Rubbermaid coop... finally up! update 9/11/11 post#56

[mmaddie's mom]

OK... we have decided on the Rubbermaid resin shed. I brought home info. sheets on all sheds that we were looking at... DH spent some time reading all the info... we liked the double wall construction and the little recessed spots for shelves... we think we can make use of those for mounting perches... and after getting a closer look at it, it already has ventilation.

I only really need one door so we will permanently close the other door... put a window in it and use it to mount one end of several perches on that end... two more windows on two other walls... and, of course, a drop door for the girls to come and go.

I can't tell you how excited I am to be starting on this! I will start a new thread w/pics when we get going on this.

And thanks for all the input.

 

[rocky41102]

We decided on the rubbermaid one too. We're hoping to have it up and going by this weekend if the weather holds out and we can get the run put in and everything. I'd love to see your pics as you go along!! What type of bedding are you going to use in it?

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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Great! I'm kinda glad you are going ahead of me so I can see what you are doing!

Bedding, as in nesting boxes?... I'm thinking wood shavings. Otherwise, sand on the floor both in the coop & run... if you haven't been following the sand thread, check it out... sounds good.

Start a new thread w/LOTS of pics... I'll be following right along!

Is your Rubbermaid the 7x7 one? My main concern with it is the ventilation question... not enought... too much?

How many birds are you housing in it?

Great luck (better that good luck) with this project!

 

[rocky41102]

We do have the 7' x 7' one to use. We actually bought it for storage because we got it for a super good price. We're getting a new one to use as storage but we're going to convert this one since it's already assembled. I am adding ventilation because I don't think there's enough for us. I was thinking of cutting in 1 or 2 windows on two sides and changing the door windows to screens. Ours is along a wood line so on the third side we'll probably add a longer but narrower window. I am also going to try and put a second level over a small part of it because I have it like that in our brooder and some of them like to hang out on the second level sometimes. Also adding lots of roosts with branches from outside.

I am actually having less room per bird than the 4 sq ft that is generally recommended but our run will be huge and they will free range some. But right now there will be 10 standard sized (4 EE's, 2 Tetra Tints, 2 Welsummers and 2 Buff Orpingtons (welsummers and orps are younger so they won't move out for a little longer) and 10 bantams (2 sebrights, 2 polish, 2 OEBG, 2 Brahmas, and 2 D'uccles). I will be getting rid of some of them once I figure out personalities and roosters and stuff. So probably around 10 or 12 full size and 6 or 8 ish bantams in the end (give or take a few).

I will be sure to add pictures!

 

[aggie9296]

I agree with the resin. I have the Arrow 10x10 metal shed. As an uninsulated shed, not a coop. Gets hot as HADES!! Luckily my lawnmower does not complain about the heat.

And if you have never put one together, it has about 10 million screws.

Our local Sams has a REALLY nice resin shed. Would need more ventilation, but if I ever upgrade, and have a thousand $$ to spare...

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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Looking forward to seeing what all you do !

Break an egg !

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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Sam's... hadn't thought of looking there! I'll check it out tomorrow. Will probably purchase the Rubbermaid this weekend.

 

[Celtic Chick]

mmaddie's mom :

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Sam's... hadn't thought of looking there! I'll check it out tomorrow. Will probably purchase the Rubbermaid this weekend.

Look on my BYC page. I have a resin shed from Home Depot. We love it! Very easy to clean out. We line it with pine shavings. I think ours is 7' x 7', and we currently have 8 chickens in it, and will be adding 4 more soon.

I'll have to find some pics of the inside of it. My hubby made 2 nest boxes & have them hanging on the walls. The shed came with hangers to hang shelves with, but we used them for the boxes & the roost. The shed also has skylights, which really keep it bright in there despite the lights being pretty small.
Here is mine:
http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Or...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
I love this one, but it is expensive, and bigger:
http://www.homedepot.com/Storage-Or...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
They didn't have this one when we bought ours.

 

[mmaddie's mom]

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I would love to see what you did on the inside!

 

[mmaddie's mom]

@ Celtic Druid... That 2nd one is really cool... but the first one is more in my price range.

Thanks for the info.