Building a replacement tractor coop. The first one lasted 7 years and I'm hoping to get 10+ out of this one
Here's the initial wall frames in front of the old coop. The new coop measures 4' x 4' x 8' plus 16" center height for the roof pitch.
Pre-painting all of the parts before assembly. Here are the wall panels for the hutch.
Basic hutch and run assembly.
The hens sleep in the upper hutch, the lower part remains open to the run but provides corners to get out of the wind. Lower sides painted white to make it easier for me to see if a hen is underneath. In retrospect, I should have painted the long side white too.
Hutch now has the pop-hole cut out
Inside the hutch is a roosting board near the pop-hole. An access door to the left.
I had fun with this. The ramp is made from a 2"x2" that was cut lengthwise with a jigsaw, creating an uneven and wavy surface. I cut the pieces into 8" lengths and screwed them to a backer board to create this ramp. The screw holes were later filled and then the ramp painted again.
(nevermind the tricycle with the flat tire
)
Hens checking out the maintenance door for the run. Temporarily tied closed before the hardware was installed.
The hutch maintenance door.
Hardware cloth to separate the rafters between the run and the hutch. Based on experience with our first coop, the hens will roost on the highest point they can reach. I definitely don't what the hens roosting on this wall so the hardware cloth prevents roosting but maintains ventilation. This rafter section will remain open year-round.
Because I'm putting on a metal roof, I didn't want the roof radiating cold directly down onto the hens during the winter so I placed an insulating layer atop the hutch.
Metal roof installed and the rest of the hardware cloth has been put up.
Lastly was to put new wheels on the 2"x4" axle. The axle isn't attached, I just lift the heavy end with the handles and kick the axle underneath, then use the handles on the other side to lift and "drive" it across the yard.
Shopping list:
4' x 8' x 1/4" plywood sheets (2 ea)
36" x 10' metal roofing sheets (2 ea)
1" x 4" x 8' boards (3 ea)
2" x 2" x 8' boards (~13 ea)
1" x 2" x 8 boards (~7 ea)
24" x 25' hardware cloth roll (1 new - plus some reclaimed from old coop)
Utility door handles (4 ea)
Hinges (4 ea)
Barrel bolt latches (4 ea)
Safety hook & eye latch (2ea)
Barn red Olympic wood stain (1 gallon)
Exterior white paint (1 quart)
Drywall screws (1", 1-1/4", and 3" lengths)
Metal roofing screws
Fender washers (for hanging hardware cloth)
Lawnmower wheels (2ea - reused previous axle assembly)
Here's the initial wall frames in front of the old coop. The new coop measures 4' x 4' x 8' plus 16" center height for the roof pitch.
Pre-painting all of the parts before assembly. Here are the wall panels for the hutch.
Basic hutch and run assembly.
The hens sleep in the upper hutch, the lower part remains open to the run but provides corners to get out of the wind. Lower sides painted white to make it easier for me to see if a hen is underneath. In retrospect, I should have painted the long side white too.
Hutch now has the pop-hole cut out
Inside the hutch is a roosting board near the pop-hole. An access door to the left.
I had fun with this. The ramp is made from a 2"x2" that was cut lengthwise with a jigsaw, creating an uneven and wavy surface. I cut the pieces into 8" lengths and screwed them to a backer board to create this ramp. The screw holes were later filled and then the ramp painted again.
Hens checking out the maintenance door for the run. Temporarily tied closed before the hardware was installed.
The hutch maintenance door.
Hardware cloth to separate the rafters between the run and the hutch. Based on experience with our first coop, the hens will roost on the highest point they can reach. I definitely don't what the hens roosting on this wall so the hardware cloth prevents roosting but maintains ventilation. This rafter section will remain open year-round.
Because I'm putting on a metal roof, I didn't want the roof radiating cold directly down onto the hens during the winter so I placed an insulating layer atop the hutch.
Metal roof installed and the rest of the hardware cloth has been put up.
Lastly was to put new wheels on the 2"x4" axle. The axle isn't attached, I just lift the heavy end with the handles and kick the axle underneath, then use the handles on the other side to lift and "drive" it across the yard.
Shopping list:
4' x 8' x 1/4" plywood sheets (2 ea)
36" x 10' metal roofing sheets (2 ea)
1" x 4" x 8' boards (3 ea)
2" x 2" x 8' boards (~13 ea)
1" x 2" x 8 boards (~7 ea)
24" x 25' hardware cloth roll (1 new - plus some reclaimed from old coop)
Utility door handles (4 ea)
Hinges (4 ea)
Barrel bolt latches (4 ea)
Safety hook & eye latch (2ea)
Barn red Olympic wood stain (1 gallon)
Exterior white paint (1 quart)
Drywall screws (1", 1-1/4", and 3" lengths)
Metal roofing screws
Fender washers (for hanging hardware cloth)
Lawnmower wheels (2ea - reused previous axle assembly)
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