Simple, least amount of tools necessary coop and run plans? Or a local coop company in North Texas?

[Backyardigan24]

We have 4 chickens, and I would like to build a coop and run that could hold 12.

Here’s the catch: I’m not very handy and don’t have any saws. I have basic tools (drill, hammer etc.) and basic knowledge. My son really wants to be a part and help build it which is why I’m not looking for an already built option.

Can someone recommend basic enough plans that would require little to no cutting? I can probably find a friend with a circular saw and maybe jigsaw. And maybe Home Depot can help cut lol. Or is there a company in North Texas that would sell me a “kit” (material with all cuts made, plan and instructions) so that we could still do it as a family project?

 

[StinkyAcres]

How about a cattle panel hoop coop?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/

 

[paintedChix]

O!! Rubbing hands with glee, ROFLMBO!!

Grab a cuppa' whatever you like & share w/ your son!! This is LOOONNNGGG!

SOOOO many ideas!! I love open air style coops because you can "get away" with so little standard cut wood parts (as little as just the roost bars, FOR REAL).

So many ideas in the Articles, under Coops - small, medium & large.

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Some of these require wood & fitted cuts. If you follow Blooie' idea, no wood. More on that later.

NC Open air coop (3killerBs- NC) https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/large-open-air-coop-in-central-nc.1443812

Hot weather climate - 3KillerBs - NC
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Blooie's explanation (not her article) -
Post in thread 'Easy and Inexpensive Run & Coop Ideas?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/easy-and-inexpensive-run-coop-ideas.1118403/post-17235149

Blooie's Post in thread 'Hoop Coop Pros and Cons' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/hoop-coop-pros-and-cons.1154750/post-18106632

'Mo's Cattle Panel Hoop Coops' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mos-cattle-panel-hoop-coops.73385/

Thread 'Dog kennel coop- how to make door area predator proof?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-how-to-make-door-area-predator-proof.590043/

Permanent Hoop Coop - (Chookaholic, NC)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

Ms Biddy's CP Hoop Coop - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/ms-biddys-cattle-panel-hoop-coop.73755/

Eggbert420's hoop coop - Thread '$200 chicken coop/tractor' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/200-chicken-coop-tractor.1154855/


Cotton River Farms - hoop coop -

Camp Cockerel (3killerBs- NC)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/camp-cockerel.77789/

Motel Chicks (Blooie- WY)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/motel-chix.67240/

Thread 'Modified Hoop Coop Design Development' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/modified-hoop-coop-design-development.1120946/

Texas open air
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/

Pyxis's Hoop Coop (Pyxis - VT)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pyxis-hoop-coop.66037/

Old trampoline (13yardbirds)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/what-should-i-do-with-that-old-trampoline.67122/

Plastic Shed (huppy1380)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/plastic-shed-chicken-coop.67752/

Fort Ski - Louisiana coop (ragfrey - LA)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/fort-ski-southeast-louisiana-chicken-coop-run.78813/

3 Bs Chicken Shack (blwells45 - upstate NY)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/3-bs-chicken-shack-1-2.67067/

Armorfirelady's Fire Chickens Hoop Coop' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/armorfireladys-fire-chickens-hoop-coop.65158/

The Biddie Bordello - A Hoop Coop/Run Combo' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/

Dutch Hollow Hoop Coop' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/dutch-hollow-hoop-coop.65223/

BobDBirdDogs Coop' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/bobdbirddogs-coop.66784/

Coop - made from truck topper - https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ckens-made-with-sweat-and-tears-of-joy.67969/

Post in thread 'fuzzi's Chicken Journal' https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-26575193

Storybrook Farm - small hoop coops
https://www.storybookfarmwv.com/product/coop-plans/
https://www.storybookfarmwv.com/farm/family-coops-in-winter/
---------
TRACTORS

Aart's Hoop Coop (SW MI)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-hoop-coop-chicken-tractor.72211/

Hen Hideout (Covertchickenops - VA)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hen-hideout.63882/

