Our DIY Rooster/Night box

[Bens-Hens]

I had a bit of time this morning, so I fiddled about with the spare set of hinges and found a way to get them on. One side is almost finished, the other has a door mounted, but I need to complete the capping on the door frame.

Other than that, I just have to put the roof vent back on, door latches, roost and test it out before setting it up.



With the change in hinge there is a bit more meat to it, and even though they are the wrong sort, putting them inside means the doors open past 90 degree. Not much left to go, but I do have to figure out what I am going to do for legs.

 

[aart]

Nice fabrication!
I'll be real curious to see how your ventilation concepts works out.
How are you going to test it?

 

[speedy2020]

The real challenge is get the rooster to sleep in the his coop by himself. Most of the rooster like to hang out with the hens.

 

[Bens-Hens]

I can't really test the airflow, but I can test internal temps. I have a few thermometers, a few are remote types. I should be able to measure internal and external temps, and that will be key I think. If the temps are higher than ambient, then it will need more flow. If it needs more, then I will add it in the floor with a mesh plate or something.

The boy's won't have much choice in sleeping in there hahahaha, We go down to the coop every night already, so we will gather them up and plonk them in there, let them back out in the morning. I doubt I could train them to climb in on their own.

 

[Liberty Nursery]

Awesome thread! I am in the same situation as you. I want a rooster for breeding but my neighbors will not want to hear it. I can legally have a rooster in this city but a neighbors complaints can change neighborhood rules and city laws in a hurry. Your solution is a lot cheaper than mine... a large metal carport and straw bales for walls. And a layer of 6 mil plastic to keep the straw dry. I want to breed Dorkings for meat.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Thanks mate, this is my attempt to bend the rules a bit, egg bribes and quiet nights might get us a few fertile eggs at least.

I have a bit more of an update. Not much but getting closer to being able to test it.

I can also safely say, I can fit inside this hahaha

Some little plated handles from the hardware, pack of two was $2.95



I scrounged these today, thinking I might put some rubber edging on it, a hinge and put one or two in the floor, more air flow and a 'drop hole' for easy cleaning.


Due to the way I made the doors, I had trouble making a door latch work, especially what I had laying around, but when I saw the handles, I saw these kitchen cupboard catches, pack of two $3.95 each. I put two on each door. One needs adjusting though as it is not locking very well.


Also grabbed my last pieces of capping for the second door, cut and fitted that up this afternoon.


So, now, I just have some trim work to do, fix some sharp edges, caulking, floor vent/s - drop hole, adjust the last latch I put on today and test it out. Oh, also need to make a timber roost. I thought I was nearly finished hahahaha

 

[Bens-Hens]

I only got about an hours worth done today.

Added some capping to the upper and lower corners. Had some gaps from free hand cutting, so I covered them up.

Also added some foam strip to the door skins and adjusted the door that needed a tweek.

Permanently fixed the roof vent, still need to look at how I can make the drop box from the mesh I picked up.

No pics today sorry.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Also, made a roost for the rooster box. Grabbed a old pallet support, a quick plane, screwed it down to some off cut channel. If it needs to be higher, I will flip the channel and screw it back down.


Also got a shot showing the corner parts I did yesterday.


Floor vent and caulking to go, then tests.

 

[Bens-Hens]

Just a small update with the rooster box.

It's almost done, final check over and caulking tomorrow, then I can stick a thermometer in there and see how it goes, will also try find something noisy to compare inside to outside noise levels. I think I have some dodgy decibel meter app in my phone to see if I can get a backyard result.

Pretty much all out of the capping, so had to join left over angle parts. Here is the hole in the floor. Just putting in one mesh floor vent.


Angle capping on the bottom.


Added the mesh flap, sit flush with the floor, has a single hinge on it.


Closed up.


As it is now. Just want to run around it with a file and smooth over some sharp corners, and hit it with some silicon caulking. IF I get a chance tomorrow I would also like to make some legs or some sort of timber frame. I have a few lengths of some solid pine down the side of the house that should work perfect.

 

[Ramblin Rooster]

wow that not only looks very nice and professional but looks like it may work too! I just found out I have 2 welsummer roos and I too am thinking of something to this affect but much less professional looking because I have no carpenting skills whatsoever!