I am moving and will likely have to build a new coop in the next two months. I have gotten many lovely suggestions about ways to get cheap supplies, but what I really need is expert advice on what I want to build!
Here's what the situation is:
our weather includes hot, dry summers and long wet winters (not much snow, not for long)
our flock will be kept between 15 and 30 birds (standard sized, except the silkie)
we will be renting, so concrete foundation is likely not an option
our birds are shut in at night and while we are out of town (only for a few days a few times a year) so we want an attatched pen for them to enjoy till they get let out to free range the rest of the day.
We would like to be able to collect eggs from outside
I would like a built-in shed section for storing feed etc.
I think it would be cool to have a light in there (I have some flourescents I can get ahold of easily)
Currently, our poor birds are in a barely insulated, unlit, cramped little building which took me almost as much time to remodel as it would have to start over. Their standards are low, but I want to impress them!
So... if anyone has designed and built a coop that they think would work for me and is willing to share plans, however rough, and materials lists I would be ever so grateful. There are 4 of us to build it, and I have drills and saws and other tools... I could make a building and call it a coop, but I want to know what works best. What do you do? What would you do differently if you had it to do over?
Thank you for your help- my chickens will appreciate it.
Here's what the situation is:
our weather includes hot, dry summers and long wet winters (not much snow, not for long)
our flock will be kept between 15 and 30 birds (standard sized, except the silkie)
we will be renting, so concrete foundation is likely not an option
our birds are shut in at night and while we are out of town (only for a few days a few times a year) so we want an attatched pen for them to enjoy till they get let out to free range the rest of the day.
We would like to be able to collect eggs from outside
I would like a built-in shed section for storing feed etc.
I think it would be cool to have a light in there (I have some flourescents I can get ahold of easily)
Currently, our poor birds are in a barely insulated, unlit, cramped little building which took me almost as much time to remodel as it would have to start over. Their standards are low, but I want to impress them!
So... if anyone has designed and built a coop that they think would work for me and is willing to share plans, however rough, and materials lists I would be ever so grateful. There are 4 of us to build it, and I have drills and saws and other tools... I could make a building and call it a coop, but I want to know what works best. What do you do? What would you do differently if you had it to do over?
Thank you for your help- my chickens will appreciate it.
