New member to BYC from S.E. Michigan - What did I do?

[fried green eggs]

Hello, I grew up on a large farm outside of Ann Arbor, Mi. My parents had a large flock of white chickens when I was young but, they got rid of them before I was 8years old. I am married 28 years to a very understanding husband, who grew up in the city. We have a horse farm with 6 horses of our own and we board 8 horses and 2 german shorthairs. We also have 9 barn cats, 3 rotties, 1 jack russell terrier - house dogs, and 1 mixed heeler/lab - outside dog, I picked up as a hitch-hicker in TN a few years ago. I showed horses, steers, pigs, rabbits and dogs in 4-H when I was young.

I picked up 6 (5 day old) pullets a week ago at our local TSC. They are so cute. I thought no problem, - fresh home grown eggs

and I can keep them in a stock tank in our sunroom with a heat lamp and just build a cheap large rabbit hutch for them. When I started doing research and I found this wonderful BYC site. I learned about sq. ft per chicken ratio for coop and run size and how fast they grow. Houston - we have a problem. I told my husband we need a garden shed or coop with a run.

He lol and said 'just use a old hunting shed' but when we measured it = too small.

I started looking on craigslist for a cheap garden shed or used coop but, couldn't find one. I researched shed kits but, too expensive. My understanding husband said 'this is your project so, you can build a coop and run but, we could just feed the chicks to our cats'

I'm a pretty good carpenter/electrician so I stared using this site for design ideas with low maintenance and ease of use in mind

I decided I might as well get more chicks - as silly to go to all this work for just 6 so, now we have 14 (2 Rhode Island Reds, 4 Black Sex Links and 8 Easter Eggs (just 1 day old) and I decided to build a walk-in coop 8'x'8 shed roof on legs and skids with a 10 x 20 fenced run.

We have enough steel barn siding (multi colored cover sheets) and shingles - left overs from horse barns to do the exterior and 2 - 4x8 insulation sheets for the interior ceiling and misc used lumber and a friend gave me 150' of fence. I found enough plastic 4'x8' and 4'x10' shower liner sheets at the Resale/Reuse Shop to cover the interior walls and floor for $5.00 a piece ($28.00 a sheet at lowes), I got 2 20"x54" windows for $10.00. I also found lighting fixtures, outlit boxes and a trash can for chicken feed at the Resale Shop cheap.

I picked up lumber and screws yesterday at 1/2 the price of kits so, today I start building the stud wall frames. Then, my husband can help me put it together in sections and It's cold outside so, I'm using our garage and heating it with torpedo heater ; )

I'll post pics as I go.

Katie

 

[schellie69]

from Kansas and make sure you have room to grow because there will be more chickens coming its called chicken math

 

[TriciaHowe]

You are in for some serious trouble if chicken math is working on you already!!!

 

[Muggsmagee]

Just wait...it will get worse...errr...better! Depends which side of the fence you are standing on. Congrats on your chickens!

 

[fried green eggs]

LOL I've already thought of that. I have a friend that will sell me her wood 8'x10' garden shed but we can't get it until the weather straightens out and we can use our Bobcat without tearing up her yard. I'm thinking Pheasants next??? Katie

 

[Luckytaz]

Welcome, from Minnesota.

 

[cackydoodledoo]

from Colorado. My dad was born and raised in Michigan in the Midland/Mt. Pleasant area. Still have a lot of family there. Good luck with your coop building.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

Welcome from Ann Arbor

Yeah, the chicken ranks are growing in our area!

 

[ghillie]

 

[Attack Chicken]

from Indiana!

AC