I am not a builder!

[WestKnollAmy]

I want to start off by saying I am not a builder. I have no real knowledge of how to do anything in construction at all. I have tinkered with small things like dog houses only to have them fall apart and helped DH build a few coops of which are of questionable construction.
However, I set out to build this all on my own. I wanted a large tractor for my Barnevelders. DH is building one for his Araucanas so I hated to bother him with mine and he works 7 days a week as well.
I had a design all drawn out. Did I mention I'm not a builder of any sort?
Well, this is how it started........

The barn in the back is what I helped my dad build about 20 years ago. Okay, actually, I was his gopher. Dad could build anything I drew on paper but Dad passed away 3 years ago and I should have studied more under him instead of watching clouds scoot by as he did the work.
As you can see, I also have helpers but they get underfoot more than anything. These are just 3 month old chicks.
I messed up on the frame to start and didn't realize till I was a ways along.

I plan to put wheels on and thought to do that at the back so put the board as an insert. Yeah, right! Really, have you guessed, I'm not much of a builder.
I also wanted a slanted front so I could put a sun screen across for when they are out in the field or if it rains a bunch.

I also put wire across the bottom so critters couldn't dig up underneath them. Uh, that is when I realized this sun of a gun was heavy! I dropped it on it's side to attach the wire to the bottom and like to have never got the contraption back up!

And silly me, I can't do doors or windows well. Definitely not doors! And nothing that requires hinges! But I framed them in anyhow.....

I am much further along than this but have to upload the photos. All I have to finish on it is the doors and to permanently attach the plastic roofing or what ever it is.

Okay, stop laughing now. I tried to warn you I am not a builder.

More photos to follow this post tomorrow.......

 

[Emzyyy]

Better than I would do. I tried and ended up tearing it apart to have my dad build one. Prob is he hasn't even started and he prob won't i told him if he didn't then in winter they chickens would be staying in the house.

 

[Chirpy]

It looks like you are doing a wonderful job! Keep it up and have faith in yourself.

 

[KellyHM]

Not bad at all! I'm currently trying to build up the courage to build on to my existing coop. Which, by the way, is a make-shift coop made from my old dog kennel and a tarp with chicken wire over the chain link...talk about not being a builder!

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Thanks, everyone.
Really, this thing is supposed to be mobile. I have no idea how to move the blasted contraption now. It is super heavy so we are thinking BIG wheels to move around the pastures.
With all the lumber I kept adding plus all the screws and staples I put in it, it weighs a ton!

Here it is after I put the roof totally on and the slanted sides. I put a white nesting box in to try and figure out how to arrange the inside of the coop. Oh, and the green wood is what i stole from my DH coop building supplies! That's why it doesn't match the red boards. I didn't get enough wood or paint to start with and didn't want to run all the way back into town for a while.

Well, this is the almost finished product. I put the Barnies out in it for the day to get their reaction. They are less than pleased. They couldn't figure out how to get down from the coop until I put some cantaloupe on the ground. Then they fell out or flew down. Then they never knew how to get back up to their food and water.

I just have a makeshift door there on the side but today built the permanent one. I just need to put it on the hinges. Ugh!
And I still need to anchor the roofing stuff more. It is really more to allow good rain runoff and as a bit of protectant.

I can assure you one thing, there isn't any critter coming through the wire. They may get in through the horrid doors I attach but not through the wire! I wove all that stuff together and wound it around several times.

I did put the little coop door on today. It didn't fit right. Naturally! I just have the worst time with doors and hinges!
I should have the doors finished and on by tomorrow. I have no earthly idea how the heck I am going to move it but I am sure I'll figure something out.
DH told me to put wheels on the back and drag the front with the truck but I am afraid I would bust the frame in front. So maybe I'll put those slanted boards on the truck bed and roll it along. Of course, you can't turn that way....

 

[WestKnollAmy]

And here is what I rigged in the back just so the Barnies could have a day in it. That is the actual piece of plywood for the door but I put it sideways and a piece of wire up for a bit of airflow. Not like they need it. I have airflow places all in the coop inside.

I will take some photos tomorrow of the inside on how I put up the roosts. I plan to have 6 birds in here. Right now I have 4 Barnevelders but I will put 2 Partridge Rock hens in with them and set it in the clover paddock that is beside our house. After about a week, I hope to open the fenced door and let them out to free range each day.

Oh yeah, the dimensions are 6X7' on the bottom where they have open air and the coop is 3X6'. I actually can stand up in it inside but only next to the coop and hope I really don't ever have to.
My next one (Lord willing!) will be much shorter and probably more narrow. I'm thinking maybe only 4' tall and 4X8 including the coop.
I have a lot of birds I want to breed and need more large movable pens. It is really hard to find something large and movable and predator safe!

Have I mentioned I really no good as being a builder?

 

[cmom]

Do you have a tractor? I have mine on skids and move it with my tractor.

 

[ChanceRider]

Congrats! I think you've done an awesome job! DH and I are in the process of building a run attached to our converted shed/chicken coop. Did I mention that we live in the CA gold country foothills and our land isn't flat? I keep telling DH that the chicks can't use a tape measure or a level and that it's GREAT.

Good job tackling it by yourself!

 

[Cetawin]

I like you did a great job. It looks very nice and sturdy. Ya cannot beat that. Well done!

 

[SewingDiva]

I think you've learned far more from your dear father than you give yourself credit for, and I'm quite sure he's smiling down on you right now!

Good work!

Phyllis