i'm designing a coop on paper to build in a few weeks. I'm looking for an A frame tractor style so i can move them to new grass every once in a while. I got some scrap wood and a roll of mesh (I'll have to get more I'm sure). i'm thinking of attaching the run to the coop, but not sure yet. similar to this http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Coops/The-Briar-Tractor-up-to-3-chickens-p819.aspx
although the coop will be bigger. I'm thinking this:
using a free cabinet for nest boxes, angle off the backs to mount level on the slanted plywood. plywood makes the A frame. run an old rake pole across for a roost post. doors behind the nesting boxes and food/water area for removal. door in front to let them into the run during the day. On the side without the nesting boxes, maybe cut a long window and cover with mesh for light and ventilation. I'll put a scrap piece of wood over that to protect from rain.
Frame of this will be boards that were split and given to me free. Framing will be 3 triangles (front back middle) joined by the long pieces on the bottom and one at the top.
I plan to buy only hinges and wheels from the hardware store. I have a miter 10" saw and a hand saw, no table. So i'm avoiding long cuts. The pieces i got are all long already and under 10" width.
Wheels will be mounted into the back bottom frame (which I'll make the biggest) with 2" or so of clearance for rolling. Under each triangle frame piece I'll nail a piece of wood to level it with the wheels in the back.
I'll line the boxes with pine shavings. I suppose i could use floormat or rug (i saw that somewhere and it looked interesting)
QUESTIONS:
does the floor need to be elevated off the grass? I figure the coop would be bottomless so they have grass to eat/poop on in the coop and out in the run.
I see a lot of coops with shavings on the floor. why? i thought that was only necessary for nesting boxes.
Does the run need to be big since the coop is over the grass?
facts: i have no chickens yet, but I'm planning to get two laying hens and 2 chicks to raise indoors and introduce later. So right now they'll be two nesting boxes, but I could add more. I'm in Seattle, so I'll cover all my plywood with painter's plastic sheeting to waterproof it. I don't have measurements yet (only the cabinet turned nesting box - 31.5 long x 18 deep x 23 high). I'll determine my total coop size after seeing that finished and seeing if I can score more free wood (planning on it this weekend)
So, will this work? Assuming I don't botch the plan and it collapses on my chickens! Any ideas to add would be very helpful as well.
I'll scan my crappy drawings and post when i get home
although the coop will be bigger. I'm thinking this:
using a free cabinet for nest boxes, angle off the backs to mount level on the slanted plywood. plywood makes the A frame. run an old rake pole across for a roost post. doors behind the nesting boxes and food/water area for removal. door in front to let them into the run during the day. On the side without the nesting boxes, maybe cut a long window and cover with mesh for light and ventilation. I'll put a scrap piece of wood over that to protect from rain.
Frame of this will be boards that were split and given to me free. Framing will be 3 triangles (front back middle) joined by the long pieces on the bottom and one at the top.
I plan to buy only hinges and wheels from the hardware store. I have a miter 10" saw and a hand saw, no table. So i'm avoiding long cuts. The pieces i got are all long already and under 10" width.
Wheels will be mounted into the back bottom frame (which I'll make the biggest) with 2" or so of clearance for rolling. Under each triangle frame piece I'll nail a piece of wood to level it with the wheels in the back.
I'll line the boxes with pine shavings. I suppose i could use floormat or rug (i saw that somewhere and it looked interesting)
QUESTIONS:
does the floor need to be elevated off the grass? I figure the coop would be bottomless so they have grass to eat/poop on in the coop and out in the run.
I see a lot of coops with shavings on the floor. why? i thought that was only necessary for nesting boxes.
Does the run need to be big since the coop is over the grass?
facts: i have no chickens yet, but I'm planning to get two laying hens and 2 chicks to raise indoors and introduce later. So right now they'll be two nesting boxes, but I could add more. I'm in Seattle, so I'll cover all my plywood with painter's plastic sheeting to waterproof it. I don't have measurements yet (only the cabinet turned nesting box - 31.5 long x 18 deep x 23 high). I'll determine my total coop size after seeing that finished and seeing if I can score more free wood (planning on it this weekend)
So, will this work? Assuming I don't botch the plan and it collapses on my chickens! Any ideas to add would be very helpful as well.
I'll scan my crappy drawings and post when i get home