I have started building a "MONSTER" of a coop and run!2

[pricem11]

Hey Gregg, my sheathing is OSB too. If we keep oil based paint/stains on it every year or so, how long do you think it will last?

Mark

 

[MissPrissy]

How will you keep your water from freezing in those hoses you are running auto waters from?

 

[GreggsEggs]

pricem11 Wrote:
If we keep oil based paint/stains on it every year or so, how long do you think it will last?

I would hope 10+ yrs if well maintained, maybe longer.

MissPrissy, I will be building a box to go around the hydrant out side and I will insulate the box. As for the hose inside there will be 4) 250 watt red infrared heat lamp bulbs where the 60 watt bulbs are now. Plus with the water will be on and circulating slightly. I would think it will freeze. Kinda like leaving a faucet on with a slight drip so your pipes wont freeze.

But I'm no eggspurt, this is just what I have worked out in my little pea brain.​

 

[allen wranch]

Gregg,
May I make a suggestion.

I have the auto waterers you are using and I love them. I have them in my runs connected to PVC pipe. However, the birds bump against them all the time. Since yours are on a hose they can swing and spill water onto your bedding. Is there anyway you can stabilize them ?

 

[GreggsEggs]

Woo Hew, painting the coop / hen mansion is 90%+ done!!

All that is left is to paint the eves and cut and paint the trim on the door end and the I'll be done painting. I have no plans at this time to paint the inside.

To cut cost, I ripped some deck boards I had laying around to use as trim.

It's getting cooler, the days are getting shorter, and money is getting tighter.....
I should be finishing the inside and building the run during the next two weeks and moving the girls in before the end of the month.

Yes, the white strips down the middle are not lined up on purpose. The trim is covering the seams and expansion gaps . It looks a little funny but serves a purpose.

allen wranch Wrote:
I have the auto waterers you are using and I love them. I have them in my runs connected to PVC pipe. However, the birds bump against them all the time. Since yours are on a hose they can swing and spill water onto your bedding. Is there anyway you can stabilize them ?

I have not put much thought in to that, but I mentioned it the wife and she came up with the idea of attaching a strip of wood to the rafters and zip tying the hose the the wood. A cheap way to stop the sway or swinging of the hoses.​

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Its looking good Gregg.

 

[momma-hen]

Wow! I just found this thread. I can't believe you think you're not a handyman. what an awesome job! Please tell your wife that you'll be heading north after this one.....

 

[GreggsEggs]

It has been a couple months since I posted any picture of the coop and it being finished. I did run out of money for a few weeks in OCT, but I did get the coop finished in NOV. Here are a few pics of the finished coop and runs.

An over all view of the coop and runs.

A few pics of the runs and a few chickens taking advantage of the spring like weather on the 9th of JAN.

The view as you enter the coop. My first section feed/misc. storage.

View heading out, feed/carton/misc storage(in the summer I'll have a few baters going in here).

The first coop is unoccupied till spring when I get my order of chicks.

The second coop area, now housing my SLW and BSL.

3rd coop area, housing my RIR's.

Over view of the 2 occupied coop areas

Over view of all 3 coop areas.

I am going to in the not so distant future build a partial second floor(self like) in the three coop areas. In hopes of giving the girls a little more floor space.


I do not yet have all the chickens I want for now, but yet I have plans in my head on my next coop. It is going to just as long(40ft) but 3x as wide(24ft), and a run added to this one placed in between the two coops, equaling 3, 48' x 10 ' runs one for each breed.

 

[skatcatla]

I just now found your thread, and I have to say, for someone who say's he is not an expert, I am IMPRESSED! Great job!

I had just one question; how did you handle the foundation? It doesn't look like you poured concrete or anything..is there any concern about the building sinking or settling through the seasons?

 

[obsessed]

Wow... so how many chickens total can you put into the mansion?