post your chicken coop pictures here!

[Sylvester017]

almost finished coop / run area. Just need to put cover on run


bravest chick (white lightning) who came out first

Love the added security of the rocks around the pen plus it looks nice. The chicks might appreciate some step cleats on the ramp about 4 inches apart. They may not need the steps as youngsters but as chickens age, get arthritic, or injured, the steps will get used. We didn't paint our ramp when we made it but just sanded the corners and splinters off so there was still natural wood for our chickens to walk on. If you paint your ramp, to keep it from being slippery add sand to the paint for traction.

What kind of cover do you plan for the run? Bird netting will be useless and sags even in a small area (it's useless over our vegetable garden). However it's better than nothing until a stronger solution can be afforded.

 

[Sylvester017]

I've started construction on my coop. Lots of work has gone into the foundation. Sloping the ground to drain the heavy downpours of rain we get here in Florida. I created a 2' skirt of chicken wire that is partially submerged and covered with rock to keep the digging predators out. I'm painting all the wood after it's been cut with 3 layers of outdoor latex paint prior to building it up to help keep it protected for longer. About 50 sq ft of coop & run once everything is finished. 3 nesting boxes for my 5 birds. The window will allow me to see into the coop from my detached garage which ought to be fun.

Backyard Chicken Coop by (cobrabyte), on Flickr
Backyard Chicken Coop by (cobrabyte), on Flickr

Not much to look at yet, but a lot of work has gone into having a strong proper foundation. The rest should go fairly smooth once I start on the coop and run. More pics as I progress

You obviously take pride in your landscraping and decorating.

One problem we thought about when we were remodeling our house is that in future should we need repairs, repainting, new construction, fumigating, etc, we had to place our coop enough away from the garage wall so that ladders and construction skids would have room. You might want to think about that before butting the coop permanently against a house or garage wall. Just something to think about.

Your coop is going to have a nice shady spot.

 

[iwiw60]

I have painted the hen house since this picture was taken. We used almost all reclaimed materials except for the hen house part.

You did a bang-up job!!! Woot!!

 

[kastnerfam]

ok I have a question I just added a water line under the coop for them with the chicken nipples we bought now how do I get them to actually use it

 

[NikJov1981]

You obviously take pride in your landscraping and decorating.

One problem we thought about when we were remodeling our house is that in future should we need repairs, repainting, new construction, fumigating, etc, we had to place our coop enough away from the garage wall so that ladders and construction skids would have room. You might want to think about that before butting the coop permanently against a house or garage wall. Just something to think about.

Your coop is going to have a nice shady spot.

Thanks Sylvester! We moved in a year ago and have been busy doing a lot or repairs to the home (100 yr old bungalow). The garage and home were recently fumigated and a fresh coat of paint is next on the agenda. Because of the layout of our property and local ordinances regarding where the coop can be located on our property we are relegated to this spot. My plan is to make the coop easy to disassemble so if it ever has to be moved or shifted out of the way all I'll need to do is remove a couple of brackets & screws and viola. The shade is provided by a huge Lychee tree so treats should be raining down on them soon

Thanks for the kind words about the landscaping. The yard was in pretty sorry shape when we moved in so there's still a lot left to do but it's getting there.

 

[iwiw60]

ok I have a question I just added a water line under the coop for them with the chicken nipples we bought now how do I get them to actually use it

LOL!! I had the same question when I first got mine. I fretted and panicked thinking "my girls aren't getting their water!" ... but as I found out, the girls are way smarter than we give them credit for. The first thing I'd tell you is TAKE AWAY ALL OTHER WATERERS when you start using it. It's tough, but do it. When I first mine to use I 'clicked' the little stainless steel tips til a bit of water came out. At first nothing...nada....zip. But then one of them got curious by the clicking sound and when she put her beak to it that was IT! All the others came over out of curiousity. Trust me, THEY WILL USE THEM...BE PERSISTENT!!

 

[iwiw60]

Wow! That is going to be one BEAUTIFUL coop!! And look at that lovely shade for in the afternoons!

Your girls are gonna love you for that! Please post pics as you progress, I'll be interested to see them!

 

[shuteye]

Love the added security of the rocks around the pen plus it looks nice. The chicks might appreciate some step cleats on the ramp about 4 inches apart. They may not need the steps as youngsters but as chickens age, get arthritic, or injured, the steps will get used. We didn't paint our ramp when we made it but just sanded the corners and splinters off so there was still natural wood for our chickens to walk on. If you paint your ramp, to keep it from being slippery add sand to the paint for traction.

What kind of cover do you plan for the run? Bird netting will be useless and sags even in a small area (it's useless over our vegetable garden). However it's better than nothing until a stronger solution can be afforded.

thanks for the advice. i have some left over 2x3 welded wire and some chicken wire i will most likley use for cover... we will see

they loved being outside today 70 and sunny for the first time in 6 mths

 

[Latestarter]

almost finished coop / run area. Just need to put cover on run



bravest chick (white lightning) who came out first

Hey Shuteye,

and the thread! Nice looking setup you have there. Just want to make one comment: I know you get a lot of moisture there being in/near the woods and all. That OSB ramp is gonna get slippery as all get out

You might want to screw some "cleats" to it spaced about every 4 inches or so, and maybe paint it with a good outdoor paint with sand mixed into it for traction. Otherwise that OSB will swell and disintegrate.

 

[Aahobson]

Hey that's nice! Love the logs.

Don't be surprised if there are comments by all us chickeneers to finish up the wiring up to the top to keep out critters. Even in our city neighborhood we have goat-sized Raccoons!

We stood outside our collection box on a rainy day and quickly realized we needed shelter over our egg collection boxes LOL.