Hoping to move the girls in this weekend - how did I do?

[Blooie]

I’m calling it “The Pullet Pallet Palace” (to myself, that is) I have 6 7 week olds that are rating to get off our porch.

First time with chickens. I’ve made this all by myself out of 90% up cycled materials - the majority of the frame is pallets. The only things I’ve purchased are 6 2x4s, hardware, the metal roof, and paint and whitewash. Everything else is scrounged. In case it’s not clear, I am not a carpenter. This is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever built.

I’m proud of the whole thing but things I’m particularly pleased with:

Detachable poop board
Back door flush with the coop floor so I can easily sweep out the entire thing (including being able to scrape the poop board right out that back door without removing it)
The top “windows” have a removable 8ft board so I can easily manage ventilation in the summer

What do you think? (Yes I’m going to cover the nest boxes before I move the girls in.)

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Fantastic job! The only thing I’m wondering is you said that your back door is flush with the floor of the coop so you can scrape it out easier. That’s a great idea, but if you are going to use any kind of litter (pine shavings, straw, deep litter) you may fall out of love with that flush door real quick. Every time you open it, you’ll have an avalanche of stuff on your feet. Maybe if you could put an easily removable 6 inch board on the inside of the doorframe you could start scraping away from the door when you open it, take out the litter-holding board, and then reverse directions to pull the stuff out as you planned, it would save your shoes! A cleat on each side of the door frame would allow you to slide it up and down. Just a thought

looks great! don't know where you are located but if it gets cold you might have draft problems with all that venting. Other than that great job!

Actually I have about that much ventilation, if not more, and I’m in Northwestern Wyoming, not far from Yellowstone Park!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

If I understand our ventilation needs correctly, the high windows are probably just right. The cracks between the boards might be breezy in the winter, though.

For a non-carpenter, it’s a work of art!

 

[Blooie]

Well, shoot! My response ended up in body of the quote! I need to fix that and repost.

Edited: All fixed!

 

[littlebarngirl]

Nice Work! 1/4" Hardware cloth seems indestructible. My husband attached with steel screws and washers. This construction works good to keep out burglars! Happy move in day to y'all!

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

I think it looks really good for never making stuff! Lol better then I could do! I think the girls will be fine and enjoy the extra space and things to explore!

 

[21hens-incharge]

You did good!!!

The suggestions from others about hardware cloth and from Blooie on the upgrade for clean out are what I would do.

You should be really proud of that coop! You did a great job!

 

[sharondoright]

GREAt job