Reclaimed fence panel coop

[MandyMusshafen]

Thought I'd share some pics of the coop we just finished! We used old fence panels from the side of the road for the walls, and some reclaimed tin for the roof! It's roughly 7'×7' and tall enough for me (5'6") to stand upright without touching!
We bought the hardware cloth, brackets, staples, nails, and screws! The run was purchased previously for our old coop! It's being re-modeled next for my bantam cochins!
We plan to haul in some sand for the floor of the coop, and I have a couple plans for my nesting boxes if the current situation doesn't work out. I have an idea to elevate it and add partitions if we end up needing to. We are also planning to bury some hardware cloth around the perimeter later tonight!

 

[MandyMusshafen]

 

[Penpal]

Looking great! I think they will feel safe in there.

I would put straw under the roosting bar. In fact, I would put straw over all of the coop floor. You may have too many nesting boxes. You will figure out which ones they use and use those unused containers for something else.

 

[perkolator]

Great repurposing of materials! Looks great!

A few items of criticism though -- the roof doesn't look supported or sloped, and I'd for sure address that ASAP before fall weather hits. Very clever on the angle brackets to hold this together, but I'd imagine old wood from an old fence will not have the strength and the screws will just pull out at some point, so you may want to beef up the connections when you go to add in some rafters and purlins for roof support.

 

[texsuze]

I love repurposing materials. You have the start of a great coop there! Not sure what part of the country you are in, but a few points to consider, if I may:
1. Widows--cut a nice sized window in each wall of the coop. Securely cover window with hardware cloth and re-work the "cut-out" wood as top-hinged shutters that can be propped open or closed for shade, rain prevention, etc.
2. Ramps-- how 'bout putting short ramps into and out of your pop door? As your chickens age they will be much more comfortable without having to jump all the time. Ask me how I know . Also, the ramps up to your roosts are at a very steep angle.
3. Roost bars--provide some lower level roost bars and/or a multi-ramp setup for access to the higher roosts without hens having to jump or struggle to get up there.
4. Nest boxes--your girls will appreciate some seclusion while laying. The dishpans/shavings are great but perhaps create a 'shed roof' along the wall, over the nest boxes, that provides enough headroom but extends out for privacy. Slant the roof so the girls won't be tempted to roost on top.

Good luck with your flock!

 

[McChooky]

I can see you've put a lot of work into this coop and run but don't see an apron around the bottom to keep our diggers. If it doesn't have hardware cloth buried around the bottom coons, skunks,weasels and coyotes can still get inside.

 

[MandyMusshafen]

I can see you've put a lot of work into this coop and run but don't see an apron around the bottom to keep our diggers. If it doesn't have hardware cloth buried around the bottom coons, skunks,weasels and coyotes can still get inside.

We ran out of hardware cloth when I took and posted these pictures! I had to order more and we added it around the bottom and over all the ventilation holes and corners! We tack up boards to cover the corners in the winter for warmth and then we will take them off when the heat sets in for more air flow. Since the boards dont stay up year round, we covered the corners in hardware cloth to be safe!

 

[McChooky]

We ran out of hardware cloth when I took and posted these pictures! I had to order more and we added it around the bottom and over all the ventilation holes and corners! We tack up boards to cover the corners in the winter for warmth and then we will take them off when the heat sets in for more air flow. Since the boards dont stay up year round, we covered the corners in hardware cloth to be safe!

You may have to attach a wood door frame to the kennel gate to close the gaps .That would definitely improve the security of the run if you're interested.The lessor weasel is very small in comparison to a regular weasel. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...door-area-predator-proof.590043/post-18937153