Large, Open-Air Coop in Central NC

[3KillerBs]

Today's photos:

The downhill door needs some work. DH had a time getting it to hang straight last week and now needs to add a shim strip because it doesn't close correctly.

I put the hardware on, but it still needs the shim-on-a-screw to keep it closed until that issue is fixed.

After I got the hardware onto the side door, DH pointed out the fact that that door was warped so instead of just putting two latches on at convenient points for extra security, I had to put one at the top of where I could reach and one much lower down to secure it against the possibility that a racoon could grab the edge and pry.

The board at the bottom of the clerestory is new -- needed to secure the roof flashing piece after DH emailed the roofing manufacturer. They don't normally make roofing for this kind of application so the flashing was intended to attach to a vertical wall.

All the wire is on except for the narrow strips beside the doors, the triangles under the roof slopes, and the clerestory.

We *could* have run this wire (which will be under the dog-eared fence boards that will make up the solid wall), clear across the 16 feet of back wall in one piece but it would have been awful to handle in a long piece like that. So two 8'x4' pieces and two 8'x2' pieces.

It doesn't have to look pretty, it's going to be under wood anyway.

It was a bit shy of 90F today but the clerestory airflow and the shade made it possible to keep working past noon.

 

[3KillerBs]

Diagonal Bracing:

And nestboxes:

He replaced the heavy, rough boards with better aligned boards and used some reclaimed oak shelving for the dividers. The boxes are nice and roomy at about 14" square.

The angled boards are to support the anti-roosting board, which wasn't installed because it was raining too hard.

 

[Sally PB]

I was just thinking that a time lapse film of your coop being built would be cool to watch...

This really is a chicken palace!

 

[3KillerBs]

I was just thinking that a time lapse film of your coop being built would be cool to watch...

This really is a chicken palace!

A friend has threatened to make me a sign that says "Neuchickenstein".

 

[3KillerBs]

DH did a bit more on the nestboxes the other evening.

Big boxes, high enough up to allow for a foot of bedding to build up underneath. I'll make a ramp up to the landing perch so the Brahma can go up.

He's a little concerned about the gap at the back of the dividers, but I shouldn't think that would cause a problem.

The back will be a drop-down door, one on each side and he's made a nice lip front and back to keep the nest material inside.

 

[Brooks_]

A friend has threatened to make me a sign that says "Neuchickenstein".

Was that a threat or promise?

 

[3KillerBs]

Was that a threat or promise?

I hope it's a promise but have no real expectation of it occurring.

 

[Brooks_]

I hope it's a promise but have no real expectation of it occurring.

Is this a good enough excuse for me to buy a router?

 

[3KillerBs]

DH and I discussed tasks this evening.

I'm supposed to use the electric metal shears to cut the unwanted flange off the flashing so he can install it on the roof and to, with the assistance of our 15yo, at least cut and, if possible, install as much additional hardware cloth as feasible.

I also need to select and cut the saplings for the roosts and he'll build them.

This assumes that it's not raining tomorrow. That's about 50-50. I can cut hardware cloth inside the coop under the shelter but might or might not be able to hand the flashing in there depending on how I can lay it out on supporting boards.

 

[rosemarythyme]

He's a little concerned about the gap at the back of the dividers, but I shouldn't think that would cause a problem.

Gaps should be fine, just... call it nest box ventilation? My nest boxes (internal) only have half height backs so there's a "window" to the studs behind, I ran out of plywood but the chickens don't care.