Just another FNG building a chicken coop

[bjmoose]

PS: Here's a link that shows a pedestrian bridge I built a couple years ago up in Tahoe. (I hope linking to other sites is allowed - it's just an imgur photo album)

https://imgur.com/a/uKy8T

 

[aart]

Well, you got the skills.
Wouldn't be that hard to make it in sections, roof would be the trickiest.
I just broke down my (30x72x36) brooder palace for storage.

 

[Stayc]

Hello moose and welcome to BYC! What a great gift. You definitely have the talent! Best of luck with your project.

 

[Flashpoint]

I don't believe any cats should be allowed around chickens, same with dogs. Sooner or later they give in to their dark side.

I am sure some do partake of the "dark side" as do most animals - either for food or sport. We also see the dark side in humans everyday.

That said, I have had chickens most of my life along with almost all other farm animals and poultry. There has always been cats and dogs, including a pet armadillo, skunk, and groundhog.

The only domestic loss we suffered was via a dog - one of my own and another that belonged to someone else.

Mine didn't get to stay a farm dog.

I can't say what happened to the neighbor's dog. It came back twice, but never after that.

However, over the span of 60 years, I have never lost a chick or duckling to a cat - although I had a hawk take a duckling right in front of me. The birds here and especially the ducks and turkeys - have gone after neighbor cats when they have passed through. They don't come by often.

I have one Australorp hen who goes after both the ducks and turkeys, so I have no problem thinking she could handle a cat if she thought it was necessary.

It boils down to individual choices, I guess and - as you said - the personality of any domestic animal (or human).

 

[Book Em Danno25]

Welcome to BYC and Happy Holidays!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. When it comes to coops, bigger is better. The '4r sq ft/bird' is an absolute minimum which generally results in behavioral problems.

 

[Hope Hughes]

Hello
Welcome to BYC!!
So glad to have you here!!
Thanks for sharing your story!!
There are many people on here that are ready to help in anyway they can!
The learning center also has alot of great information on it as well!
Enjoy!​

 

[lazy gardener]

Hey Moose! Your wife is going to love it. My recommendation: Build a 4 x 8 shed style coop. Build the walls in sections that can be bolted together for instant (almost) break down for that retirement move. The roof will be the toughest part to deal with, but even if the floor and walls are "components", then adding a stick built roof shouldn't be that difficult. Keeping it 4 x 8 will minimize your waste on building materials.

Also, build that coop with the ability to provide electricity. That way you can brood your chicks in the coop.

An other option would be to build a cattle panel hoop coop. In your climate, a hoop coop would be quite functional, though it might not have the architectural appeal of a traditional structure. I started with a hoop coop, with a 4 x 8 loft in one section of it. My flock makes a bee line to that old coop when ever I let them out to free range. They love that thing!

 

[RodNTN]

Hello there! And It is wonderful to have you here with us, best wishes!

 

[TahoeChickens]

Hello bjmoose! I live in South Lake Tahoe (meyers area) and I am shooting to build a coop and start a small flock next spring. I will be curious as to your final decisions on a coop. For your future Tahoe coop - we've been having decent snow accumulation the past few winters so a sturdy roof that will shed the snow is important.