Large, Open-Air Coop in Central NC

[RoyalChick]

Not quite finished -- it needs pop doors and a means of separating out the built-in brooder/maternity ward area -- but it's ready to add chickens tonight.


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Looking good! What is that white strip around the bottom. Looks like it is to keep the litter contained maybe. What is it made from? Apologies if I missed that in an earlier post - it only just atruck me now.

 

[RoyalChick]

I have found a flaw in my design.

I didn't think of putting a cleanout hatch on the uphill side -- thinking about how the bedding would surely migrate downhill.

Of course that means that I have to dump the cart in the side door and fork the new bedding into position uphill.

Oh that is frustrating It might be worth adding one. My coop is on a hill and I use leaves as bedding. It is like a production line - I tip in leaves at the top of the hill and the chickens produce nice ground up fertilizer at the bottom.
It saves a lot of effort to have the hill and the chickens do the work! Mind you, I am not big on clean-out I just keep adding.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Looking good! What is that white strip around the bottom. Looks like it is to keep the litter contained maybe. What is it made from? Apologies if I missed that in an earlier post - it only just atruck me now.

It's to protect the wood from the deep litter and the moisture in it, as it composts down.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...p-in-central-nc.1443812/page-21#post-24888025

 

[3KillerBs]

Add one?

Maybe in time. It would have been relatively easy to do as we built but would be rather awkward to retrofit.

What is that white strip around the bottom. Looks like it is to keep the litter contained maybe. What is it made from?

It's to protect the wood from the deep litter and the moisture in it, as it composts down.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...p-in-central-nc.1443812/page-21#post-24888025

Thank you for finding the post. I'm short time this evening so that made it easier for me.

 

[RoyalChick]

It's to protect the wood from the deep litter and the moisture in it, as it composts down.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...p-in-central-nc.1443812/page-21#post-24888025

Thank you! Very clever.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thank you! Very clever.

In a less hot and humid climate it would be completely unnecessary.

 

[aart]

Maybe in time. It would have been relatively easy to do as we built but would be rather awkward to retrofit.

Pretty sure your hubs has the skills.

 

[3KillerBs]

Pretty sure your hubs has the skills.

Yes. But it would be awkward and he has moved on to the next project.

I'll live with it for a while before thinking about modifications.

 

[aart]

I'll live with it for a while before thinking about modifications.

Usually a good idea!

 

[thehomesteadwitch]

Hey there! I live in Southeastern NC and have been looking to build a good, solid coop for my future flock! Your post has been on my mind since I saw it back when you first posted the beginning of the year. I'm so excited to see how it's all come together!!

Would you be against it if my husband and I designed a coop using some ideas from yours? It gets so darn hot and humid in this state (especially down here by the beach!) so an open air coop is the best, I think. I'd love to have something similar to what you've got!