Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[riss]

You'll need something that will protect them well all winter....plenty of space with good roof overhangs for soffit ventilation in coop.....maybe even a roof on the run.

Should I have a roof overhang on all sides of the coop? If I did how would I do that

 

[riss]

Should I have a roof overhang on all sides of the coop? If I did how would I do that

Building wise

 

[1muttsfan]

I would recommend overhangs on each side with a window or door opening, to reduce moisture blowing in. You could instead build a little porch roof over those openings, like Aart did with the pop door. Overhangs also help reduce moisture around the base of the coop, and can give the birds somewhere to stand when it is rainy.

Have you spent some time in the Coops threads?

 

[riss]

I would recommend overhangs on each side with a window or door opening, to reduce moisture blowing in. You could instead build a little porch roof over those openings, like Aart did with the pop door. Overhangs also help reduce moisture around the base of the coop, and can give the birds somewhere to stand when it is rainy.

Have you spent some time in the Coops threads?

No not yet. We had a pretty generic coop when I was younger which is now the garden shed if that tells you how basic it was

 

[1muttsfan]

Well you will really have fun there. Some of the coops are very basic, some elaborate; some functional, others not so much. But you can see what other folks did, and usually they happily contribute the measurements and construction tips. Gives you a chance to test drive different plans in your head.

 

[riss]

Well you will really have fun there. Some of the coops are very basic, some elaborate; some functional, others not so much. But you can see what other folks did, and usually they happily contribute the measurements and construction tips. Gives you a chance to test drive different plans in your head.

I will check it out then

 

[aart]

which is now the garden shed if that tells you how basic it was

Garden shed can work..any chance of using that?
Was is it something you built or bought.....got pics, just for reference??

Should I have a roof overhang on all sides of the coop? If I did how would I do that

Might want to look at shed builds for examples of how to build basic small building.

 

[Sally PB]

If I were going to build a coop, this is what I'd do.

1. How many birds? Multiply that by at least 4 sf. No, 6. Nope! 8 sf, because I probably will get more. In other words, don't scrimp on space.

2. Do I have a building that would meet that criteria, even if it needs some repair? If so, is it in a good spot?

3. If no on #2, what is my absolute budget? Take 10% off that because it's bound to run over, and I like wiggle room. Don't forget to include the run when thinking about cost.

4. If I'm going to build something, is there something I can add on to, or do I have to start from scratch?

5. Think about where the coop will be. Consider the run, how far from the house, drainage, trees (shade or lack of), proximity to fences and neighbors.

6. Read everything I can find on BYC about coops. There are some VERY inventive coops built by BYCers. Not many people can drop $3000 on the coop of their dreams, and with lumber costs INSANE right now, people have found ways to build with recycled and "found" materials.

 

[riss]

Garden shed can work..any chance of using that?
Was is it something you built or bought.....got pics, just for reference??


Might want to look at shed builds for examples of how to build basic small building.

It's pretty packed with garden stuff and I'll be having 10 chickens so I don't know if that'll keep them cramped. I mean it's pretty tiny. My dad built it YEARS ago. I just painted it last year from red to blue

 

[chickflick]

Sally, I hope they find out what's wrong with you fur baby and that the vet can help. It's so hard with our babies when they are not feeling well. One of my dogs is in heart failure, but she's doing great on her meds.