- Apr 16, 2011
- 66
- 1
- 41
For the most part it is done, i still have to add a few things here and there (coop door, roost and poop board inside, auto feeder, paint, etc.
which means i am far from done. I also have to attach the run to the coop and possibly add a roof to the run but i have two large pecan trees that provide shade all day so that is a maybe. The run is 4x8 with an additional 3x4 under the coop. Coop itself is 4x3x3.5 - for four chicks 1 black sex link and 3 gold.
I initially thought i was going to do a hoop design and then ultimately decided to use a square frame. I used conduit for the run to cut on weight. I briefly attempted to make the run door a conduit frame but it was just too flimsy. The coop is raised about a foot and half and made from very thin plywood 5/16 to also cut down on weight. I used the 2x4 wielded wire to cover the entire run including the bottom and then used a 2ft roll of hardware cloth around the base. Overall i am fairly happy, it is light enough to maneuver and should be easier once the coop and run are attached. I believe i spent just over $200 including chicks. I was able to reuse the wielded wire from an old dog pen and had some scrap 2x4 but most of the materials had to be bought in my 5 or 6 trips to the Depot.
I built their roost boxes from cedar fence planks. Just the frame is cedar, the bottom is plywood and the filling is pine shavings. I did this before i read about all the no no's on using cedar but i am hoping that it is ok cause hardly any of the cedar is exposed and in my opinion the pine shavings were more pungent than the cedar. what say you? Please offer up suggestions and critiques as i am a newbie.
I initially thought i was going to do a hoop design and then ultimately decided to use a square frame. I used conduit for the run to cut on weight. I briefly attempted to make the run door a conduit frame but it was just too flimsy. The coop is raised about a foot and half and made from very thin plywood 5/16 to also cut down on weight. I used the 2x4 wielded wire to cover the entire run including the bottom and then used a 2ft roll of hardware cloth around the base. Overall i am fairly happy, it is light enough to maneuver and should be easier once the coop and run are attached. I believe i spent just over $200 including chicks. I was able to reuse the wielded wire from an old dog pen and had some scrap 2x4 but most of the materials had to be bought in my 5 or 6 trips to the Depot.
I built their roost boxes from cedar fence planks. Just the frame is cedar, the bottom is plywood and the filling is pine shavings. I did this before i read about all the no no's on using cedar but i am hoping that it is ok cause hardly any of the cedar is exposed and in my opinion the pine shavings were more pungent than the cedar. what say you? Please offer up suggestions and critiques as i am a newbie.
