Looking for BASIC step by step instructions......

[LauraZone5]

Overwhelmed is a great word right now.

I have bought books, I have checked out books at the library, about chickens. I have learned a lot.
However, I cannot find a simple step by step instruction book on how to build a coop.

I am a visual gal and need pictures of step by step instructions.
Is there anything out there? Like "Instructions so easy an 8 year old can do it"??

Thanks!!
Laura

 

[dcs02d]

I'm getting close to done with instructions from my coop build.

Here you go -

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AbYrnXCOG7r6ZGhmaHY1ZHhfNDFnZ2NrbjVocw&hl=en

 

[CityChook]

When we were building our coop, we had NO idea what we were doing. Check out a book on shed building from the library - can't find one? Buy one at Home Depot. It will give you basic structural and framing concepts. And then I perused every single coop design I could on the design page and in the coop forum for their photographs. I was able to print enough pictures of how everyone else was framing/finishing that we were able to muddle through it. Not the most time efficient way to do it, but I needed to be able to *see* it and it worked. Seriously, if WE can do it, YOU can do it.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I already had a book on how to build sheds, with great diagrams and instructions. I highly recommend either a book or web site like that. It really explains the basics. If you are wanting to build a smaller type of coop, you may be able to just look at one of the coop designs on here, where the person took lots of step-by-step pictures during construction. A lot of people have created very nice coop building pages on here. There's a link to the coop designs at the top of the page.

 

[patandchickens]

Look at peoples' coop design pages. Many, many of them have EXTREMELY good step by step instructions and photos that you could follow.

Or, get a book out of the library on building sheds (or for a reach-in size coop, building doghouses or kids' playhouses) - there are a bunch of books like that with very step by step instructions and plans.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[herefordlovinglady]

i am looking for the same thing for a run.. i have the coop, but i want to add the run to it. AND i would like to give it try on my own. dh probably will assist some, a little, very little, so i would like the 8 year old version myself.

 

[Qi Chicken]

I need the run version too! Any ideas?!?!?

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

1. How many chickens are you going to have?
2. Are you planning on getting more as the days go on?
3. What breed are you looking at?
4. Do you want reach in or walk/stand up in?
5. How much room do you have to build this coop/run?
6. Are you doing it under the rader from your neighbors?
7. Do you want easy cleaning or deep litter?
8. Do you want the coop to be off the ground or on the ground?
9. how much do you want to spend on building it.
10. Have you checked Craigs List/E-Bay yet?


These are a few things you need to ask yourself when looking for one to build or buy.
As for the run that is easy to build all you need to do is build a box but first mark off how much of the area you will be using.
Now place 4x4,landscaping timbers or T posts in the ground below the predator mark about 3 to four feet in the ground,
(I went with T post for mine cheaper and easier then cementing the timbers in the ground).
Now bury wire fence or hardware cloth (The mesh metal) just as deep that way they can't dig under it (if building the tractor no need to build the run) now run 2x4's around it and over top of it remember to put two post about 36" apart (this is for the gate) and cover with hardware cloth there you go, you have a run.
Now you can put it around the coop or build it right on to it the choice is yours

 

[LauraZone5]

1. How many chickens are you going to have?
2. Are you planning on getting more as the days go on?
3. What breed are you looking at?
4. Do you want reach in or walk/stand up in?
5. How much room do you have to build this coop/run?
6. Are you doing it under the rader from your neighbors?
7. Do you want easy cleaning or deep litter?
8. Do you want the coop to be off the ground or on the ground?
9. how much do you want to spend on building it.
10. Have you checked Craigs List/E-Bay yet?

1. I'd like to start with 6-10. Layers at first, then I would like to have meat birds once I "get it"
2. Yes
3. A bird that can handle pretty harsh winter, something that is a good layer, not too skiddish.
4. Walk in stand up.
5. I have 5 acres!! HOORAY! I would like to build a coop with 4 doors. Fence the whole thing in, in quarters. When the birds scratch the grass bare, then open the other door to let them out where there is good grass.....giving the other grass time to grow back. It's not really 'grass' as much as it is field greens / weeds.
6. My property is zoned ag/res.
7. What is the difference, and I would like it to be 'clean'.
8. I don't know? I want to set myself up for success, and for the long haul.
9. 2-300.00, if I can. I do want it to look "nice", so as cool as a recycled bus would be, I don't want to freak the neighbors out or draw attention to my yard.
10. What would I look for on Craigs list or ebay? Kits?

I have coyotes, hawks, owls, raccoons, opossums, deer, foxes, dogs, cats, whistle pigs, oh and I have two Jack Russell Terriers. Needless to say, I will have to put up a fence AND cover that with another fence.

Look at peoples' coop design pages. Many, many of them have EXTREMELY good step by step instructions and photos that you could follow.

Where would I find these?? Are they in their signature line? Thanks!!

I totally appreciate all the advice. This board came highly recommended!!
Laura​

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Look for secondhand sheds (like the kind people have in their yards to store garden stuff and tools in). If you want to start with 6-10 and maybe more in future, plus meaties, I would suggest trying to get the biggest shed you can. Preferably not metal, as from your username I gather you are probably in an area that gets cold winters -- in a pinch you *could* use a metal shed, sorta kinda, with LOTS of extra ventilation and FULLY INSULATED INCLUDING CEILING, but it's better if you can avoid it.

Meaties are going to be best kept in a lean-to outdoors extension, or in a separate building altogether.

Where would I find these?? Are they in their signature line? Thanks!!

Look at the very tippy top of this webpage, you will find the "coop designs" page link in between "breeds" and "byc store". It will take you to the index page, navigate your way thru to look at particular coops. Of course that is a minority of peoples' coop pages, so it is worth browsing this section of the forum and reading threads that have titles like 'my coop is done' or 'pics of new coop being built'

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​