Our First Coop, Almost Done!

[meadowsong]

We still have a few things to do, I want to paint the nestboxes and the kids plan on painting some murals inside. Anyways, be gentle, we are still learning! We did this as frugally as possible, not a ton of money to spend. Most of the supplies we had on hand, just need to get chicken wire and stuff like that. Pretty inexpensive so far, so we are happy! Long process also lol

We have 20 chicks; 3 confirmed roosters. The rest are hens as of right now

They range in age from 6-4 weeks old.

We started with a very old chicken coop, packed to the gills with JUNK. Years and years of JUNK.

Cleaned out and partitioned off half of the coop

Painted the inside blue (this is just one half of the part we set aside for them). I'm not sure I like these roosts, but they are the original roosts. The nest boxes are also!Don't worry, the door and top there are all covered with netting now.

Fixed all the windows. We made new frames and used plexiglass instead. They are hinged at the top and have a hook to keep them closed at the bottom.

We moved them out Sunday. They REALLY enjoy it out there.

Then yesterday, my husband finished off the run. He used some old fence posts and chicken wire. The wires it skirted out about 2 feets and we will cover that with dirt. We'd like to get some livestock netting and put that up for more support in a few weeks.

We also need to cover the run, probably with some netting of some sort.

I hope to get out there this weekend and paint the nestboxes and do some stenciling and let the kids paint. Then it should be all done! We are so excited haha!!

I went out and pulled a whole bunch of stinging nettles that was inside the run. I couldn't find a clear answer if this was okay or not and I'd rather be safe than sorry on that. There is also some burdock in there, I'm pretty sure that is okay. Anyone know for sure?

 

[DawnSuiter]

I know almost nothing about foliage.. I have to trust my chickens to know what they should and shouldn't eat.. but your coop and run are great! You all did a wonderful job!

 

[Lollipop]

Great facility you have there. I can just imagine the work that went into it BEFORE the remodeling commenced. Very nice.......Pop

 

[crazyhen]

I love the size and what you have done. Are you going to cover the top of your chicken run? Hawks love hens and chicks. I used chicken wire on top and it works great. Some use just nylon netting and that works as well. Enjoy your beautiful place. Geepers why couldn't I be as lucky and have a big building to renovate. I have a 8x8 which already is forcing me to give away some of each breed I purchased. A 4x4 foot sq area for each hen in the house is what I am striving for or a bit more. Gloria Jean

 

[meadowsong]

Yes, we plan on covering the top with netting. I was thinking the black netting you cover trees/bushes with.........I think it's called deer netting? I'm not sure, we will have to price our options this weekend.

It is a huge coop, I can't imagine how many chickens used to be kept in there. There are over 40 nest boxes still in there. Insane!

 

[sarahclrksn]

i think your coop is great you all did an excellent job of it...lots of room

 

[Chirpy]

You have done a great job with that. I'm so jealous you have all that space inside for your chickens.

Congrats - your chickens are going to love living there.

 

[Blisskat]

What an excellent building for your chickens! Congratulations on the product of your hard work!

 

[jhart101]

Great job!

 

[annek]

Man, I would have loved to get a coop like that. I am having to convert a crappy old small shed for my poor chicks. You are doing a great job! As far as the roosts, I am thinking about doing a mini version of that and seeing how it works. Post a picture when you have it all finished! Lucky chickens!