I started converting my shed into a coop

[Rvl Rookie]

I don't think I'll wall off any of the shed, because I like how much room there is to move around in there. When the chickens are in there, I'll probably spend some time sitting on the floor in there with them.

I have some vents that I bought from Lowe's, and plan to put them in soon (probably tomorrow, if it doesn't rain again). There will be roughly 16"x8" vents front and back, covered with hardware cloth, and each will have two 16"x4" louvered vent covers to stop rain from going in. They were on clearance for 25 cents each, and I think will function as well as the $20 vet covers I was looking at.

They also had 8'x2" soffit vents on clearance, for 31 cents each, so I got a few of those and I'm trying to figure out how to mount them. The hardest part for me is cutting the holes, so I may have to wait for my SIL to do that. I haven't seen a Habitat Restore around here yet, but I'm still learning my way around the area. I did check CL, but didn't find any windows cheap enough.

The oil stained floor I talked about is plywood, not concrete. You can see that the shed/coop is sitting on cinder blocks, and that's why I wanted to use the hardware cloth in an effort to keep predators from going under there.

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

 

[Rvl Rookie]

I put the front vent in, but still need to do the back one tomorrow.



I got a couple bales of straw this afternoon, and started throwing it in there. I also figured out how to use the timer on my camera (wearing my reading glasses occasionally helps), so I set it on my tailgate and go in there. LOL

 

[Rvl Rookie]

The vent is in, but I figure I'll make a bigger one when I have the money.





I made the framework of a gate, so that when the run is made I'll be able to get in there.


I made a spot to hold a dog waterer, with a 2 liter Coke bottle.

 

[Rvl Rookie]

I brought the roosters home late last night, and spent a while out there with them this morning.


Up on the roost.


They kind of squat down, but don't really mind being petted.


They found the chicken door right away, but the run isn't done yet so they won't be let out until Sunday.


Now I need to check with my friend about getting those four laying hens.

 

[uptail]

You've come a long way with your coop!! I am amazed at people who have the creative talent for doing their own coops,......unlike myself who had to succumb to buying a pre-built one.

Keep up the great work! I am sure your birds will love it.

 

[Bullitt]

It looks like you are almost finished. It looks good. I am guessing you will want more than four hens after you get those four.

Did you climb a ladder to put in the vents, or did you get someone to do that for you? Just curious.

 

[Rvl Rookie]

Thanks for the compliments.

I had my son carry our ladder out there (8' step ladder), and I climbed up there and did it. It was fairly precarious for me, and I couldn't hold my circular saw up high like that, so I started by drilling holes with a spade bit and then used the reciprocating saw for the cuts. They aren't very straight or professional looking, but I made it so that the vent covers hide it pretty well. I couldn't put the ladder on the uneven ground outside the coop, so I opened the doors, backed the Razr up so that the bumper was just inside, and stood in the bed of it to mount the front covers. The ones on the back of the coop are mounted from the inside, with long screws that protrude out through the wall, but nobody sees it back there anyway. For that part I sat on the poop board to work on it.

 

[Rvl Rookie]

Today was the first time I let them out into the run, but it was just for a couple hours before sunset. They ate bugs, scratched in the dirt, took dust baths, etc., and I enjoyed watching them. I'm looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.


They were hesitant at first.



This is my favorite one.



Taking a dust bath.



Finding things to eat during the dust bath. They do everything together.

 

[jeepguy982001]

looks great so far.

 

[Bullitt]

Thanks for the compliments.

I had my son carry our ladder out there (8' step ladder), and I climbed up there and did it. It was fairly precarious for me, and I couldn't hold my circular saw up high like that, so I started by drilling holes with a spade bit and then used the reciprocating saw for the cuts. They aren't very straight or professional looking, but I made it so that the vent covers hide it pretty well. I couldn't put the ladder on the uneven ground outside the coop, so I opened the doors, backed the Razr up so that the bumper was just inside, and stood in the bed of it to mount the front covers. The ones on the back of the coop are mounted from the inside, with long screws that protrude out through the wall, but nobody sees it back there anyway. For that part I sat on the poop board to work on it.

I am impressed that you were able to do that yourself. You must have done it right, because it looks great.

How many chickens do you have now?