post your chicken coop pictures here!

[iwiw60]

Still adding finishing touches to mine. But here it is

Looks great! Your ladies will love it I'm sure!

 

[roostercantrell]

This is SO CuTe! Loved Dr. Suess!

love the design it is soooooooo cool

 

[Sylvester017]

it aint easy too build from scratch even with the skills and tools for me it was a money issue if i had the money i wouldve bought a prefab coop ihad most of the materials either given to me or had them laying around

That's the way we made the lean-to's for our flock - leftover planks or reclaimed wood from people's trash etc. We're driving around in a 15-year-old Cherokee because we can't afford a new car yet. We're holding it together with chewing gum and rubber bands for now!

 

[roostercantrell]

That's the way we made the lean-to's for our flock - leftover planks or reclaimed wood from people's trash etc. We're driving around in a 15-year-old Cherokee because we can't afford a new car yet. We're holding it together with chewing gum and rubber bands for now!

lol i know how it is does your jeep have bailing wire too. lol

 

[Sylvester017]

lol i know how it is does your jeep have bailing wire too. lol

No bailing wire yet but we have to put 1/2 quart of transmission oil before we can go grocery shopping. There's more oil on the garage floor than in the engine!

 

[roostercantrell]

No bailing wire yet but we have to put 1/2 quart of transmission oil before we can go grocery shopping. There's more oil on the garage floor than in the engine!

put a pan under it at nite yo catch it and reuse it at least that is what i heard H/D owners do lol

 

[Sylvester017]

put a pan under it at nite yo catch it and reuse it at least that is what i heard H/D owners do lol

They don't make pans big enough for us - the leak moves around like a ghost. Every day it leaks in a different spot but it's definitely the transmission oil. Forced to take it to a mechanic in the next month to pass the smog test for licensing. Just crossing my fingers I don't have an emergency vet visit in the meantime!

 

[chalet girl]

OH BOY! OH BOY! OH BOY!!!! Tomorrow morning I'm going to pick up three hens!!!
Let's see...I've got the coop assembled, sprinkled it with DE, put hay in the nest box and wood shavings in the coop, put up the run, stocked up on feed and oyster shells, bought waterers, a feeder and will finish securing the run and coop with chicken wire tomorrow. I've saved up some trimmings from Brussel sprouts and butternut squash that we had for dinner last night to spread in the run and I've got a very flexible schedule for the next few days.
I think I'm ready!!

Here's a photo of the coop and 2/3 of the run...after I took the photo I added another section of run. They have about 3 square meters. I'll have three chickens in it and plan to make another area at the bottom of the garden/yard for them to be able to be free in. They will get time out of the run to play and explore every day.




The building on the left is my new Pilates chalet...the box to the right of the coop/run is storage for straw, bedding, feed etc.


I've still got to put the wire skirting down around the coop and run.


I've a couple of questions and if some of you seasoned Poultry lovers can help with a couple of answers/suggestions I'd appreciate it!
I've been told to put them in the coop when I bring them home so they can settle. Some people say 4 hours but I'm thinking I should just let them settle then open the door.
Also, is there anything I should avoid like giving them the kitchen scraps right away for example? I want to make sure I don't give them a shock or make them ill.
I believe the chickens I'm getting have not seen grass before and that they have been kept in crowded conditions. I'm really looking forward to seeing them discover grass!
I'm just hoping to make their homecoming as stress free as possible.
Thanks for your help!

EXCITED!!!!!

 

[kenmlang]

OH BOY! OH BOY! OH BOY!!!! Tomorrow morning I'm going to pick up three hens!!!
Let's see...I've got the coop assembled, sprinkled it with DE, put hay in the nest box and wood shavings in the coop, put up the run, stocked up on feed and oyster shells, bought waterers, a feeder and will finish securing the run and coop with chicken wire tomorrow. I've saved up some trimmings from Brussel sprouts and butternut squash that we had for dinner last night to spread in the run and I've got a very flexible schedule for the next few days.
I think I'm ready!!

Here's a photo of the coop and 2/3 of the run...after I took the photo I added another section of run. They have about 3 square meters. I'll have three chickens in it and plan to make another area at the bottom of the garden/yard for them to be able to be free in. They will get time out of the run to play and explore every day.




The building on the left is my new Pilates chalet...the box to the right of the coop/run is storage for straw, bedding, feed etc.


I've still got to put the wire skirting down around the coop and run.


I've a couple of questions and if some of you seasoned Poultry lovers can help with a couple of answers/suggestions I'd appreciate it!
I've been told to put them in the coop when I bring them home so they can settle. Some people say 4 hours but I'm thinking I should just let them settle then open the door.
Also, is there anything I should avoid like giving them the kitchen scraps right away for example? I want to make sure I don't give them a shock or make them ill.
I believe the chickens I'm getting have not seen grass before and that they have been kept in crowded conditions. I'm really looking forward to seeing them discover grass!
I'm just hoping to make their homecoming as stress free as possible.
Thanks for your help!

EXCITED!!!!!

Welcome to BYC from Cut-nShoot TX!!! First of all your coop looks great and well built. I personally, would just put them in the run when you first get them home. Let them just settle and begin to enjoy their new home. You may have to physically put them in the coop the first couple of times, when it is time for them to go to bed for the night. They will be unsure of the ramp, and not want to use it. A good way to make them discover for themselves it is safe is, in the morning, just open the coop door and walk away. If they want out bad enough, they will get over their fear of the ramp.

As for the scraps, I wouldn't give them too much at first, but later (next day) give them pretty much anything they want, in moderation. The most important thing to remember is make sure they have plenty of clean fresh water.

I have one concern though. You said that you were going to secure the run with poultry wire. I have gotten away from poultry wire, because racoons and dogs can tear that stuff apart. I suggest 1/2" mesh hardware cloth. I realize it is pricey, but your birds would be a lot safer.

Anyway, welcome again, and I hope this was of help to you. We are excited for you too!!!

 

[1chief]

I am new on here and my son and i have just took up this chicken business. We really enjoy our 4 chickens, Rhode island red, black australorp, and 2 plymouth rocks my son 9 just loves them! He calls them by name and they just come running to him waiting for the treats he has for them. They follow him all over the yard when we let them out in the evening after schiool. I went a little over kill on the run but my son said that he wanted them to have plenty of room. hope to post more pics soon.