New Coop build...for the peafowl :) Update-finished pics!!!

[chicks4kids]

So I've started building Pete and Penelope's new house and run and it's coming along pretty well. The house is going to be 10x12x8 and so far the run will be 12x32x8. I've built little 4x8 coops before but I am no carpenter by any means. Hubby bought me a whole complete set of tools (power tools!) to keep out in the chicken coop so I didn't have to keep running up to the garage every time that I needed something. So I guess you could say that I'm trying to put those tools to good use.

I'm kinda just "winging it"-like usual, so if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me hear them. I don't know how to make anything square, but it seems to be ok so far. I guess that's one of those things that you realize isn't done right until you're putting the finishing touches on

--O'well. Plus, I'm building it during the day when the kids are in school and hubby is at work so I have to be able to do it by myself...2 hands and some clamps

I'm setting it in the woods so it'll be shaded in the summertime although where the run will be, it will also get some sun too.

I got the 12 sheets of 1/2" plywood for $80 from Craiglist (

). The 2x4's and treated wood for the run is costing the most $$ so far. I plan on using fencing that I already have but I'm sure I'll have to invest in some more. Hopefully I can find that on CL or my local weekly farm auction. So here is the start of it...a few hours of work. The hardest thing is manuevering the 4x8 sheets of plywood through the trees and around the chickens.

The numbers represent the different walls (hopefully that'll help with suggestions like wall 1 needs....wall 3 needs...etc.

Suggestions? Tips? Advice?

 

[MamaChic21]

I envy you

. Everything looks great. How are you planning on doing the roof ? I am at the same boat as you are in. More power to the ladies

. Keep up the good work and keep us posted on your progress.
One more thing, how about the floor ? Making a 10x12 platform then the walls would of been easier, but then again, I don't know how you're planning on doing the floors

 

[chicks4kids]

Thanks!

The roof will have plywood then a corrugated sheet metal on top of the plywood. I got the sheet metal for free and have had it laying around for 3/4 of a year now. As for the floor, this coop and run is inside of a larger run that I have for my chickens and turkeys. I hadn't planned on having a floor in the coop and wasn't too concerned with predators because for 1, it's already inside of another fenced in run and 2, I was going to put fencing around the perimeter of the coop and run so no digging could be done. I read somewhere that peafowl prefer the dirt floor. You think maybe I should have a floor inside of the coop anyway?

 

[MamaChic21]

Quote:
it's up to you. I don't know much about peafowls. You're planning on building the run ans the coop in 1 roof, as I understand it correctly ? That would look awesome.

 

[C&Rman]

Well I wasn't planning on having a floor for my peafowl coop but it kinda happened that way. You dont have to put a floor, but we have a ton of predators here and it is almost impossible to keep them out without a floor. So I would look towards a floor. As for the coop great job! I really like it. I wish I could find a deal on ply wood like that

 

[chicks4kids]

OK, I have been working on this peafowl pen for 8 days now! With the exception of the trimwork, it is done for now. I moved the pea's in yesterday morning. The coop is 10x12x8 and the run is (temporarily) only 12x16x8. It will have an additional 16 feet of length after I let my body recover from this

I was so excited just to get them in there!! So of course, I have some exterior prettying up to do, add some flowers here and there, decorations, but here it is, 8 days after starting.

This first pic, there is a corrugated see through "skylight" type material in one of the corners and a corrugated tin roof for the rest of the coop. The coop is built on a slant and eventually I will have a water reservoir from the roof.

Here's the run. I plan on adding one more roost out there on the center beam about 6 ft. up. The tree stump is also going to be cut straight across so that thepea's can jump up there and sit.

Here Pete is enjoying his view while Penelope hides behind the stump dustbathing.

See all those rocks outside of the run??? Well, 10 of them used to be inside!!

After moving those, I was done for the day. The 3 still in the run are staying there...they're way too big!

Interior view of the coop

I soon realized after installing this wonderful latch on the outside of the coop door that if you're on the inside and there's no string attached, you're locked in!! So, after getting locked in I drilled and fed a shoestring through the wall for easy escapes. I call it the "Oh crap I did it again!" string

And lastly, here's their roosting spot inside, next to the window under the skylight. Spoiled already!!

And I gotta say, I use to be the wire tie queen! I used it for everything but now I have a new addiction!! Hog nose clips!! So much cheaper, quicker, and more permanent than wire ties!! The tool is amazing!! I found it so easy to use that I'll be using that on my baggies for my meat birds as well!!

I'd post a pic but that's out in the chicken coop...it's dark, and everyone's asleep.

 

[macadam8157]

Quote:

 

[macadam8157]

ok that other quote post did not come out right. But is that a Teradactyl in that 3rd picture??? LOL itsa HUGE !!!

 

[msudawgs56]

Great thinking on the shoe string and latch!

 

[Trefoil]

"I soon realized after installing this wonderful latch on the outside of the coop door that if you're on the inside and there's no string attached, you're locked in!! So, after getting locked in I drilled and fed a shoestring through the wall for easy escapes. I call it the "Oh crap I did it again!" string" Been there,done that.

Great coop