post your chicken coop pictures here!

[quailling101]

Please help me and give me suggestions to see if this is workable. I have a playgym my kids played in years ago and now no one plays in it anymore. I am thinking to convert it into a coop.

Will the chickens be able to go to the 2nd floor if I put into a ladder. If yes, I plan to build the 2nd floor as the coop and the lower level be the run. Any suggestions are welcome. My dh does not know my idea yet. I want to make sure it is possible first. Thanks.

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Hi and welcome to BYC @quailling101Yes they would be able to easily walk up the ramp as long as it is t to steep and has some sort of twigs or something nailed to it to give them grip to walk up. I wouldn't put no more than 5-8 chickens in that coop and I would extend the run a little to give them a little more room to play, and that can easliy be done with a small role of chicken wire and a few stakes. unless you plan to free range around your property. I think it would be a pretty easy project all you probably need is 2 sheets of flake board or ply wood to side it and a few peices of tin and a few vents, and chickens good luck hope it works out

 

[searlus]

It is definitely do able. My ladies use whatever is around to climb up somewhere to investigate. If the ladder is inside the coop though they may use it to roost, so I would make sure there is a door that separates the ladder from the coop. Adding plywood to the underside of the ladder might be a good idea too, don't want them falling a big distance if they slip between the rings.

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Although you might have to replace that top board were the roof would be screwed to because of how bowed it is, and I would get a 1-2 2x3s to support the tin in the middle of the roof. And are you allowed to have chickens in your area and there are sometimes a limit of how many. Where I live there isn't a limit and there is no ne who can say I can't have a rooster either because all of the neighbors say they can't hear him or they like hearing him crow in the morning. I would check with the local Heath and zoning board to see how many or if you are allowed to keep them.

 

[aim0474]

It isnt done but I have to post because I am so proud of myself! I built this all by myself with very little help from my husband. It is my first construction project that I have planned and completed. (and it is even level!)

To the left is a long dust bath box. It is getting a hinged lid over the wire so I can open it and put dirt in when needed, but it will stay dry in wet weather.

To the right is the upper part of the run. The run will actually be a small step down at the end and then have more run. It will have a lid too, mostly so I can get in there and clean it.

The coop is attached on the other end.

 

[quailling101]

Although you might have to replace that top board were the roof would be screwed to because of how bowed it is, and I would get a 1-2 2x3s to support the tin in the middle of the roof. And are you allowed to have chickens in your area and there are sometimes a limit of how many. Where I live there isn't a limit and there is no ne who can say I can't have a rooster either because all of the neighbors say they can't hear him or they like hearing him crow in the morning. I would check with the local Heath and zoning board to see how many or if you are allowed to keep them.

Yeah. I think I can only keep 3 hens, no rooster. And the coop has to be 100 ft from any property line which I don't think I can comply. Anyone of you have the same problem but did it anyway? Right now I am keeping some quails right on my patio surrounded by other potted plants so my neighbors couldn't see. But for chickens which I really like to keep, 100 ft is way too many feet in a suburban lot in a big city. Any ideas to get away from keeping just a few chickens for eggs?
Thanks.

 

[quailling101]

It is definitely do able. My ladies use whatever is around to climb up somewhere to investigate. If the ladder is inside the coop though they may use it to roost, so I would make sure there is a door that separates the ladder from the coop. Adding plywood to the underside of the ladder might be a good idea too, don't want them falling a big distance if they slip between the rings.

Thanks for the information.
More questions: do I need to keep the feeder and waterer inside the coop on the second floor? Can I keep them on the first floor run? Can I have Windows on the 2nd floor coop house? A lot of people's coop do not have a lot of Windows and the chickens live in the dark? Sorry that I am asking too many questions and my coop is still on the drawing board.

 

[junebuggena]

Thanks for the information.

More questions: do I need to keep the feeder and waterer inside the coop on the second floor? Can I keep them on the first floor run? Can I have Windows on the 2nd floor coop house? A lot of people's coop do not have a lot of Windows and the chickens live in the dark? Sorry that I am asking too many questions and my coop is still on the drawing board.

The coop is their secure shelter. The run is for the daytime. The run is where most chickens will spend their days. With coops, ventilation is much more important than windows. Usually vents are up near the roof line so that they can be left open in all weathers. If you've got enough ventilation, the coop will also have plenty of natural light.
Food and water is usually kept in the run since chickens don't eat or drink once they've gone to roost for the night. Also, most people find it best to remove the feeders from the run each evening to avoid attracting unwanted critters.
For a general guideline on space, 4 sq ft of coop and 10 sq ft of run space is a basic starting point. Some breeds/individuals need more. Bantam breeds need much less.

 

[searlus]

The coop is their secure shelter. The run is for the daytime. The run is where most chickens will spend their days. With coops, ventilation is much more important than windows. Usually vents are up near the roof line so that they can be left open in all weathers. If you've got enough ventilation, the coop will also have plenty of natural light.
Food and water is usually kept in the run since chickens don't eat or drink once they've gone to roost for the night. Also, most people find it best to remove the feeders from the run each evening to avoid attracting unwanted critters. 
For a general guideline on space, 4 sq ft of coop and 10 sq ft of run space is a basic starting point. Some breeds/individuals need more. Bantam breeds need much less. 

It's pretty amazing how much light does make it through just the vents. I do have a window up high on the back of the coop to assist with ventilation and light. But the 7 metal vents that are on it do provide a decent amount of light.

 

[quailling101]

The coop is their secure shelter. The run is for the daytime. The run is where most chickens will spend their days. With coops, ventilation is much more important than windows. Usually vents are up near the roof line so that they can be left open in all weathers. If you've got enough ventilation, the coop will also have plenty of natural light.
Food and water is usually kept in the run since chickens don't eat or drink once they've gone to roost for the night. Also, most people find it best to remove the feeders from the run each evening to avoid attracting unwanted critters. 
For a general guideline on space, 4 sq ft of coop and 10 sq ft of run space is a basic starting point. Some breeds/individuals need more. Bantam breeds need much less. 

Now I understand. Thank you very much.
I have been reading up on many peoples posting. I do not have any chicken yet and my coop plan is still on the drawing board but I am as hooked on keeping chickens like everyone here. This is so addicting even before having any chicken. Hopefully next spring!! One day....