Enjoyed beekeeping so much I decided to pickup backyard chicken keeping too.
I read a book "A chicken in every yard" and browsed this website to get educated and started. I grew up around farms so it was a stark change from farm practices to backyard practices. Thought i would put what I learned here for others as this place was really helpful.
I wanted to keep the costs down on the start up as much as possible so i looked into recycle centers for materials. Turned out a local place called Ecocycle had tons of basic building supplies recycled from around the area. You have to be a bit creative on some things. I also used 4x4's from my sons sand box that occupied the spot previously. I'm a DIY'er so I had lots of stuff and hardware around from previous projects. Takes a bit more time working with old lumber as its anything but straight and hard as oak to drive screws in. I also ruined a pricey saw blade with a hidden nail.
Time to build = Took me approximately 5-6 days to construct the coop, i have maybe 2 hours left in details before the girls go out in it.
Costs = $440 for materials (includes hardware & screws)
$120 for chicks, feeders, and other basics stuff
Size = 5.5' x 10' base with a roof height from 5' to 6'
Day 1
Basic frame on brick foundation (all recycled material)
Day 2
Roof, run door, painting, and a couple chicken wire panels
- i used a old recycled door as it was only $10 from Ecocycle
-chicken wire and roof paneling was new material (except tar paper and rubber from a flat top building that was recycled)
Day 3
Coop door, nest boxes, and walls
-used old greenhouse double wall panel for window
-coop door used new plywood and side of coop was from the same sheet
basic inside (Floor is new wood and egg box was built from a shelving unit from ecocycle)
Day 4-5
Details and painting (finished all the chicken wire panels, side vents, ramp, and fixing mistakes)
*need a pic of the finished paint, ramp, and the hanging feeder/water
Chicks are about 5 weeks old now (old pic) and I'm hoping are as excited as me to get them outside
I read a book "A chicken in every yard" and browsed this website to get educated and started. I grew up around farms so it was a stark change from farm practices to backyard practices. Thought i would put what I learned here for others as this place was really helpful.
I wanted to keep the costs down on the start up as much as possible so i looked into recycle centers for materials. Turned out a local place called Ecocycle had tons of basic building supplies recycled from around the area. You have to be a bit creative on some things. I also used 4x4's from my sons sand box that occupied the spot previously. I'm a DIY'er so I had lots of stuff and hardware around from previous projects. Takes a bit more time working with old lumber as its anything but straight and hard as oak to drive screws in. I also ruined a pricey saw blade with a hidden nail.
Time to build = Took me approximately 5-6 days to construct the coop, i have maybe 2 hours left in details before the girls go out in it.
Costs = $440 for materials (includes hardware & screws)
$120 for chicks, feeders, and other basics stuff
Size = 5.5' x 10' base with a roof height from 5' to 6'
Day 1
Basic frame on brick foundation (all recycled material)
Day 2
Roof, run door, painting, and a couple chicken wire panels
- i used a old recycled door as it was only $10 from Ecocycle
-chicken wire and roof paneling was new material (except tar paper and rubber from a flat top building that was recycled)
Day 3
Coop door, nest boxes, and walls
-used old greenhouse double wall panel for window
-coop door used new plywood and side of coop was from the same sheet
basic inside (Floor is new wood and egg box was built from a shelving unit from ecocycle)
Day 4-5
Details and painting (finished all the chicken wire panels, side vents, ramp, and fixing mistakes)
*need a pic of the finished paint, ramp, and the hanging feeder/water
Chicks are about 5 weeks old now (old pic) and I'm hoping are as excited as me to get them outside
