Our First Chicken House - picture heavy *Update Pics Pg.4*

[Monk]

henningheather, awesome coop, I'd would move in!

 

[River Lizard]

Heather,

Just found your posted topic here and at first I thought I was looking at a mirror image of the coop I'm building!!

You are doing many of the same things I'm going to do to my coop.
My coop is a 10' x 16' design, divided into two rooms: 1 smaller storage/chick raising area and then the regular coop area. We were planning on laying vinyl floorcovering down also, but I wanted to go at least 1' up each of the walls to be on the safe side.
We were planning on putting 2 windows that were wide but only about a foot tall on the same side as you did to bring in sunlight.
I'll be watchin' your topic for your additional photos as you progress with it, I'll be interested in seeing how you do the storage room also. We plan on installing a slop sink in ours.

Great job on your construction!! Keep up the great work!

 

[will hunt for food]

I love seeing pretty work!

 

[grannymac]

your giving me coop envy!

 

[pattyjean73]

Coop Envy indeed. Ready to build me one of those fine houses?

 

[davony's chicks]

You have done an amazing job. I am sure your girls will love it. Coop envy definately!

 

[henningheather]

We have been busy adding all of the finishing touches. The rest of the tin for the roof over the run and one piece on the main roof will be here in a little over a week and then we can finish the last 6 pieces of trim on the south side above the run roof. Then I can paint and by maybe try to landscape around it a little. Not sure if there is anything a chicken won't eat but it is worth a try.

 

[CityChook]

Nice nice job. I especially like the roosting tree in the run. Your chickies will be very very happy.

If you are concerned about using motor oil on your nest box, try mixing boiled linseed oil with mineral spirits, 50/50. Both can be found in the paint section of your hardware store for under $10. Paint it on with a brush, let it sit for 15 minutes and wipe down the excess. On fresh wood, there should be very little excess. This will give it a nice stained look, a waterproof finish and moisturize the wood all at once. Linseed oil is my friend. I haven't used motor oil, but if you're worried about it, try the linseed oil. I've been using it for 12 years (every spring) on my teak patio furniture and it still looks like new. I used it on my coop this spring as well as the waterproofing stain peeled immediately following our winter season.... aaaarrrrrgh!

I grew up in Coeur d' Alene and my Dad farmed in his childhood in Emmett. Idaho holds a special place in my heart.

 

[henningheather]

Quote:
I am 1.5 hours from Emmett. Pretty area. I think the roosts will have plenty of time to completely soak up the oil I used on them and they are feeling dry now and it has only been 2 days. The boards we used were new 2x4's so they drank it up pretty quick. I decided to paint my nesting boxes with primer and porch and floor paint and that should make them very cleanable and take away hiding places for potential mites. I will try the linseed oil mixture when I re-oil them next year. I wasn't actually worried about it until so many people asked about it on this thread. I have read it many times on BYC and thought it sounded good.The oil was only 3000 miles old so it wasn't burnt or foul. Hope it will be OK. I will try your formula on the outside roosts and the ramps to the pop doors, going to HD tomorrow. Thanks for the advice!