Show me your coop... PLEASE

[Rhey]

Okay, so here's the deal.... I'm a little ADD... start a project, then get excited about something else... start that... repeat! You get the picture. So anyway, my DH is insisting on finishing this coop before i start anything else. Here's the problem..
I SEE ALL THESE WONDERFUL COOPS ON HERE... but it seems as if most of you all are on acreage . If u have a small SUBURBAN coop.. please show me your pics.
ANY AND ALL help is greatly appreciated.

Signed,
Too Many Works in progress... {LOL}

PS> the space i have designated for my coop AND run is my side yard which is approx 6ft by 10 ft...

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

This is the area we started our very first coop. About the same size you are thinking about. This was for 5 hens.







Then chicken math set in:

This holds my 14 girls and then some if I decide to get a few more.
I found I rather have a walk in coop rather then stepping up and down out of the other for ease of cleaning.





the run


knocked down a wall and sold the first coop
added a "nursery" for our broody and new chicks

 

[jackhorn01]

My suggestion to you with such a limited amount of space is to do what I did. I don't have limited space but I did have limited budget and this solves both problems. Don't build a seperate run / coop, make it all in one. I used an old tin garage that was on my property. The front entrance was open with the other three walls in tact. I framed the open end and put hardware cloth over it. If I were you I would build a structure similar to a storage building with one open side ( one of the smaller ends ) and close it off with hardware cloth. Put your nest boxes and roost inside somewhere just as you would in a coop. This method will maximize the space you have to work with and with the one open end you will get the ventilation and light inside without having to worry about letting them out all the time. Note.. Use hardware cloth for the open end not poultry netting since they won't be closed up inside a box at night. The hardware cloth is stronger and will keep dogs and coons etc.. out .

 

[ll]

I have a coop without acreage - photos on my pages, clickable links below

good luck

 

[Rhey]

YES! THATS CUTE! That's more of what i was looking for ..... NOW YOUR LARGER EXPANSION...

and Thanks for taking the time to reply!

 

[HouseMouseHens]

I'm still working on my coop, but there are pictures of the progress in my siggy. We have a regular city lot here in Portland, so no acreage. It's 8x8 and will have a 10x14 foot run, so much larger than yours, but I wanted to reply anyways since we're in the city. We've used all recycled materials and have only spent about $100 so far on it.

Here is my post about it f you're interested:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...icture-heavy-and-more-to-come/10#post_9500938

 

[Mama Hen Chris]

I agree with hardware cloth. We used chicken wire and when I became a BYC member, that is when I learned about hardware cloth. We use 1" x 2" as we have no predators but I rather be safe than sorry.

 

[jackhorn01]

Always.. You could almost blow on the poultry netting and tear it.

 

[OldGuy43]

Once again, it depends on where you are. If you live in a mild climate as we do this is more than you need.



The little white lean-to structure is three sided and the top is hinged. It's about 4' x 4' and is big enough for a dozen hens. Throw some bedding in it and they're happy.

 

[wsmoak]

We built one based on Heritage Ways Farm's design, with some modifications. Look for the 6x10 coop here: http://www.facebook.com/Heritage.Ways.Farm .

It's a box within a box -- the upper 'coop' is 4x6 with perches and nest boxes, then the bottom area is 6x10 open to the ground. They go up in the top at night and during the day I open the outer door so they can free range. (Actually that coop is inside some electric netting to keep that flock separate from the older laying flock.

We had trouble with the wheels, there's so much weight on the back that the "axles" want to bend. We're about to re-do it with the wheels on a pivot, so it will sit flat on the ground when it's not being moved. That's better for the wood frame anyway.

We also built this one before we got the Kreg jig -- fabulous little thing that makes pocket holes for much stronger butt joints. A true woodworker will sniff, but it beats trying to screw through the edge of one piece of wood into the end of another.

Have fun with your project!

-Wendy