some of the things that have worked to make things easier for us and the flock:
View attachment 1111973
I added 4 removable for cleaning 2x3 roosing bars at 12" x 12" intervals. You could use 2x4's with larger breeds. We also use trays under roosts and hanging feeders. Trays available at
http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/category/s?keyword=garden+tray or at:
https://www.chewy.com/s?query=dog+crate+replacement+pans&nav-submit-button=

View attachment 1111975
I originally wanted plastic 2x4's but realized they would sag over a 6 ft span.
View attachment 1111976
I added window screen over the predator screen on vent holes today to keep out mosquitoes (not shown). We put vent holes along the sides and at the rooftop. I have plexiglas squares to cover the holes by the perches in cooler weather.
View attachment 1111978
Added raised bed herb boxes around the coop for nibbles and whatever benefits they may supply. Note the wire fencing arch over the bed to keep girls from tilling the bed.

View attachment 1111981
We added a 275 sq ft run made of dog run fencing (2 gates) and dried it in with 2x4 rafters and corrugated Polylite at a 7 degree pitch for runoff. Once we are finished with the adjacent garden, we open the gates and let the girls enjoy the leftovers and till in this year's compost. The compound is surrounded by an electric Premier 1 Poultry Mesh, which hasn't been breeched in the 18 months we have used it.

Great ideas! What is the spacing of your roosts?

 

[CapricornFarm]

We had about an inch of snow here, and it turned to ice. Very pretty!

 

[Sally PB]

We had about an inch of snow here, and it turned to ice. Very pretty!

Just be safe if you're outside, and especially if you have to drive on it.

 

[Molpet]

We had about an inch of snow here, and it turned to ice. Very pretty!View attachment 4023018

Very pretty indeed

 

[jvls1942]

it looks like a scene from the movie
"Dr Zhivago"
when it melts, it will be like it is raining.
we have no snow yet. just cold. it is 5F at noon today
will welcome warm weather when it comes.
I have some plans to work on in my wood shop when it gets warm.

 

[CapricornFarm]

it looks like a scene from the movie
"Dr Zhivago"
when it melts, it will be like it is raining.
we have no snow yet. just cold. it is 5F at noon today
will welcome warm weather when it comes.
I have some plans to work on in my wood shop when it gets warm.

I have loads of work to do outside, as I have done almost nothing in 3 months!

 

[jvls1942]

I have a wood burner in my shop. but it takes quite a while to get the shop warm enough to work without gloves on. once it gets up to 40F outside, it doesn't take too long, then..
in the mean time I will just stay in the warm house and brew beer and wine.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I have a wood burner in my shop. but it takes quite a while to get the shop warm enough to work without gloves on. once it gets up to 40F outside, it doesn't take too long, then..
in the mean time I will just stay in the warm house and brew beer and wine.

My Dad used to make wine with a couple of other guys in the neighborhood.