INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[SallyinIndiana]

Hey are there any handy people on here who could help me build a coop for the cheap??

where are you located again?

If you need only labor help, I would try CL or a local highschool. If you have a trade school that partners up with the high schools, you made be able to get a teenager training to be a carpenter.

If you need help with plans, there are lots of good coop planners on here. Post your general ideas and you will get lots of suggestions.

 

[LonelyPageTurne]

Im in indy. I think for the more basic stuff I'd be ok putting it together with my friend. Anything very complicated I'd need help lol. Plans though I need. Something big enough for 12+ birds, no run and an egg box that is easy to build and preferably with a floor about 36 inches off the ground. I could put in a couple of little windows using hardware fabric and make some little shutters for them for when it's super cold or rainy. If you were looking at the coop from the long side, I'd want the egg box on the right, double doors in the middle for cleaning (no pull out thingy I just rake all the stuff out into a tote, so I'd need the floor level with the opening) and the ramp on the left side, but sticking out toward where you are standing if you are standing looking at the long side if that makes sense. Sort of like a reverse 7.

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Im in indy. I think for the more basic stuff I'd be ok putting it together with my friend. Anything very complicated I'd need help lol. Plans though I need. Something big enough for 12+ birds, no run and an egg box that is easy to build and preferably with a floor about 36 inches off the ground. I could put in a couple of little windows using hardware fabric and make some little shutters for them for when it's super cold or rainy. If you were looking at the coop from the long side, I'd want the egg box on the right, double doors in the middle for cleaning (no pull out thingy I just rake all the stuff out into a tote, so I'd need the floor level with the opening) and the ramp on the left side, but sticking out toward where you are standing if you are standing looking at the long side if that makes sense. Sort of like a reverse 7.

@Leahs Mom has a coop that sounds like an almost perfect fit. Only her egg box is on the inside. I have to say I have both setups a coop with an exterier nest box and a coop with the nest box inside. I prefer the inside one, hands down. In bad weather it is no fun to stand outside looking for buried eggs. Also the inside nesting boxes tendto stay a bit warmer. Also our exterior nesting boxes allow a slight draft and are not raccoon proof, that would require an extra step to get the eggs and that coop is inside a decently secure run.

Now for the deep litter and floor being level with the opening. We have a 10 inch board that we use to make a miniature wall to block the lower part of the door opening. This board is held in place by 4 nails. 2 in the top corners and 2 about 2 inches down from the top nails. This way the litter stays in the coop. But the board is removed to shovel out the litter once every 4-6 months.

To get the floor off the ground basically you build a deck. now that can mean putting some posts into the ground and filling the holes with concrete or using some funny looking concrete blocks found at lowes along with the wooden posts. The hardest part will be keeping everything level. I recommend a post leveler tool. To build a deck floor, make the framing the same way you would for a wall but with more supports. Try to keep the spacing to squares that are 2' x2'

As for size, I tend to favor tight coops and large outside areas. It works great for spring - fall but can be a bit smelly in the winter. I would use a floor plan like Leah's Moms for only 12 chickens and a shed style coop.

To me it sounds like you are wanting a small verson of this:

If so I would put in larger venting on the short sides and in the back.

It sounds like for venting you are considering the style found in the second picture:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-just-right-coop

Next I recommend for any windows you have that instead of covering them with shutters in bad weather you have a clear covering to let in the light.

For a 36" drop to the ground I would use a step system instead of a ramp. the steps will take less space and in icy conditions your birds won't slide since they will be hopping if they leave the coop.

Here are directions for making exterior nesting boxes.
http://www.thegardencoop.com/blog/2011/03/10/external-nest-box-plans/


LASTLY here is a link to Leah's Mom's coop picture. She has combined the concept of exterior boxes (boxes you can get to without stepping in litter) and interior (boxes or boxes inside the coop out of the rain and snow).
https://www.backyardchickens.com/g/i/5096959/wall-shot-perspective-2-low-jpg/sort/display_order/

 

[SallyinIndiana]

Here is another link to a cute shed that would not be too difficult to make a coop. But I have to say it is a lot of space for just 12 chickens if the entire building is for the birds. Now if half is for storage, it could be a perfect size. I would check CL to see if there are any used sheds for sell.

http://www.costco.com/Wilmington-12'-x-8'-Wood-Storage-Shed.product.100033503.html

 

[Leahs Mom]

And here's what they look like from another angle.

Nest boxes just inside the door to left. This is a people area completely divided off from the chickens.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Oh...And my birds always slid when they had a ramp and I suspect that it caused a bumblefoot in one of them. I had some old logs that needed to be burned and made steps from them. They stride right up and down and no more foot injuries.

 

[raisinemright]

Here are my Three BPR I hatched on 3/15 can anyone sex them? I'm no good at that yet.

And a HUGE thanks to Brad for the LF blue Cochin chicks I just picked up a few mins ago! They are beautiful birds!

 

[ellymayRans]

Here are my Three BPR I hatched on 3/15 can anyone sex them? I'm no good at that yet.

And a HUGE thanks to Brad for the LF blue Cochin chicks I just picked up a few mins ago! They are beautiful birds!

I know BR but what's BPR?
BR have the sex-link spots on their heads.
Without knowing I think they all seem to have pretty big combs.

 

[raisinemright]

Barred Plymouth Rock. Does the large combs mean roo?

 

[Kiniska]

Hi All - I'm new to the forum and to raising chickens.  I'm in Southern IN near Louisville, KY.  So far, I have 4 RIRs, 3 NHRs and a bossy mutt hen.  I still want to get BRs and BOs and who knows what else I'll end up with before my hubby cuts me off.  

Hi Molly! Welcome, I am near Corydon, so not too far from you. I have Imported English Orps.