New to this Designed this coop as I went,What do u think? Any tips?

[Ole rooster]

Agree with everyone else. Very nice job. You can tell a lot of thought was put into that one.

Two things I would consider changing or modifying. I think the roost poles should be about twice a large as you have. Those look just a tad small for a large size chickens feet. Plus a little straighter also. The second thing for your benefit is the high roof at the nest boxes needs some type of gutter to stop the water runoff onto nest boxes. When someone goes collect eggs and it if should be raining, that water from the upper roof will be a splatter point, on the window and on whomever is is collecting the eggs. But that's just me. Most folks would say I don't collect eggs when it's raining.

Still you did a super job and have reason to be very proud of your work.

 

[Joe.G]

The Roost Poll's are the same size as Hand railing in the center which is what I see a lot of people using, then one end is smaller and one end larger but most of polls are the size of railing. If they dont like them I can get straighter ones, I have plenty of land ( Plus I am getting my Land logged this winter so Ill have plenty of wood to choose from).

They wanted $1,400 Dollars for one around here that was a lot smaller and no Rabbit Hutch it was labeled Amish Made.

I do plan to add a gutter in the front, Water doesn't get in the coop from the window but I am worried about the Shingles getting messed up from the constant drip.

I am glad everyone likes it, I have seen some real nice setups on here. I am a bit of a perfectionist, And ill redo it as many times as it takes to make it right.

 

[wvchickenhouse]

That's awesome! I want one!

 

[6chickens in St. Charles]

Joe.G :

The Roost Poll's are the same size as Hand railing in the center which is what I see a lot of people using, then one end is smaller and one end larger but most of polls are the size of railing. If they dont like them I can get straighter ones, I have plenty of land ( Plus I am getting my Land logged this winter so Ill have plenty of wood to choose from).

They wanted $1,400 Dollars for one around here that was a lot smaller and no Rabbit Hutch it was labeled Amish Made.

I do plan to add a gutter in the front, Water doesn't get in the coop from the window but I am worried about the Shingles getting messed up from the constant drip.

I am glad everyone likes it, I have seen some real nice setups on here. I am a bit of a perfectionist, And ill redo it as many times as it takes to make it right.

You can add a rainbarrel under that gutter, too! Then you get free water for your chicken's garden!

I saw stacked stones around your base. I think when its warm enough to dig, I would extend 1" or 2" hardware cloth from the top frame, buried into at least 10" trench instead of stones. Its worth every minute of effort, predators make very quick work of digging under, they can put our powertools to shame, how fast and crafty they are. In mine, evil squirrels would attack and bite my chickens, to take their feed, easily bending back the tacked hardware cloth (they have thumbs!). So now it's buried in and fastened with screw fasteners made for hardware cloth. Now my chickens sass the squirrels through there

Staples are no match for a dog, too. They just reach up and pull it apart, much like an ape pulling down a small tree.

Some people here refer to their coops as Fort Knox. But your Fort Knox is very pretty

 

[birdboy15]

This pen is not the right size or type to keep pheasants or peafowl in. Even if you free range during the day your pheasants would never come back.

 

[Joe.G]

The Metal wire on the bottom is behind the wood frame, I have hard ware clothe that I will be putting under ground from the inside, I put the stone there because where I put the coop it is un level so I need to take up the space, It also matches the rest of my Place, I have stones around my pond, I have a lot of stone gardens and stone walls.

I could have built the coop cheaper sure but I wanted it to match So I had to buy shingles so it matched the house and all of my out buildings, I wanted Black Hinges,Locks and handles and Stanley are the only ones I could find around here Not Cheap. I could have gone with Rough Cut 2x4's but decided not to so i had to buy them along with the 4x4's and 2x10's, The Drip edge and then all of the Nails and Screws add up. The Hardware cloth and then the Metal Wire Cost me a $130.00 Dollars for the roll around here so all in all I dont think I did that bad, Could I have done it a lot cheaper sure could but I wanted it to match the rest of the stuff on my land.

If I go with Pheasants Id Make a Separate Pen near the chickens.

I Like the rain barrel Idea, Is there a place I can order one on the net?

 

[birdboy15]

I didn't mean to offend you or anything. It is a very nice coop. I was just remembering some of my first pens and then thinking about the ones I built this summer. seems the more birds you get the simpler the pens are. Don't worry, you'll get to that point some day

 

[Mommy 2 Wee Ones]

Me Want One!

I think you would have no problems taking orders from BYC wanting you to build them a coop. When you retire from Protecting & Serving (Thank You), you have a new career waiting for you.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Great Coop!!

 

[Kbruce]

I love your coop great job! My dh and I are in the process of finishing a chicken coop right now and really wanted the the chicken exit door to be in the floor to exit under the coop as you have it! We were not sure how to do it but we are so grateful you posted such great pics of your design! I just love the way you designed your exit ladder and door with the string attached to pull open from outside. Hope you don't mind but we will be copying that to a T

I do have one question...will something need to be added to keep the pine shavings from falling out when you open the door?

Thanks again for sharing your wonderful work and pics! The best I've seen so far...

Kbruce