JagZilla
Chirping
Earlier this month, I started a thread about wanting to build a 6'x10' Stoddard Southern coop for my 14 chicks. After reading some very helpful comments from experienced members here, I decided to scrap those plans. I'm now building a 8'x8' open air, shed-style dirt floor coop of my own design.
Because we have very long hot, humid Summers, and, rarely see Winter temps much below freezing, I wanted something very open & ventilated. Although the drawings don't show dimensions, the front wall is 7' high (including the 4x4 base), and the rear wall is 6' high. The rear, and side walls have full 4'x8' sheets of plywood along the bottom, and hardware cloth up top (as indicated by the various shaded areas in the drawings). The front wall only has plywood on the door, and, on the lower 18". I plan to use 4 - 1'x1' exterior access nesting boxes on each side wall, and I'll attach a 10'x10' chain link dog kennel to the front of the coop, as a run. I will likely also use clear corrugated panels to make some detachable covers for the large open areas, during any extended cold spells we might occasionally have.
I built the base out of 4x4x8ft posts, and attached welded wire fencing to the bottom of it, in order to keep out predators.
I also picked out a shady site along the northern fence line of my back yard.
I thought the site was pretty flat, and would only require minimal prep to make it level. Boy, was I wrong. Today, I spent 8-9 hours of quality time with a flat-nose shovel, a pick axe, and, a 4' level, cutting through roots & getting everything level for the base. I finally finished, and, set the base in place just as it was getting too dark to do any further work, and the storms were rolling in.
I'm really going to be feeling this in the morning.
Next I'll use landscaping staples to hold the welded wire flat to the ground, and, put a couple inches of dirt over the wire. That should happen tomorrow, along with building at least one or, two of the walls...if I'm not too stoved up to move.
As with my previous coop idea, I'm open for constructive criticism, and helpful ideas.
Because we have very long hot, humid Summers, and, rarely see Winter temps much below freezing, I wanted something very open & ventilated. Although the drawings don't show dimensions, the front wall is 7' high (including the 4x4 base), and the rear wall is 6' high. The rear, and side walls have full 4'x8' sheets of plywood along the bottom, and hardware cloth up top (as indicated by the various shaded areas in the drawings). The front wall only has plywood on the door, and, on the lower 18". I plan to use 4 - 1'x1' exterior access nesting boxes on each side wall, and I'll attach a 10'x10' chain link dog kennel to the front of the coop, as a run. I will likely also use clear corrugated panels to make some detachable covers for the large open areas, during any extended cold spells we might occasionally have.
I also picked out a shady site along the northern fence line of my back yard.
I thought the site was pretty flat, and would only require minimal prep to make it level. Boy, was I wrong. Today, I spent 8-9 hours of quality time with a flat-nose shovel, a pick axe, and, a 4' level, cutting through roots & getting everything level for the base. I finally finished, and, set the base in place just as it was getting too dark to do any further work, and the storms were rolling in.
I'm really going to be feeling this in the morning.
Next I'll use landscaping staples to hold the welded wire flat to the ground, and, put a couple inches of dirt over the wire. That should happen tomorrow, along with building at least one or, two of the walls...if I'm not too stoved up to move.
As with my previous coop idea, I'm open for constructive criticism, and helpful ideas.
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And you all are right, chickens LOVE to dig. I tend to forget why mine are now confined besides their safety.
