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

[tspataro]

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.)

 

[sourland]

 

[Wezdin]

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!

 

[tspataro]

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!

Thanks. We’re in New England so I’m definitely concerned about drafts. My plan is that I can grab another 8ft length to close that gap in the winter months. Or two 4ft pieces that I can cover half as needed.

 

[concrete_boots]

Looks good !

 

[jthornton]

Great job recycling materials.

You should put your location in your profile so it's always there.

It looks very narrow but the photo may be distorting the actual width. Chickens can almost fly up vertically but when they fly down they need a lot more room. If the roost is 2' from the floor they need 4' of floor to fly down and stop before hitting the wall or they need a ramp to walk down.

Chicken wire is great for keeping chickens in but does not keep predators out. Hardware cloth is much better for coop security.

The vent on top is excellent and should be open year round, chickens need good ventilation to prevent frost bite in the winter from moisture.

JT

 

[concrete_boots]

Hmm..I have about them same amount of space under my roost, going to make a ramp for them tomorrow to get down, thanks for the pointer !

 

[tspataro]

Thanks JT! Heard. It is a bit wider than it looks in the photos but I will still likely add a ramp. Moving them in tomorrow!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Nice!

 

[blackdog043]

Nice job! I would change out the chicken wire with 1/2" hardware cloth and put latch/lock on the pop door so a raccoon can't push it up.