jumping in feet first...our first coop(s)

[thegoogers]

Well my wife and I have been talking about getting some layers for a while. We finally decided to go for it...and thanks to BYC we have been successful so far. I have less than great DIY skills but am a pretty good planner so I think it came off pretty well. We started with a 4'x8' coop design got it built and then got some great 6 week old chickens! One BR cockerel and three pullets and 2 beautiful Welsummer pullets. After getting them home and in the coop I found a thread a few pages back for 3, 20 week old Welsummers! One gorgeous roo and 2 hens. So we quickly built another coop for the little ones and got the older Welsummers!! Man talk about jumping in over our heads!!!

Well enough talk on with the pics...Please excuse the pics. We still have some trim to get on the main coop. We are going to add 1x4's around the hen house painted white to cover the edges. And I still have a little work to do on the roof.

one of my "helpers" ready to go

starting to come together

my other "helper"

now it's starting to look like a coop

Residents!!!!

the kids are in LOVE!!!

 

[spook]

cuties, the whole bunch of you! oh, nice coop!

 

[thegoogers]

Now since we had to have those 20 week old Welsummers we had to make a new coop. Sorry but no build pics...we were in too much of a hurry. just a simple A-frame that is 4'x8' with a hens house mounted on the end. The hen house is 24" x 36". I will get some pics of the inside but it's pretty simple just a couple roost post and that's all. I will add an external nesting box on the side if they are still in there when that time comes.

The little ones are very happy in the new coop. They even put themselves to bed without any promting in their new home!!

Now the new residents in the bigger coop.

First the hens, Thelma & Louise

and Rusty the Roo - The photo just doesn't do him justice - He is beautiful!!!!

He has a GREAT CROW!!! We heard it all day!! Just settling in I guess. I am sure more pics to follow!

Thanks for looking and thanks to everyone here at BYC for all the great info!!

 

[vfem]

My Goodness! You've been busy busy busy.

I think you did a fab job on both, you have some lucky ladies.

 

[chickenma]

Great fun family project. You all did a awesome job

 

[cmom]

Great job!!! Looks like the kids are enjoying it too.

 

[thegoogers]

Thank you so much the kind words.

I noticed this morning I never showed the finished "big" coop. oops!!


here is the multi-level roost and dropping pan filled with shavings below

Top shelf over the roost - went ahead and put a couple perches up there incase someone wanted to roost up high

And the finished (for the most part! still need some more paint and trim work) coop -

Now the feeder and water container are hanging from under the "hen house", Also there are 3 nesting boxes on the lower shelf of the gray cabinet on the rt side. The top shelf of the cabinet is storage right now. We hope the hens will settle in a give us a few eggs. They are 21 weeks old so we hope they will lay soon, maybe after they settle in.

Thanks again for looking and for the kind words

Patrick

 

[sillybirds]

Good work Patrick! The pic of the big gloves on the little hands is cute.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Hi Guys! Looks like you have been adding to the family LOL!!! I told you it's addicting! The babies look real happy in their beautiful new home. Patrick, you did such a super job on those coops. I am impressed, buddy

Keep the pics coming, Natasha. Your new roo is gorgeous by the way!

 

[thegoogers]

Thanks!!!!


How did you guess it was me behind the camera HA HA I won't let anyone else get it

Gorgeous aren't they???

Everyone is so happy and the chicken put themselves to bed so nicely!!! LOVE IT!

~Natasha