My First Coop Build

[Rewster]

Very nice beginning on your coop. I love to reuse wood. I have a pile of 2X6's and 2X8's left over from a pool deck I tore down years ago. I have used them for everything including the new
coop I am currently building.
Keep us posted on your progress and when you get your chicks.

 

[AlHawk]

Yeah, the whole floor is for chickens minus water and feed until I get pvc installed. County ordinance only allows us 4 chickens per 1/2 acre and since I have 1 acre, I can only have 8 total and no roos. i REALLY want some Wellsummers and have "reserved" those last 2 spots for them unless something else comes along I have to have. I had bantams of some sort growing up and would like some of them too just for nostalgia. Finally, I wouldn't mind having a Jersey Giant or 2 either. So, those last 2 spots are filled plus. There's only three of us so I don't think we can eat all those eggs even during molt and broody and "not wanting to lay" periods.

 

[AlHawk]

So, not part of the actual coop but I pick up my chick Wednesday and I won't have the coop finished by then and I need a place to raise the 2 day old chicks til they get big enough to go to the main coop. I read Blooie's Heating Pad Mommy and used that as my inspiration for this. It started life as a dog kennel (and can still be used as one). I wrapped it in chicken wire to keep houdini's inside Since our temps don't fall below 70 at night yet, I don't think I'm going to need a heating pad. Just going to put a towel over the frame and some straw/hay.



Here's the babies that went in today! SO Exciting.

 

[Seatrout00]

Had to scan through all your posts but finally found your photos. I thought your coop was the same as the one we are going to build over here, and now I see that is not the case - curious about the look of what we're going to build - though you said it was much like the coop design I sent you.

Looks like you've got some work yet ahead of you with your structure - looks fun though, especially repurposing all that deck wood!

 

[AlHawk]

It's not that much really. I have the chicken door hatch built & primed, just not attached. The 3 pieces of siding are primed. They just need to be cut and screwed on. The only "work" remaining is installing the roosts, poop board and a window. Having trouble finding an old window to use so may have to make one and buy some glass/plexiglas.

 

[Seatrout00]

Hmm ... if you only need solid glass or plexiglass ... I sometimes see people putting glass and plexi out for the trash, but that is so random that I wouldn't count on it - still, if I see any, I'll snag it for you.

 

[Seatrout00]

I am very excited - tomorrow we start working on my coop. Got the lumber and fixin's and am ready to go! *jumps up and down*

 

[AlHawk]

Finally got to work more on the coop although it was partially in the persistent rain.



Boxed in the North Side and added wire mesh at the top for light and ventilation




Boxed in the South Side. That same wire mesh at the top 12" for light and ventilation.



Took off the West side old plywood to add a poop board slot and a another 12"x54" ventilation/light/window at the top. Poop board will be accessible through the siding for easy cleanout. (hinged hatch door not open)

LAST FEW PICTURES (before painting)


West side finished with all vents/wire mesh installed





Inside North Side - Laying boxes (tools are not good egg layers)




Inside South side - blue door is the hatch door to a non-existent run. (next project)



First few minutes in the new digs. They stuck together for about 2 minutes before they started running around. They seem to like the MUCH bigger space from the brooding cage. Pecking order posturing began almost immediately after this picture.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Are you going to be sliding the poop board out for cleaning?

 

[AlHawk]

Mahlzeit,

Yes, that was the plan. Going to make it out of 3/8" plywood and 1x2 runner boards. Use notched 2x2's as the guides. I will be able to slide it out and lay the end in my wheelbarrow and scrape directly in.