My CHEAP Coop and Hutch!!!**pics**

[Punk-Rock_Chicken]

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Thanks, I didn't think about that(obviously)... I do have quite a bit of left over and scrape wood, I am gonna do that!

 

[Punk-Rock_Chicken]

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I do actually...I did draw that one out before I built it. The coop was designed as we built. LOL

 

[sandyj]

You know, I bet you could get roofing for free if you look around. Alot of people have extra when roofing their houses and would like to get rid of it. Too bad you don't live closer. We have more than enough extra shingles to roof that coop. Looks great!

You did a good job!!!

sandyj

 

[chickens3]

nice coop dude nice job on it.

 

[cyanne]

Or, throw down some roofing materials on top...asphalt shingles are cheap and easy.

My only question is how you are going to keep predators out? The only wire I see is chicken wire, which, unfortunately, is very easy to get through for just about any predator. Racoons are notorious for reaching their filthy little paws through the 1" holes and pulling chickens out piece by piece and they can bite through the wire as well.

Dogs can definitely chew through it also...my doofy LGD actually seems to ENJOY chewing on the chicken wire that we wrap around the trees to protect them from the goats in the pasture. He grabs hold and rips it right off the tree trunk so the goats can chew on the bark.

If money is an issue, you can put a layer of 4 by 3 welded wire over the chicken wire...has the added strength combine with the reasonably small holes to keep the chickens from sticking their heads out to get bitten off. Cheaper than doing the whole thing in hardware cloth!

 

[Punk-Rock_Chicken]

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I have thought about this...We are in the process of putting up a privacy fence right now, I'm about half way done. So that will keep dogs and cats away..Oh yeah...and my Pitbull that will be sitting on this side of the fence! LOL He is no threat to the chickens, but he has no love for other dogs or racoons. He has been around them since they were chicks. He sits with me when we let them out to free range. I have a picture (somewhere on my computer) that I will dig up and post on here, of him sleeping in the yard with 2 of the chickens.but I did bury about 12" of the 1" chicken wire all the way around the run. But I didn't know that raccoons would chew threw it. I would hope that any racket created by a coon trying to get in would alert the dog. But I am going to add the welded wire now that I know that.

 

[cyanne]

Yeah, those raccoons can be nasty, sneaky things!

I have the 4 by 2 welded wire for my run, and I am going to put up a 2ft high layer of hardware cloth all the way around to keep my silly chickens from sticking their parts out to be chewed off. It would look much nicer if it was all hardware cloth, but since my run is 20ft by 30ft by 6ft high it would be way too expensive.

 

[AkTomboy]

I think it looks great! And its even better it was only 150!!! I think I need to take some tips from you to get mine to be cheaper when I build them lol

 

[jamieneenah]

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Yeah, I realized that after we watered the lawn, and it did start to bow alittle. We were using some old paint(matched our house) that was left in our garage after our house was built but we ran out. I was planning some tar paper and maybe put a pitch in it?

A pitched roof would likely be best, have to be a little careful with how it runs off since it is right up to your house. If you wanted to leave it flat you could get a rubber membrane to go over it, but they are a bit costly. Depending on how you design it, you may need to use some flashing up against the house to protect your siding. Remember normal shingles are not for a flat roof and will end up leaking. I had just mentioned the 2x4 and paint solution because it would end up making it last for a while for say $30, A pitched roof with shingles or metal panels will last for decades, but the cost is much higher.
If you use 2x4's to help hold the plywood flat, you can use construction adhesive, like PL400 to poly adhesive to glue the 2x4 to the plywood, that will help the plywood keep it's shape longer.

Jamie

 

[ozzie]

A pitched roof would likely be best, have to be a little careful with how it runs off since it is right up to your house.

Just make sure you pitch it AWAY from the house - especially since you have that window up the back of it. You wouldn't want a deluge coming into the house at the next downpour.

ozzie​