Playhouse to Coop Conversion on Shoestring Budget (UPDATE)

[MotherJean]

Hi Atholcoop! I'm on Fidalgo Island. It's one of the few islands in the San Juan chain that you don't need a ferry to get to. We've got a bridge to the mainland. You catch the ferry to the other islands and Victoria, B.C. here. Have you been to the San Juans before?

 

[mamakelly]

That's a fantastic idea! I love the playhouse idea

 

[newchicksnducks]

Love the remodel job! I wouldn't worry too much about cold. In NE Ohio, we get sub zero temps. My coop is a wood building, no heat (although I did have to use a heated waterer - when the girls pulled the plug over night, we had a 3 gallon ice cube in the morning!). The 15 girls survived the cold without any problem. We use shavings, kept their toes warmer when on the floor. Make sure they have water every day instead of ice, add shavings or hay as needed for warmth, and they should do fine in your more temperate climate

 

[ChixMama]

You are very clever & resourceful, too!!! It looks great!

 

[MotherJean]

Thanks for the input, Chicksnducks. I've been really tossing it back and forth on shavings vs. sand. Both have their advantages, which is why I'm having a tuff time deciding. It's not going to be an issue until October, but the reason I was leaning toward sand was so I could avoid a poop board taking up precious space. The coop is just 20 square feet of floor space and I have 6 Light Brahmas. That may be a real tight fit come Fall and Winter when the ladies will want to spend more time inside than out. That's a lot of poo

I'm sort of like the chickens - I don't like standing out in the rain either. I especially wouldn't like spending a lot of time mucking out the coop in the rain because I didn't use a poop board. Years ago I used deep litter for my flock. I'm just not sure how effective that would be in a small space like this. From what I've gathered here on BYC, the sand acts like a dessicant and mucking out is like sifting the cat's litter box.

Decisions...decisions

Nothing says I can't try it both ways to see which both me and the chickens prefer, I suppose. There's also the possibility I'll be reducing my flock to 3 or 4 birds, too... And then, of course, there's always the possibility that a meteor will hit the Earth next week rendering the whole issue moot

 

[AtholCoop]

Quote:
Lots actually. My old man used to keep his GB-42 at Anacortes. Spent a lot of time up at Friday Harbor as a kid, and have a good friend on Lopez.

 

[Barred Rocks forever]

cant wait till u start working on the run

 

[MotherJean]

Quote:
Lots actually. My old man used to keep his GB-42 at Anacortes. Spent a lot of time up at Friday Harbor as a kid, and have a good friend on Lopez.

Kinda figured. Assuming the GB stands for Grand Banks. Nice boat. Aside from about 10 years searching for greener pastures in the big cities of Seattle and Los Angeles, I've lived here all my life. Since I remember 25 cent loaves of bread and gas at 35 cents - that's a long time

I alternately love it and hate it, all depending on whether or not I've just been through a couple of gloomy months of non-stop drizzle. July through October is delicious, however. Checked out your BYC page, btw. I certainly admire what you've done with your place.

 

[MotherJean]

I'm calling the coop finished and work on the run is underway. Just in time, too. The girls outgrew their brooder box and were beginning to get a little b*tchy in such close quarters. Even though they're just 4 weeks and our Northwest weather is still running down into the high 40's at night, I moved the kids into the coop with a 100w light and all is well. It's early days, of course, but I'm really happy with the coop. It's cute, functional, and (so far) I haven't found anything I would change.

Here's the big picture of the coop up on it's platform, some painting done, and even a bucket of flowers and a couple of solar porch lights for bling. The external nest box has been mounted in the window opening on the right. Made from scrap 2x2 and an oddment of T1-11 siding. Located right under the eave of my house, I paid special attention to caulking the heck out of that box to keep everything dry inside.

I went round 'n round on what to do for the floor. Coop is sitting on a plywood-covered pallet. Plan A: caulk around the outside, paint the plywood, throw down some sand or shavings inside and call it "good." Wouldn't work. First hard rain, water leached under the walls. If I'd had any litter down at the time it would have been a sodden mess. Plan B: install ceramic tile. A trip to the recycler netted me 20 sq. ft. of mismatched tiles for $9. I had thinset and grout left over from a bath remodel and set to work. The floor is now above the waterline and watertight. Should be easy to clean, too.

I ran a heavy duty outdoor extension cord from my greenhouse, through buried conduit, to the coop to power their clamp-on light. It's now hanging at the center peak of the roof from a couple of hooks secured in the plastic with molleys. The pop door opens into the coop by necessity, so I built a little dam around the opening to hold the litter at bay. Door opens by means of a sturdy polyester rope run through eye bolts over to the "people door" for convenient open/close. The big window at the rear is covered in hardware cloth and a sheet of plexi. I have foam insulation inserts cut to cover some of the ventilation at the top if it gets too cold. The plexi will be removed in warm weather. Food is in a homemade PVC pipe feeder to the left just inside the door. Water fount is up on a couple of bricks next to the food. Water nipples are ordered and on their way, however. I am SO over cleaning poop and shavings out of their water six times a day!

And here's happiness

I installed a temporary "baby" roost, which was an instant hit. That will be replaced with a much taller roost when the girls get full size. This is a good shot of the PVC feeder design that is just the bomb. Thanks to KatyTheChickenLady for her idea on using the Y fitting. Sticking with the wood shavings for warmth right now. With warmer weather that will be replaced with sand for easy cleaning.

Once the kids were in their new digs, I began work on the run. Will post more pics and details later this weekend, but here's a first peek - all recycled materials - $0 so far.

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

I love the idea of using the gazebo legs for the sides of the run! Neat idea!!!! We gave the one that was destroyed in a storm to my Dad and he uses the legs for rose trellises! lol