Homemade Coop...New pics Work in progress

[CoopCrazy]

So I get a email yesterday and my prayers have been answered, someone has 4 laying EE's they want to get rid of. This is amazing news....except " I don't have a coop or run.

So quick call to borrow my sisters SO's tools, she asks what i'm making next thing i know i've got her excited and she's ready to help build the coop like right now. Woohoo
So heres scoop on coop.

Going to makea tractor similar to MSbears. Same garden cart (had one sitting outside rusting for couple months sister never used it so i did.)
4x6x4,two 4 foot roosts, 3 nest boxes on outside with egg lid. Run is a lil small and only temp roughly 7x4. Will be larger eventually as i want a total of 8 chickens in this run.

Questions:
1. How high do the roosts need to be. I'll be using 2x4 as it gets cold here.
2. How high should the nest boxes be. And what diameter for standard hens.
3. I live in Indian and we get alot of high winds,thunderstorms, adn tornadoes. Any ideas on how to anchor this down for bad weather. I am thinking large chain and tree. But an up for other suggestions.
4. Ventilation. Would windows with slide out plexi be enough or should i add more.

Thanks

 

[CoopCrazy]

Anybody. Ideas would be great. Feedback.. Hello (echoes into the distance)

 

[wings]

Quote:
I don't know much about this sort of thing, but:

1. a few feet off the ground is good.

2. same as the roosts. high enough for hen privacy.

3. can't help you there.

4. I think that's good. the key is that they are above head level for the chickens, so they don't get cold. there's a difference between drafts and ventilation.

I'll be watching for pictures!


edited to add: I would change the title of your post. It might help get more people's attention.

 

[CoopCrazy]

I appreciate it. I guess i'm not good at getting peoples attention. This is the first forum i've been on. Thanks

 

[wings]

Quote:
Don't worry about it. I would re-post something about all your questions. People like quick threads!

 

[redoak]

3. I live in Indian and we get alot of high winds,thunderstorms, adn tornadoes. Any ideas on how to anchor this down for bad weather. I am thinking large chain and tree. But an up for other suggestions.

Home Depot has an Arrow Auger Anchor Kit for Storage Building for $39.00 and should work for your coop. Sounds like your idea would work also.​

 

[Zahboo]

"Going to makea tractor similar to MSbears. Same garden cart (had one sitting outside rusting for couple months sister never used it so i did.)
4x6x4,two 4 foot roosts, 3 nest boxes on outside with egg lid. Run is a lil small and only temp roughly 7x4. Will be larger eventually as i want a total of 8 chickens in this run.

Questions:
1. How high do the roosts need to be. I'll be using 2x4 as it gets cold here.
2. How high should the nest boxes be. And what diameter for standard hens.
3. I live in Indian and we get alot of high winds,thunderstorms, adn tornadoes. Any ideas on how to anchor this down for bad weather. I am thinking large chain and tree. But an up for other suggestions.
4. Ventilation. Would windows with slide out plexi be enough or should i add more.

A 4x6 coop ain't really big enough for 8 chickens. There should be 4 sq foot per hen, and you still need room for feeder and waterer."


1. I would make them 2' high, make sure they are both the same height to prevent the hens fighting for the top roost.
2. 18" I think. I had 12x12x14 nest boxes and they worked well
3. LOL. I am not sure about this, but make sure the roof stays down.
4. That should be fine. I have seen people use hardware mesh with plywood flaps in case of less than ideal weather.​

 

[CoopCrazy]

Thanks for the feedback. I decided to hold off for a few days before getting my girls. Make sure everything is set for them.

We werent able to use the cart as it had an issue with one brace. Kept trying to fall over.
So we'll keep it on a foundation for now.
The four by six is only going to be for 4 hens for the next few months. So i think it will be fine.
Will expand when it gets warmer I already have a few ideas. Thanks again for the advice.

 

[wings]

Quote:
Yeah, I would think 4 by 6 is good enough (6 sq. ft. per bird). Will they have a yard?

 

[CoopCrazy]

I wil;l have a four by seven attached run for a few weeks. Moving every other day to new ground. Am working on larger run but must wait for next paycheck. Went a lil and over budget on coop, chickens, chicks ,etc. Planning atleast 10x 20 run but just depends a money. Single parent and all.