My First Coop Build

[LilyBird]

Looks good! Can't wait to see the girls you got!

 

[TerryPy]

Gorgeous coop and run!

 

[conklinator]

With the exception of some very minor touch up details, it's FINALLY done!

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[PapaChaz]

Very nicely done! it looks great, really love the cedar shingles

 

[conklinator]

I put this limb in the run that I cut off my cherry tree... They love to crawl under it, climb on it, and try to knock each other off of it.

 

[conklinator]

Update: Finally ran some underground electric to the coop, and put some lights in to add a few hours to the day. I've got it hooked to a timer, so the lights come on at 5:00am, and turn off shortly after sunrise.

 

[Blooie]

That looks pretty good! Um, just wondering if that wire is rated for underground burial and if it's in some kind of conduit when it makes the turn up into the coop....

 

[conklinator]

That looks pretty good!  Um, just wondering if that wire is rated for underground burial and if it's in some kind of conduit when it makes the turn up into the coop....

It is jacketed 14-3 cable designed for outdoor direct burial applications, and no conduit at the turn. I know a chicken beak can leave a bit of a blood blister, but I'd be shocked (as would the chicken) if it could get through a jacketed cable...

 

[Blooie]

Oh, I wasn't being critical, I just couldn't tell from the photo the rating on the wire and it's definitely something most people don't think about. Hubby is always getting called out to farms because after a few years the barn lights suddenly aren't working or the outlets in there are sparking. Lots of times he finds buried wire that rocks have sawed through because tractors and such have driven over it repeatedly!

You'll be just fine as along as you are just running lights. Your coop is turning out great! Nice job.

 

[conklinator]

Oh, I wasn't being critical, I just couldn't tell from the photo the rating on the wire and it's definitely something most people don't think about.  Hubby is always getting called out to farms because after a few years the barn lights suddenly aren't working or the outlets in there are sparking. Lots of times he finds buried wire that rocks have sawed through because tractors and such have driven over it repeatedly!    You'll be just fine as along as you are just running lights.  Your coop is turning out great!  Nice job.

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it. I think I'm just going to end up using an extension cord with submersible aquarium heater for their waterer. I only had 14 gauge wire on hand, and I don't think it's robust enough to run heat and lights.

Hopefully the lights will help my girls continue to mature, as only 3 of my 11 hens are laying, and they're all well over 28 weeks old.