My coop is going to end up in a divorce!

[skya328]

Quote:
I love your coop! It looks great. So does your GH. We have 3! Your pic also makes me miss the NW even more than I already do. I grew up in Portland and have lived in Texas for 4 years.

 

[TwilightMom]

I can understand the arguing. I never thought my husband and I would fight over the coop, but we did. I wanted style he wanted secure structure without a concern for how it looked. We compromised and I love my coop....my mom calls the coop the gorilla cage....it's that sturdy (made of galvinized 2x4s)!!!

 

[esthermgr]

All you folks whose other halves actually want to help you with the coop, I'm so jealous, even if it takes longer or ends up heavier or looks different than you imagined. My deal with the hubby is I can have chickens if he never has to do anything for them. Ever. So I built the coop myself with scrap wood, I hatch, I brood, I feed, I water, I protect, I load the feed bags, etc., etc., etc. I'm proud of having done it "all by myself" but it's lonely too, and it's hard work.

So give those guys a big smoochie kiss

and tell em thanks for being willing to share your love of chickens and for not being embarrassed to have chickens taking over the place.

 

[colowyo0809]

Quote:
You are so right! My partner went from not talking about them to talking about them, from not wanting anything to do with them to building the first brooder for valentines day, from not wanting me to name them to being upset because I chose some names without him! Having someone there to help, or even just offer encouragement, makes all the difference in the world. I am sorry your not getting that from your man

but if it's anything I think you are doing an awesome job handling it on your own!

Matthew Ryan

 

[booker81]

Quote:
This is us minus..ummmm....15 years?

DH started the coop. It's NOT what *I* want - it's big enough sqft wise but the hole for them to get it out is way small (4"x6"?), and right now with me on crutches and a leg immobilizer, I can't even get in to the thing.

HOWEVER! He built it, without me asking, without my help. It holds the chickens in (for now). It is sturdy (it's about half of an insulated shed). It's safe.

It has no nest boxes, no roost, and right now, just one ventilation thing.

It holds the chickens

At first, I was really upset because it wasn't what *I* wanted - and I couldn't do anything about it (again, crutches and immobilized leg really can restrict building activities). But, instead of reaming him, I walked (crutched?) away and let him do what he wanted. I have a useable coop. Because I can't get into it right now, he has now taken over the chicken care.

When he built it, he did use ideas I haven't thought of. He knows now (from talking with his friend), that it needs nest boxes and roosts. Now that he knows changes are to be made, but the chickens are out of the house, I think he will be more receptive to my ideas of what I would like done. We are out of that heat of the moment of "I'm going to go crazy with chickens in the house." I thanked him for doing what he's done so far, and have approached the changes with, "This is a great idea, so how about we use that and do this when we fix it up. I'm glad you thought of that!" He feels proud, and I'll be getting what I want too

When I got chickens, he didn't want anything to do with them. Now, he's turning into a chicken newbie, and asking his friends all about things. I've had chickens before us, grew up with them, and I know what *I* want, but this has turned into a team effort, and I have to remember to sit tight, be kind, and let him learn at his own pace. He's a smart dude, I'm patient, and 99% of the time, when we are at a conflict of ideas, time allows us to eventually meet at the same point - sometimes he has to wait for me to catch up, and in this case I'm waiting for him to catch up. It's all good

 

[happychickengirls]

I love the Tea house idea. I too tried to recycle some of my antique pieces I had lying around. I did get to use a couple of things and
I love em! Check it out- https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/ https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/

 

[BrownEggFan]

I'm a contractor / carpenter and recently built my first chicken coop for our 6 hens and 1 rooster. I have a grand total of $45 invested (chicken wire, spring hinges, strap hinges and 3 latches). Everything else was scrounged or recycled. There is a time and a place for recycling and you have to make sure the materials are still sound, but there is no reason for everything in a coop to be brand new! Sure, it may not be the prettiest coop I've ever seen, but the girls are comfortable and my wife is very happy that I didn't sink hundreds of dollars into it.

 

[FluffyColor]

Quote:
Are we married to the same man?

x2

Hey! How did my mom get on here> LOL

 

[nuttyredhead]

I totally understand! All i wanted was a chicken coop and run. That has turned into a 16 X 24 coop/shed!!! The good news is that the coops will be bigger than i originally thought! And the driving force is that the chickens will be in the bathroom until it is built !!!!

 

[gaillardia]

After I came home with 6, 3 day old chicks and announced that we now needed a hen house, my husband has instituted a 1 year rule. All animal purchases must be planned 1 year in advance, so that the proper housing may be built in a relaxed fashion.