It is finally finished. My first coop. (hopefully my last)

[Slaphappy]

@Slaphappy

I noted in one of your pictures that there is a 2x4 on the edge of your roosting shelf - that seems to be hinged. Are those hinges, and if so what is their purpose?

Thanks,
TWG

I saw this on someones poop board. It was explained that they used it to keep the pdz/sand in. But then you can flip it down to clean/scrape stuff off.

 

[Ventucky57]

So awesome!! Beautiful work!

 

[HopeSprings]

I found old windows, too. Only I paid $3 each. And hinging at the top works great for keeping the rain out. My floor level window is going to be very helpful when it's time to clean out the coop!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

There is so much wrong about my hen house..... there is a large-ish window right at roost height that the hens don't like to sleep in front of. And although it does close from the outside, it's hinged at the bottom. It's hard for me to close due its weight and height, especially in wind and rain (I'm old, weak and short, but I manage, but it's always like something on America's Funniest, lol!). It's also the only real ventilation in the building besides the door, but the window faces west and the door north. It gets stifling in there in the summer and wet and bitter in winter.

I've got my eye on a nice pre-owned shed, maybe 12x18 or 18x24 I can have modified to better specs. Am paying close attention to y'all's recommendations and modifications, and doing some pondering and figuring. Chicken math! I'll keep the original for a quarantine tank or a brooder, maybe.

 

[Charlenesmom]

Well I did it. It took me 8 weeks. Lots of blood, sweat, and cash. The chooks are now 8 weeks as well and huge!

I planned this build on two different things. My first was coop in the woods. She did a great job on their coop and was my inspiration. I thank them for posting their story. I also purchased a shed plan and used some things from that as well.

Here it is. Thanks.

Very nice!

 

[Maggie13]

Well done!
You have built a beautiful home for your hens.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

That is sooo awesome. I wish I would of went big from the start!!! I'm jealous .

 

[Love-my-girls]

Wow and....wow!

 

[MommaRoo]

This is awesome work!
You have shown me how to modify the existing window on my coop. It was converted from a largish well house with a fixed window. It has an opening up in the ceiling for access to the "Attic" space and I prop it open in summer. However, converting that fixed window would provide excellent ventilation for the girls when it gets so hot here.
My project for this week and thank you for sharing!

 

[JoCoKS]

It is nice to know other guys go wild building their coops. I am retired professional architect and mine is nothing compared to this master piece. My girls only needed the coop to sleep in and lay eggs because they have a yard to roam and when I open the gate they have a very large backyard to go free ranging. Great job and thanks for sharing.