Our Silkies Dr. Seuss style house (a building thread)

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ScottandSam

Still learning
6 Years
Dec 24, 2016
836
820
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Shell Knob, Missouri
Well since the 1st hatch of silkies hit 3 weeks old and the 2nd unhatched hit 3 days in a incubator. We found the time to get started on what will be one of the hardest projects I have every tried to build.
I don't know when the idea came about, but we started researching pictures and designs 2-3 months ago on what will be our Dr. Seuss/ rustic silkie coop. I love the bright colors but not on the outside of the coop. It needs to fit in with the other structures around the property to some degree. Of course this is a work in project that can and will change from day to day. The plans are in my head at this point. The only thing I drew on paper was what was completed today. So from this point forward there will be no level, square or plum bob used in this build. (That really is the hardest point for me). I will be using a ruler from time to time to measure what we need to fit the gap we created. I am excited to get back to building I always have fun. We are also on a tight budget on this build . We are looking to buy flooring support, floor, shingles and roof plywood. Then cut all the rest on the mill. Also we will use some left over wood we have from other projects.
Today we set out to get the floor built so we can start cutting the 2x material we need for framing the walls.

So with no delay the pictures
1st the floor framing. Leveled with rocks and dirt filled inside so no holes to get under the coop. Well at least not the chickens. We will add the Hardwire to the run side later.........................................................

the floor framing.jpg


The plywood floor. The floor and 2x6 are ground contact treated. and before any comments come Yes, rest assured the floor will be painted..........................

the plywood on the floor.jpg


Well we wanted to paint the floor today but it was way too windy and lots of leaves falling that we did not want in wet paint . We will wait on that till there is a roof and walls. Then no leaves or chicken feet will get in the wet paint. We decides to prep the run and let the hens start composting it until the runs complete.
1st load of wood chips.........................................................................

1st load of wood chips in run.jpg


And then another load of wood chips....................................................
more wood chips in run.jpg

The hens loved it. They were inspecting everything we did today and gave us a big thumbs up.

Also please let us know if something looks wrong, out of place, or just a easier way. We are always open to suggestion that is how we learn.

Scott
 
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Baited breath I await.

Well garlic breath, but I guess it's good for baiting something.

Tell me about your saw mill. Brand? Chainsaw mill?

Maybe I overlooked it, but pine logs? What kind?

Beautiful and fun project!

The mill is a Norwood Lm29 band saw. It cuts @ 29" diameter logs 16/9" long for now. We have the 13hp Honda motor on it. Start by 2 pull ever time and we love it.

The logs we are using are Cedar source locally. We chose these cause we work with cedar all the time here. The sap wood is a lot like pine but the heart wood is decay resistant. Same stuff people make cedar chest and closet liners from. The locals burn it when clearing land usually. We want it to weather some before we seal it. to try for the look were want. the first wall should start graying some pretty soon. the interior we will power wash and let it dry then clear it so it red and cream colored. We thinking ship lap live edge siding and maybe some reverse board and baton w/live edges, at least at this point.

Scott
Here are a few projects of ours with Cedar...............................................
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Pic when. Our house was under construction.
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And another fun one................................
FB_IMG_1509938386824.jpg
 
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Well we got a few hours to work today. It started off slow. Our mill is down till we can get a few specialized studs and spacers ordered up.We had to work with some extra 2x4 we cut last weekend. So the focus was on the nesting box.We also had some plywood cutoff laying around.
So we're about 65% done on the nesting box so far and........... We will just let the pics show the rest..........................................
20171105_164749.jpg

20171105_164712.jpg


That silly wide 2x4 you see ln the pic 2 has 2 angles at the top and one at the bottom. Boy did that eat up time.
Tomorrow is support to be colder and rain so I'm not sure what we will be able to do. If Notting else I may take that 1st pic into win paint and chop off the front overhang of the 52"L floor or we may just fill it in that area with another floor. And give em wider boxes. It will be 4 boxes 12" + cubed. If that makes sense.
Scott
 
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Well Sunday here was cold and rainy. Saturday at work I dropped a set or perco and colbalt master keys in the lake. I took advange of the crappy weather to get some bottom time and got those keys back. Sunday night cleared up and We eyeballed some log to cut Monday morning. Monday I walked out today and saw Flokie nice and comfy.....................................................................
flokie.jpg


So We started cutting...........................................................................................................
cutting.jpg


Then We Assembled the first wall............................................................................................
wall 1a.jpg


Another view........................................................................................................................
wall1c.jpg


And another.........................................................................................................................

wall1e.jpg


Then we began to trim out the window and provide area around the window for siding to attach to.
wall1d.jpg


And another view..................................................................................................................

wall1f.jpg



The wall proved to be more challenging than I though it would be. it seemed like every board that went on the chop saw was another angle. Very few 90 degree cuts. I slowed down after getting this far flipping back on forth with if we should lower this 85" wall. But in the end I just decided maybe to build the other side lower and leave this alone. lol At least for now. I got some ideas for taking advantage of the headspace that will be created to get the pitch we are after in this structure. Well time to cut some more 4x4 and 2x4 for the sister wall.

Scott
 

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