twizted1
In the Brooder
- Jul 16, 2015
- 10
- 2
- 24
Just posting a brief introduction post on here.
New member from the foothills of the Appalachians in Tennessee. I am working on a coop and run design to start with chickens for the kids, gf, and I to start learning with. Background has been in cattle raised on my grandfather and dad's farms, never had chickens on either one in my lifetime.
We're starting to get a bit of livestock started to get the kids (ages 4 & 6) started learning to care for them and where their food comes from. Started with meat hogs this year (cattle still on my dad's farm and the former in-laws farm for them to learn about as well), chickens are next on our list. Looking to likely start with a small flock (10 pullets + 1 rooster) of buff orpingtons or barred rocks (or a combination thereof) unless something changes my mind.
A little more on the coop design, I am designing it around a 8' high x 8' wide frame, length can be varied as needed to get more of a run area for them. My design this far has a raised coop approx 8x4x5' high raised 24-30" above the run and the run stretching for an additional 8-12' currently) Hardware cloth around all openings (19 GA, 1/2x1/2") with concrete blocks creating the foundation, buried in the ground to help prevent burrowing. Framing will be pressure treated for all bottom boards and non-pressure treated above that (painted of course). Coop has 4"x40" and 4"x75" vents at the top of each wall and Windows on each wall that call be opened or shuttered as needed based on weather. All shutters are intended to be hinged at the top to allow them to be partially opened and help shield any weather from blowing in if need be. Laying boxes are accessible from the outside of the coop to gather eggs for when the time comes. I've tried to research and think this through, although I'm sure there are some things I'm probably missing. Next up is to build the coop and get it painted, then can come the chickens...
New member from the foothills of the Appalachians in Tennessee. I am working on a coop and run design to start with chickens for the kids, gf, and I to start learning with. Background has been in cattle raised on my grandfather and dad's farms, never had chickens on either one in my lifetime.
We're starting to get a bit of livestock started to get the kids (ages 4 & 6) started learning to care for them and where their food comes from. Started with meat hogs this year (cattle still on my dad's farm and the former in-laws farm for them to learn about as well), chickens are next on our list. Looking to likely start with a small flock (10 pullets + 1 rooster) of buff orpingtons or barred rocks (or a combination thereof) unless something changes my mind.
A little more on the coop design, I am designing it around a 8' high x 8' wide frame, length can be varied as needed to get more of a run area for them. My design this far has a raised coop approx 8x4x5' high raised 24-30" above the run and the run stretching for an additional 8-12' currently) Hardware cloth around all openings (19 GA, 1/2x1/2") with concrete blocks creating the foundation, buried in the ground to help prevent burrowing. Framing will be pressure treated for all bottom boards and non-pressure treated above that (painted of course). Coop has 4"x40" and 4"x75" vents at the top of each wall and Windows on each wall that call be opened or shuttered as needed based on weather. All shutters are intended to be hinged at the top to allow them to be partially opened and help shield any weather from blowing in if need be. Laying boxes are accessible from the outside of the coop to gather eggs for when the time comes. I've tried to research and think this through, although I'm sure there are some things I'm probably missing. Next up is to build the coop and get it painted, then can come the chickens...
and Welcome To BYC! Sounds like you are planning a nice coop! You might like to check out / post in the Coop and Run design forum 
