shed coop conversion almost done

[deepbluesea]

My contractor slid in during the 36 hours we didn't have rain and converted the back of my shed into an open-air coop. He did a great job, very happy with it and him. He buried hwc one foot down and attached it to a 2x4 in the trench on both sides and the front. And he sank in a board in front of the pop door.

The only thing lacking is an overhang in front, but that would have put it out of my price range. I'll have to figure out something. It's pretty sheltered but in case of windy storms and such. Ideas?

Now to make a couple of ramps, put up the nest boxes, build a roost ladder and get the DLM started. I bought a battery powered light for now. And I need to close off the loft area so I can put stuff up there. So, not exactly almost done, but the part that I needed help with is finished. Goal is to get everyone moved in one night this week. Wooot!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Nice job!

 

[nminusyplusm]

Looks a great take on a Woods-ish style coop! Depending on how deep it is (seems like the roosts are way at the back which is perfect) it doesn't look like you need to worry about an overhang.

 

[deepbluesea]

Thanks! Yes, the roosts are going to be all the way back where the two walls meet. It's 12' by 22'. I have a couple of cattle panels to start a run, but in general they're out in the fenced in yard all day anyway. My neglectful yard maintenance is actually ideal chicken habitat.

 

[Folly's place]

Nice! Consider screwing in 1"x4" boards to the framing over the hardware cloth, for more security. And make sure that the door can't be pulled out at the bottom; if it can, add another latch lower down.
Mary

 

[deepbluesea]

Nice! Consider screwing in 1"x4" boards to the framing over the hardware cloth, for more security. And make sure that the door can't be pulled out at the bottom; if it can, add another latch lower down.
Mary

Those are good ideas-thanks!

 

[deepbluesea]

Ok, ack! The newbs (7 weeks old) are in the new coop. I looked and looked and can't see a predator opening. Gawd I hope I'm right. I'm going out one more time, but I don't think my most dire threats will deter whatever is around ( raccoon, opossum, maybe fox, rat) if my boy Andy messed up the build. I'm not moving my bigs in tonight. Saving that for the weekend when I can stay up late. Nervous over here.

 

[Folly's place]

Waiting for updates...
Mary

 

[deepbluesea]

It went great! They went to the darkest corner and then pile roosted on each other. This morning they were down by the door, impatiently waiting for me to let them out. Whew!

In other news, I built the roost ladder way too big. It looks silly, but I'm going to use it for now. I'll take pix tonight.

 

[aart]

Looks a great take on a Woods-ish style coop! Depending on how deep it is (seems like the roosts are way at the back which is perfect) it doesn't look like you need to worry about an overhang.

Nah, the whole side is mesh as well as the front.
Hopefully a good roof overhand on that side.

It's nice!
How many birds are going to live in there?