New coop/breeding pen for my Delaware's

[TinTennessee]

If yOu use western red cedar it would wear to a nice grey & will look alot like a old barn. Hope this helps. Wish I had seen this post earlier, before you used the t-11

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks, Stumpy. I looked up the Nags Head cart coop... very cute! I have a coop built on the same type of cart. It ended up being too small for what I need, but I still use it as a brooder in the summer. The tires have gone flat and I'm not sure if they can be fixed with the coop attached.

Well, it will be too small for me, too, but I'm just thrilled to be getting something. We live in the woods and have very little flat area, so this was a way I thought I could finally get chickens!!! I hope to get the first chicks of my life (3) this week.

I love the garden coop idea. BTW, we just got started on our coop and discovered a little nail in the tire. It was repaired today for just $5.00. It was easy to remove the wheel and tire.

 

[capayvalleychick]

I never posted pics of the finished coop & runs. The coop has been in use since late Spring. I started them out on the west side, which got way too hot, so switched them to the east side run for the summer. There needs to be more shade, so I will be planting trees & shrubs, along with the ground cover crops. I planted a mix of oats, wheat, clover, etc. in the west side run before moving them back to that side for the winter. They have already eaten quite a bit of the forage already.
West side run:


West side of coop:


North side of coop:


View of both runs with coop:


South side of coop:


East side run:


East side of coop:


Thanks for looking!

 

[G-Man]

Hi Kim!

Your coop looks fantastic!!
Great idea of having multiple, paddock type runs available. Smart thinking.

Have you decided on what types of trees you want to plant for shade?
I've been considering planting a 'Morus Nigra' Black Mulberry tree on the outside of my chickens run.
They are a fast growing shade tree that can bare fruit their first season. (I'm still trying to locate a source).
I read about it in the chicken gardens book and liked the idea of the fruit dropping for my birds.

Your color scheme is great and I love the way your roof and trim work turned out.
I would say you have a very beautiful piece of garden art!
Congratulations and thanks for sharing.

 

[capayvalleychick]

Hi Kim!

Your coop looks fantastic!!
Great idea of having multiple, paddock type runs available. Smart thinking.

Have you decided on what types of trees you want to plant for shade?
I've been considering planting a 'Morus Nigra' Black Mulberry tree on the outside of my chickens run.

Thanks! I planted a fig tree on one side. I'm thinking maybe a persimmon for shade on the other side. I have some of those fruiting Mulberry trees. I planted them about 7 years ago. They are only 3-4 feet tall, more like a shrub. I read recently that they will become a shrub unless you prune them to have a single trunk, to encourage upright growth. They are a great plant for forage since their leaves have similar nutrition as alfalfa, plus the wonderful berries. I bought mine at a nursery in San Diego County.

 

[G-Man]

Thanks! I planted a fig tree on one side. I'm thinking maybe a persimmon for shade on the other side. I have some of those fruiting Mulberry trees. I planted them about 7 years ago. They are only 3-4 feet tall, more like a shrub. I read recently that they will become a shrub unless you prune them to have a single trunk, to encourage upright growth. They are a great plant for forage since their leaves have similar nutrition as alfalfa, plus the wonderful berries. I bought mine at a nursery in San Diego County.

Excellent choice on planting the fig tree. Nice broad leaves for shade.
Thanks for the heads up on keeping the Mulberry trees trimmed.. and I didn't realize the leaves were so nutritious. That's a win, win for my birds.
Calling my local nurseries is at the top of my to do list for Tuesday.