My Little Project

[Happy Dad]

Here is my little coop building project. I am in no huge rush so this thread may go on for awhile, I also don't have a huge bankroll saved so I'll be building as "fun"ds permit. Please chime in with tips, advice and anytime you see that I'm doing something wrong. The main reason for me creating this thread is so that I can do it right the first time. I have been lurking for some time and have learned TONS!!

I will be basing our design off of this coop that I found on BYC:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/country-charm

The main reason my funds are depleted is we had to have some dirt work done first.







As soon as we started we disturbed a nest of baby skunks and momma. Momma made the dozer smell purdy

Put some drainpipe in and filled the ditch


Look at what got scooped up!!!


Yes, that's a pug

 

[En Plein Air Farms]

Amazing what smoothing out some ground will do. That is quite a large drain pipe in photo one, is it just resting there or is there quite a deluge that comes through that area?

My theory on slow loving projects like this is If I were in a hurry I'd have bought eggs at the store. You'll love it all the better for the time and thought you'll put into it.

 

[Happy Dad]

That is left over 24" concrete pipe that I used for driveway expansion a few years ago. I let dozer owner have it and he gave me some credit on my bill.

I forgot to add that I put 100 pounds of grass seed down only to have a storm dump 2 inches in an hour and wash it all away. I re-drug it again to get rid of the ruts and re-seeded and have been in a 90-100+ degree drought since and the darned stuff won't grow. The stinking weeds and crapgrass, err I mean crabgrass sure will grow though.

O well, I'll wait til Fall to see if the seed will still come up as I gave up on watering it.

 

[teach1rusl]

Ummm...that's a lot of land you cleared there. Just how big a'coop you planning on????

 

[WaterFowl209]

Looks like your puting a lot of work in this project but I'm sure it will pay off at the end of things, I always hate when funds get short perhaps you guys can save cans and turn them in for money towards the project.

 

[sdsmowen]

Wow that is looking really good! I love the coop plan you have picked this looks to be a really fun project.

 

[Happy Dad]

The coop will be 8'x10' with a 4' overhang. The predator proof, totally inclosed run will be as seen in this scan.

Beyond that we plan on having a larger fenced in area to let them roam in as well. This will be fenced but not covered. I've also drawn in an area for a garden. I'm thinking the dotted line could be another fence with gates or a removable fence so that when it isn't garden season they could roam this area also.

 

[Happy Dad]

Looks like your puting a lot of work in this project but I'm sure it will pay off at the end of things, I always hate when funds get short perhaps you guys can save cans and turn them in for money towards the project.

I'm taking donations

 

[teach1rusl]

Beyond that we plan on having a larger fenced in area to let them roam in as well. This will be fenced but not covered. I've also drawn in an area for a garden. I'm thinking the dotted line could be another fence with gates or a removable fence so that when it isn't garden season they could roam this area also.

24" chicken wire wrapped around our garden keeps everyone out but my great dane and the seramas, who are tiny enough to squeeze under the low points of the wire... The big girls, and even my regular bantams never try it for some reason

 

[Happy Dad]

We scored four 9 pane windows on Craigslist for a steal and I also found a 4 pane window in an old unused barn.
If the temperature ever drops below 100 degrees I'll be able to start setting some posts. In the mean time I'll get these stripped and re-glazed.