INCUBATING w/FRIENDS! w/Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs No problem!

[SilverHair]

Last turn at 6 pm and lock down today, going to be running the heat lamp for the small pen tonight this will let me know what I need for the solar setup, 1 step forward I hope

 

[SilverHair]

I put the hose in the pool to fill while I did chores.

uummmm, not say'n nuttin, I'm thinking Barbie moment

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

The instructions to my incubator are like a different language i had to check to see cause I had to change the temp because the last time I used it for turkeys.

 

[campingshaws]

Sally what are the dimensions on your whether pen? I need something like that. Trying to plan.

whats the size of a skid? you mean the run in little one or the skid pen I am using for them from the cornish X growouts?

Spoiler: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hinkel-haus-made-of-pallets-recycled-wood-pickets

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hinkel-haus-made-of-pallets-recycled-wood-pickets ​

we cut a pallet down to save on lumber this made an exact 4x8 base!​

(so we can use 1 sheet of thin plywood, and u can use real thin plywood because pallets are strong​

and have the extra support, but get the BEST pallets strength wise u can! ​

Drill holes and use the above carriage bolts to put it together, you can go shorter on the bolts, but we found these cheap!​

Of course you can go thicker but don't go smaller Pallets are HEAVY!​

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Below is the 4x8 1/4 ply, we have it on a hill so had to level it up better so its off the ground,​

Should have gotten another layer of cement block!​

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drill holes!! we used four bolts for a full pallet, on the floor sides and then 3/4 on the wall sides​

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Little Buddy had to tighten down with the ratchet!! poor thing, not having a good time is he??

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Square it up little man! Seriously square the corners as you bolt them together!​

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The front of the coop we turned the pallets the opposite direction to get the pitch / runoff for roof​

and that saved some more lumber on this coop as well.​

You can see how we cut this pallet down to accommodate a door! ​

windows and such can be cut out AFTER the siding is on!​

e a​

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We USED 2x3's this time to cut lumber costs! see how easy???​

just put a roof truss on the 48" mark in the center so u have area to attach plywood​

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Roof is 2 sheets of 1/2 plywood run opposite of the floor! use extra for nest boxes!​

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Add the tar paper BUT LEAVE ENOUGH ON EDGES TO COVER TRIM!!! ​

Add drip edge available in the roofing section of bldg supply stores​

ADD DRIP EDGE AFTER YOU ADD THE TRIM.... see several pics BELOW!!!​

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We sided with T1-11 BUT could have gone cheaper with wire and stucco. Total 5 sheets !​

PS the back side it runs long wise, to save lumber, cant see it anyway right??​

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STOP!!! AT THIS POINT ADD WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!! 1/4" or smaller wire! ​

NOTE: SEE THE WIRE​

(we have weasels, but keeps out rodents TOO!! and they eat MORE FEED than you will ever imagine!!! )​

and​

Door made out of left over picket fencing and rails! hubby made this one flush to my dismay!​

I like trim around for a finished look! But he said "you told me cheap" lol

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We used cheap knotty pin for trim along the roof line.​

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close up of wire​

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a few things I added.....
If you can add two vents on each side end as far peak as possible to prevent frostbite in the winter, more air is helpful but you need to have the vents under overhang. I learned my lesson this nasty winter, I was so worried about our white faced spanish huge combs because of their drafty addition to the original hinkel haus we built, as winter progressed the ccl in the hinkle haus had frostbite and the white faced didnt have a freakin spot! if you think you have enough ventilation, add more! I proved it this past winter!
see the addition below...
[COLOR=005CB1] [/COLOR]



A few tips/changes to the coops....
Always keep the door part of your coop out of your run so that you dont have to walk in the run at all, runs are gross plain and simple as you are aware and you will find yourself running for eggs more frequently if you can access the door easily and reach into the nest boxes all the while keeping your good shoes clean! If you have to manually lock them up at night/let them out in the morning try to keep that little chicken door at the side of the coop front so you can reach over the run fencing to easily open them up without walking in the run. Again, ease of access and clean access.

Also, a thin 8" to 10" high board across the bottom of the front door as well as the chickens little run door (smaller board width for this one) will help keep the shavings in the coop so that they dont get a mess in the run or outside the main door. What we do is simply cut the board long enough to fit about 6-8 inches extra in length wise and then we sandwich the board with a cement block just inside to hold it upright and we put the waterer on the cement block so they dont get shavings in it, also its easier to clean removable, we simply spread a tarp out on the ground in front of the door and tuck it under the coop a tad, take out the 8 to 10 inch board and cement block and use a hoe and large shovel to pull the old dirty shavings into the tarp and then I pull them to the compost pile.

They are going to love the coop! I had to keep mine locked in the coop for a few days before I let them out, or else I had to go round them up as they werent sure what was home yet! Being in the coop a few days and not let out, makes them get comfortable with the roosting, nesting and eating areas so they know to go there for all that stuff! Nothing like trying to round up chickens in the middle of the night just to lock them up!

Yes, the meaty pen. I want a few (or 5) breed pens and I like the looks of that one. I could divide it into sections.

 

[kwhites634]

Quote: It isn't for chickens, it's for equipment. I might put a brooder pen in one end for cold weather hatches if I need to down the road, but not now.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote:
Yes, the meaty pen. I want a few (or 5) breed pens and I like the looks of that one. I could divide it into sections.
the front is two skids, one full skid is hinged so half opens up, I would suggest making both front skids hinged to open out and away, and add the smaller door IN one of the skids, makes for really really Raaaaaahhhhhaaaaaaaaeeeaaaalllllyyyy simple cleaning!

 

[SilverHair]

It isn't for chickens, it's for equipment. I might put a brooder pen in one end for cold weather hatches if I need to down the road, but not now.

I hear ya, I need to do the same here, right now I have the well shed and I trap tent for the mowers,
just picked up a 5 gal bucket of roof sealer for the shed may put that on in the AM,

 

[campingshaws]

Sally what are the dimensions on your whether pen? I need something like that. Trying to plan.

whats the size of a skid? you mean the run in little one or the skid pen I am using for them from the cornish X growouts?

Yes, the meaty pen. I want a few (or 5) breed pens and I like the looks of that one. I could divide it into sections.

the front is two skids, one full skid is hinged so half opens up, I would suggest making both front skids hinged to open out and away, and add the smaller door IN one of the skids, makes for really really Raaaaaahhhhhaaaaaaaaeeeaaaalllllyyyy simple cleaning!

So it's not framed with anything?

 

[kwhites634]

The instructions to my incubator are like a different language i had to check to see cause I had to change the temp because the last time I used it for turkeys.

Turn it over; the English is on the other side. You're looking at French, or Spanish, or Portuguise, or Swahili

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Last turn at 6 pm and lock down today, going to be running the heat lamp for the small pen tonight this will let me know what I need for the solar setup, 1 step forward I hope

The instructions to my incubator are like a different language i had to check to see cause I had to change the temp because the last time I used it for turkeys.

glad your figuring it out