post your chicken coop pictures here!

[TJordan]

There is a lot of background info and details that are lacking, but IMHO for ease of development  & cash savings, what you might consider is getting the first 4.5 x 4.5 coop in place on legs where you want it to be, at the height you want, then take out one wall (can be re-used as a wall in the extended portion) and attach a second 4.5 x 4.5 (floor) structure to it, so you have an over-all structure ~4.5 x 9 feet. This will give you the square footage you need for 10 LF birds. If the birds will only really be in there at night for roosting, you could probably fit 15 birds in there as long as they all are a flock and get along.

Obviously, these dimensions are non standard as far as lumber is concerned, but since you already have a structure built, and want to incorporate it, this would be the easiest way to maintain uniformity.  There are some other considerations obviously like nest box placement (to conserve floor area, I would make them external with outside access to collect eggs), roost placement (needs to be higher than the nest boxes, yet low enough so they have head room when roosting), where will you place feeders and waterers, and probably the most important, but least thought out; ventilation! You also need to consider human access to be able to comfortably access the interior for cleaning and such.  You can keep floor space available by hanging the feeder and waterer (use a lidded bucket with nipples).

I was going to go in depth on A frames, but there are just too many variables And of course if you just start fresh, you could always use the existing 4.5 x4.5 coop as a quarantine unit or as a broody coop for when you are raising broody chicks.  Whatever you do, I hope it works out for you.

Thanks so much. We think the using it 1st one for broody birds and babies is the best idea and just do the new one for the flock... Thanks

 

[TJordan]

Warning! The farming bug is contagious! It starts out innocently enough with a cute little kitten. Somewhere along the way you acquire a couple of dogs that needed to be re-homed. Then, while at the feed store buying kibble for your dogs, you spy these cute, adorable chicks for sale. You can't resist! Now you've had to build a coop and a chicken run to protect your little darlings.  Your new friend you met at the feed store  suggests that you should get a couple of milk goats because nothing is better then fresh goats milk. While at the farmers market, that nice lady selling local produce recommends you plant a vegetable garden because chickens love fresh greens. Your feed store friend then suggests you should get a couple of wiener pigs to raise, pointing out that in three months they'll be ready for the freezer! You can supplement their feed with greens from your garden. I warn you, this is just the beginning! Soon, you'll need a tractor to manage all that pig manure. You'll need a barn too for all your livestock. Meanwhile, you're trying to figure out how you're going to manage all this on one acre of land!

Gulp!!! Don't mention the goats or pigs please!!! He's already talking a mini cow!!!

 

[TJordan]

Ok thanks so much for all the suggestions... We are going to turn the small coop,

Into the broody, egg hatching coop . It's going on a 3.5 frame and more vents are being added. Along with a garment screen over the bird door if we need to open it at night for added ventilation... ... And I think a 4'x8' A-frame with under coop ramp and outside nesting boxes is the plan... We also have a massive chunk of the back yard fenced off for the run and will add a side compartment for the feeder and waterer... Gives us a solid 4x8 floor room... If everything goes as planed...

 

[TJordan]

That was suppose to be 'varmint' screen lol

 

[iwiw60]

That was suppose to be 'varmint' screen lol

What is a 'varmint' screen? What's it made out of?

 

[LindaB220]

Got my coop in useable shape. This is a conversion. The original building is a 100+ year old, old growth chestnut, smokehouse moved to this location from the old family homestead. The windows are from the old farmhouse as well. Took a lot of cleaning to get it ready. Lots of old curing salts. Pressure washed the interior. Still had the brass meat hooks inside. It's roughly 8'x8'. The run is 12'x9' with 1/2" hardware cloth. I also have a 10 slot nesting box we salvaged out of the old family chicken coop. Coop still needs another coat of paint and the wife wants to put some colored trim around the windows. Guillotine uses two pulleys and I used 550 paracord with 1/2" pvc for a handle. It's to the right of the door. You pull it down and hook it on screw to leave it open. Wire in-ground around the outside of the run covered with gravel. I think I'm going to put wire on the ground in back of the coop as well. Already have things sniffing and digging back there but there's a raised concrete curb on the inside so they'd have to pull the boards away. Also has LED solar light inside for after dark inspection. Solar panel and egg access door are around back.

What a great re-purpose of old materials. It makes it that much more special.

 

[Chestnut]

May we see the solar panel setup? I got one from Harbor Freight a couple years ago that I hadn't used yet, and I'm very interested in how you are doing yours. I'll be using a 5$ walmart LED too.
I love your footbridge! Did you make that too? Your coop is very nice!

Did you keep the old meat hooks? how cool to have so much history in your coop.

CC,

I picked up the solar panel LED set at Northern Tools. It's not super bright but it will run straight off the panel (but has built in rechargeable battery) and charges even in shady spots. I don't have a picture of the setup but here's the picture from their website. It comes with about 10' of wire. I mounted the panel on the side peak opposite the door and ran the wire through a hole and around the edge of the rafters. The LED is mounted up and to the right of the door entry and has a pull cord. It can run in 10 LED or 20 LED mode. Its just enough light to be able to see where everyone is and check on things. I really like it and since I don't have power out there it is a great solution. Don't know if I'm allowed to put a link on here but google Sunforce 20-LED Shed Light, Model# 81094. Should take you right to it.


Yes, I made the footbridge too. I was following directions I found on the web but I think the arch, although visually appealing, is too steep for comfortable travel. I may have to reduce the angle a bit as once snow comes it would be treacherous. Also plan on putting a hand rail on the far side. Lots more landscaping I want to do. A dry stack wall and back fill along the wash. Wife wants to plant flowers but I'm not sure the chickens will let that happen. LOL.

I did keep the meat hooks as well as all the antique mason jars that were stuffed in there. The building hadn't been used for anything in a long while and there was a lot of old things just left in there (including some neat 1956 license plates).

Thanks to everyone for all the kind comments. Project took much longer than if I had started from scratch but it was nice to repurpose an old building that had been used by family for a century. Plus its location is under a huge old maple, probably 75+ years old and it looks nice there and offers shade in the summer.

 

[niter]

Has anyone here expanded their current coop significantly? I have a garden coop and and debating whether I expand via build a second coop, enclose in our run, or build an addition to the coop/run set up.

 

[TJordan]

What is a 'varmint' screen? What's it made out of?

That's just what I call the fine mesh screen that keeps Mosquitos out as well as bigger vermin.... Sorry for the confusion ....

 

[TJordan]

Any one else ever want to just shake your head in bewilderment over building a coop?... My husband has been more indecisive on the building of this bigger coop than he was in deciding to get chickens in the first place!!! First it was 'let's do a 8'x8' coop,' then it was 'how about a two story A-frame 4'x8' ', now he's just had his brother dump a load of recycled and scrap 2'x6.5' plywood (some bigger /smaller) on my porch and uttered the now well-known phrase "this weekend " about the coop... I'm about to "this weekend" him and break out the supplies and do it myself... Injured foot or no injured foot....
Can I get an AMEN !!!