My coop build

[Jarhead]

I think it's just being young and filled full of pride. They drill it into you in boot camp

Once a Marine is a little older a bit of the fight response wears off.

 

[Ricks Chicks]

Semper Fi we would find any excuse to fight any thing. navy ,army , air force, the bartender, the guy at the bar , the guy down the street. lol

 

[Ricks Chicks]

and like jarhead said. it wears off over time with age comes wisdom and you find that fighting hurts in the morning.

 

[Jarhead]

I didn't hurt when I woke up usually! Too much booze the night before, so I was still a little tipsy

 

[Dustoff79]

Scot,

I think your Coop is outstanding But, (gotta do this - as a ret. grunt to jarhead)

. My only recommendation is that I think you should have extended the roof beyond the ends, primarily over the front doors. to allow a little more protection from the elements (rain). I think you will find that collecting the eggs if raining will be hard as the roof drains right on top of the nesting box lids and entering the coop could also be an issue. Just an ol grunt's opinion

. Of course, if you decide to build a new coop, I would be more than happy to take this one off your hands, you know as a kindness

on another note, I was with some old retired buddies this past weekend relaxing and rehashing old warstories. This morning I was catching up on this board and suddenly started laughing as I read your thread and other posts (lots with your comments). Not because of the information just the situation as I am in the same one. Never in my youthful thoughts did I conceive that one day I would be avidly talking about chickens, organic gardening, free-ranging, neat coop ideas.... etc..

Not sure where in my 27 yrs AD this came from, but you gotta admit it just does not seem to fit the common sterotype.

Hooahh,
Dustoff 79

 

[Jarhead]

Dustoff you are right. I was already planning on doing the roof over again in another material. When I did that I was going to extend it a few inches over the ends. As far as the nest box roof, no issues there. We got 12"+ of rain in the last 3 days from Gustav's remnants. Not 1 drop or rain got in the coop from the nest boxes (or anywhere else for that matter). It was dry as a bone in there. I used a vinyl strip where the nest box hinge opening is and caulked it in place, so it is a flexible seal. If we even do decide to get rid of this coop, very very doubtful I think, you are first in line!

You are also right about back in the day. The times I think back to - you know the ones - the calming sounds of enemy ordnance whizzing by, or those nights I spent in strange places drinking with buddies and spending nights with umm... interesting female companions

Never once was I thinking of organic gardening, chickens, or poop to go on my grass so it looks pretty. No more late nights drinking (well maybe occasionally), no more loose women, no more getting shot at (even though I still shoot at furry woodland creatures). I am now one of the old guys I said I would never be.

I like myself like this though, so I am content and happy to tell my old stories and watch the younger guys look at me in awe.

 

[Jarhead]

Update! Added some accessories to the coop today. Flower boxes, decorative paint design, stained and sealed the siding as well, and finished painting. Here are some pics.

 

[mrsengeseth]

Oh...my...gosh!! That is a gorgeous coop!!!

 

[ava]

:cdCan I live in your coop? it looks better than my house!

I won't even dream of showing you guys my pitiful little 17 inch by 27 inch nest box after I've seen what a real chicken coop should look like- but in all fairness I live in New York City and have a securely fenced in yard. I did raise the end enough to put in roosting broomstick.( and left enough overhang for a rain shelter- yay!)

Unfortunately my small silky hen prefers to roost on a trellis by the corner of the fence, maybe because its warmer in the morning ( its the easternmost corner and gets the first rays of sun) . I'm worried though what will happen as the nights get colder-and the cats get more aggressive( its mating season) Is there a technique I can use to lure her in? I though about closing the door but I'm afraid she'll hate it and never come back. Thanks!

 

[Ricks Chicks]

Very nice!! where are the chickens?