How big of a run for 10-12 chickens?

[PapaChaz]

In my book, cutting one piece of HC is worth it. Although I'm currently using tin snips...wahh

ohh look, Harbor Freight has HD metal shears for $47. @PapaChaz would these work on the HC or welding wire?
http://www.harborfreight.com/14-gauge-4-amp-heavy-duty-metal-shears-68199.html

looks like it should do the job. It's marketed mainly for cutting metal roofing panels. That's what mine was marketed as, and they work great for both. I'll suggest something, before you buy that one though. If you have a metal dealer in the area, that sells metal building panels, call and see if they have one in stock and what they get for it. Although it was almost 5 years ago now, I didn't pay anywhere near $80 for mine, it was about the cost of the harbor freight one. Maybe I just got a good deal on one

 

[Finnie]

My in laws are truly wonderful people. I'm very blessed to have a wonderful extended family.

Amen to that! I love my in laws too.

 

[Finnie]

Quote:
That's a good idea. Worth checking into.

 

[TxChick77]

Got lots done today.
Finished the exterior of the nesting boxes

I lined the lid with roofing felt.

I need to make one more divider for a total of 5. I plan on getting litter boxes to put the shavings into for easier changes.

I went out multiple times yesterday while it was raining to see how the front overhang effected the joint. Even without the lid, the interior of the box was pretty dry. But I'll keep an on it to see if i need to make some adjustments.

For the inside, I still need to put up the paneling where my poop board and roost will be.

I still gots a hole on that end in the floor. The plywood is cut, I just ran out of energy to haul from the garage. I have scraped my plans to use vinyl and coat the floors, up the walls, and back wall of the poop board with Blackjack 57.

Planning on adding a vertical sliding run door so I can add an automatic motor down the road.

The ramp needs some steps and to be attached (this was an abandoned Christmas project that I planned to modge podge an family photo. The boards were scrapes therefore warped)

Put the screened human door that I made last week while it rained. Got the measurements off a little so it wouldn't fit inside the studs. Had to mount it outside the frame. Oh well. Still works.
Ignore the trim at the top. I tried piecing together some 1x4 and my ocd self can't deal with it. I'll go back with full pieces.

Got the other small wall closed in (again ignore the trim..redoing it all. Leason learned. Trim when ALL work is done so all the pieces fit together )

Ive got this one lone corner to finish the siding. It's under the nesting box and that corner was a little to muddy to roll around in.

Feels good to be so far along. Wont get to work on tomorrow. My son has a dr appt and then date night with the hubby. We're leaving Friday to go visit my in laws for the weekend. My MIL is also adding chicks to her farm so we're building her a coop as well.


Question. We have this contraption that was left by the previous owner of our home. We thought about taking it to the farm for my FIL to stack firewood but before I put it on the trailer, can anyone think of something that it can be used for in the run? Its 8' long. 4.5' high and 2' wide.

 

[PapaChaz]

all I can say is WOW you are doing such an awesome job on this!

just to let you know, I subscribed to this thread so I can keep up.


as for the wood rack, is it something you could take apart? if It could be made wider by taking it apart and doing so, it could maybe be a quarantine cage for sick or new birds........

 

[TxChick77]

Yay!! A fan
thanks so much for all your words of wisdom and insight (everyone). Its has really helped me.

I didnt look at the joints all that closely, but it was pretty solid when we moved away from the garage the other day.

I wonder if I wrap it with fencing/wire for composting? Seems i might have an abundance soon

all I can say is WOW you are doing such an awesome job on this!

just to let you know, I subscribed to this thread so I can keep up.


as for the wood rack, is it something you could take apart? if It could be made wider by taking it apart and doing so, it could maybe be a quarantine cage for sick or new birds........

 

[PapaChaz]

the compost bin might work, but with compost you need to be able to turn it occasionally, and then get it out when you want it........

yeah, you have a fan, LOL

glad I could be of some help. I do enjoy helping when I can

 

[Finnie]

I'm a fan, too!

I'm really impressed with the craftsmanship you have put into it. I really like the dog eared boards on the nest box lid. After seeing the photos of the interior, aren't you glad you decided to make the whole thing into the coop?

Now I want to see how you build the one for your in-laws!

 

[aart]

I think that metal rack would be perfect for a fire wood rack.
It's really too shallow at 2' for composting.

You could take it apart and use the material for something else, tho I find working with metal a whole different skill set, one I'm not that good at.....
......and you need some different tools.

Angle grinder with grinding and cut off wheels, I keep a different set of drill bits for metal use and a can of cutting fluid can really help......
....then eventually (pretty quick) you'll want a welder

 

[Finnie]

Hey TxChick, how's your progress coming on your coop?