In the pursuit of a coop!

[2wheelterry]

Here is the plan: build a combination chicken coop/pen and garden shed/greenhouse, with as many items that I can find and recycle for this project.

I have been brainstorming and thinking of what I already have so that I can keep an eye out for the rest of the items that I will need.

So far this is what I have gathered up.

2 rolls of insulation
3-4 pairs of old windows
old cabinet with 4 doors that measures about 12 x 48 inches to use a nesting box with exterior access
left-over rough cut lumber from a shed project
old chicken feeders and lights from my grandparents commercial chicken houses
vinyl remnants from my job @ little or no cost for the floor and poop board

So as you can see I am well on my way. Hopefully freecycle and craigslist will provide other items that I will need. I am also going to talk to my uncle who has a barn full of
materials our family salvaged 25+ years ago when we bought and old church and tore it down for supplies to build my grandparents home.

I am really looking forward to completing this project and getting my first chickens. I will post updates and pics as our project progresses. I really don't expect that we will get the ball rolling really good until we finish up a couple of other projects inside our house so it may be a few months before construction actually begins. Wish me luck!

 

[motoclown]

I know what you need, chicks~lol

 

[2wheelterry]

Quote:
Lol! Going with the idea of "build it, and they will come" and I can't wait!

 

[Chick Charm]

Just helping you brainstorm....This is one of the many ideas I have come up with. Of course you can expand the idea and use recycled goods also.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/65954_dsc_0251.jpg

 

[2wheelterry]

Great idea! My plans are on a much larger scale but I have gotten a lot of great ideas on this site.

 

[2wheelterry]

Well the planning just took a drastic turn...good & bad. The good side is now the coop will be on the end of my garden shed. At least now the coop will be close to the house which solves my problems of no power and water if we had put it off at the edge of the woods(DH's idea). This change will also greatly reduce the materials needed to complete the project.

The bad is that unless I can convince him to just cover the tractor that currently occupies the north lean to, with a tarp then I won't be getting chicks anytime soon. I guess I will just have to use that time productively to continue planning my flock and extending my knowledge on how to care for them.

I will try and get some pics today of the little shed and start documenting my progress.

 

[macadam8157]

Quote:

 

[NanaLantana]

Well, you could wait till he goes to work and build another lean-to for his tractor!

It's not really that hard - I've built lots of stuff, and a lean-to is definitely a simple construction. Then you can have the current lean-to for your coop. Basically, get busy, girl! If you build it, they will come - or if you get them to come first, you've GOT to build it!

 

[chickybokbok]

Sounds like you have a good start on materials. I think I agree with the person thatsaid to go a head and get your chicks. Thats what we did and we ended up getting everything else done in a hurry. Nice thing is that if you are somewhere warm you canput up something temporary and work on the final project.
Can't wait to see pics!

 

[2wheelterry]

I would love to get chicks now but we will be going on our honeymoon for 2 weeks in June and have no one that could care for them for that length of time. We are pushing it for mom to keep the "Granddogs".

On top of that, I am still in the process of moving my stuff, getting my house ready to sell, and finishing up my current job. I don't want to rush too much. He is already feeling a bit overwhelmed, lol! I do know that when he makes his mind up to do something he gets it done and to be completely honest I would rather he get started on the new bathroom in the house first. The coop area is bigger than what we have now.