New coop for me.

[Dogfish]

Today's progress.

Made a loft window and installed all windows.

Made and installed the door.

The hinges I bought suck, or my installation sucked, so I'll change that tomorrow.

Started on the insulated nest boxes.

Played with the idea of an egg drop box.

The floor is slanted to the back and the eggs drop out of sight into a padded area so they don't get eaten or broken. There is a space under that partition where the eggs roll through. We'll see how that works, but if it doesn't, It will take 5 minutes to change it to a standard box.

Finish up the nest boxes and the interior tomorrow, including the pop-door lock.

 

[shopchicks]

It is looking great! I am curious about how you are planning to attach the run. I wanted to use those concrete blocks as a base as well, but can't figure out how to wrap the hardware cloth for the run with them in the way (I want to use the area under the coop as part of the run). I'm watching to see what you end up doing!

 

[enggass]

I was going to use pre-built concrete piers about 6" into the ground for the 4x4 corners of my run. The kind where you set the 4x4 into it. Not like yours that are connected to plates. I also plan on having a slanted corrugated roof. My concern is that wind may be an issue. Do you think the concrete piers would suffice? Or, should I put the 4x4 into the ground 24"+/-? I will not have a 'hard' connection to the coop, so as if the wind does push the run, my coop will not be affected.

Input appreciated - I have little experience at this point building.
Steve

 

[CityChook]

Um, wow. And let's not even talk about how I'm never going to let my husband see your humongous shop.

I have shingle envy. Coop is coming along really really nicely.
Man you do FAST work.

BTW, thanks for the photos on your insulated exterior nest boxes. I know lots of people like those, but they are challenging to insulate.

 

[Dogfish]

Finished the nest boxes tonight!

The last two photos show the eggs ramps. There is a piece of straw keeping the egg from dropping.

Then I took some time to hang out with a few chicks afterwards.

The Barred Rocks are by far the friendliest, with a few of the Black Austrolorps warming up really fast. The meal worms really help to develop a bond. (Look at me, a big strong guy talking about bonding. I feel a tear...)

 

[attached_mama]

Great work! THanks for all the pics! They are a huge help for us newbies

 

[Dogfish]

Got the automatic door installed tonight! Made the door out of some 1/4" lexan I had left over from another project, so it was cheap and is almost bullet proof. (No offers to test it, please.)

Fitting the door for function.

Made a lock bar that only allows the door to open when opened by the auto door system.

Installed the opener.

And the finished product.

Need to add roosts, poop boards, flooring (linoluem scrap), water and feeding system, and a ramp. That will complete the coop. I covered the drywall with some masonite. Should be much sturdier and peck proof.

Below is a picture of my Corish Cross meat chickens.

The two in the lower right are a week old. The four going from bottom left to right center are 3 weeks old. The biggest is all of 2 pounds. The chick in the top center is a gold sex link (gold comet), and it is also 3 weeks old. That gives you an aidea how quickly these Cornish Cross grow. I'll be getting 10 more once the original 10 are in the freezer.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

That's an awesome coop! I like the design...no rain will get into those windows. Looks like you put a lot of thought into your design and it just looks fantastic!

I've raised all sorts of exotic birds....wish I would have discovered chickens a lot sooner.

 

[chickenlady81]

wow everything looks fantastic!!! I wish I was that talented. Great job!!! I want to be your birds in another life..lol

 

[greenpeeps]

Bravo. Love the daily photos.