Hoop Tractor (dhetzel - Pottstown, PA)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/

Article 'Egg Shaped Hoop Coop' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-shaped-hoop-coop.63890/

Seasonal Pasture Tractor (Mandelyn, Mt Repose, OH)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/seasonal-pasture-tractor-head-height-9x6.74144/

North Central Urban OH Chix (rick677 - Norwalk, OH)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/north-central-ohio-urban-chix.63953/

Chicken Mobil Stagecoach - (DukeOfOrpington, Knoxville, TN)
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-chicken-mobile-stagecoach.65992/

http://www.pvcplans.com/pvc-pastured-poultry-pen.htm

http://chick-a-doodles.blogspot.com/p/chicken-tractors.html

'Geek2nurses Diy Coop Run' https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/geek2nurses-diy-coop-run.48204/

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Your biggest expense, IMO, is going to be HWC. And it is the most time consuming to apply. You can use plastic zip ties (most likely to break w/ sun exposure & predators pushing/pulling/biting), metal zip ties (require tightening/cutting tool, reasonable cost, Amazon), hog rings (require application tool, research & get higher quality one - much less frustrating. TSc, Farm/Ag stores, Amazon) or even just wire to wrap around posts or weave through squares when overlapping & "stitching" together parts. Electric wire comes on spools & works well. Different gages - smaller # is thicker & heavier. A 12 gage is considered Hi-tensile livestock wire - yes, heavier/heaviest but difficult to work with with hands, requires special tools to attach/cut & requires tool for tightening. Not recommended for this application. A 19 gage is extremely light & can break easily, so something in between 12 & 19 gage... Do not forget, you'll want to do a predator apron around your coop & run.

Dog kennels work well. They range from chain link to various weights & widths of welded wire. You can get them new, used & sometimes free (i have done all 3). Its easy to build in separate areas or widen/lengthen both the coop or the run portions. On chain link, I've seen a wall/sun block created by weaving the chain link specific "staves" through it (i can't remember the names). On welded wire, I've seen metal flashing woven in strips to create walls. I am sad... I can't find that YouTube video, I will work on it... many ways to do walls, some would be wood.

Roofs - can purchase PVC or aluminum pipe to build out roof. Could be included w/ kennels - for chickens i both recommend more supports & HWC or 2x4" wire under any type roof. Can do a hooped CP. Can use tarps or used billboard vinyl (many colors, not limited to blue). I've seen just shade cloth, trampoline jump portion & the vinyl (s) recycled from above & below ground pools & pond liners. Also a framed out wood & shingles roof - may need to do extra support posts along w/ framing - reqires fitting cuts on wood.

Hooping CP panels - a general tractor type is 8x4 (1 panel), 8x8 (2 panels) or 8x12 (3 panels). These are built on wood frame skids. They can be built onto to lengthen run & can be made permanent. I LOVE Blooie's idea, pics below. 8x4 = 32÷4 is approx 8 birds in a coop section. I can tell you that is WAY too small for 8 mature LF birds (pic of mine further below). The math for run section is based on 10' ft/bird if stationary.

If do not want to frame out in wood, again a dog kennel front works. This is what I'm using - purchased in 2021 using TSC gift cards and stored since i didn't get it done yet. They will be joined so that door is just off center. You could build your own 10' panel w/ a completely centered gate - all parts are at Lowes & Home Depot (other hardware stores?). Or have someone else build it.



You can make it wider (10') by raising each side 2'. Can be done w/ wood or PVC frame, cinder blocks or more CP.

Can build a pallet coop & run. Again, many different ways to do this. There are wood (free to minimal $$) & plastic pallets (more $$). Here i show some "sheds". They aren't wired for chickens. All 3 were meant to be temporary - the 1st 3 pics were put up in November 2014 & taken down the end of January 2015. All are on relatively flat ground & tied together w/ haystring - including the hooped CP & tarp roofs. The "boys" shed hasn't had a tarped roof since 2020 or 2021 & currently has some scrub trees growing through it...




Pics of CP & pallet. I used 1 CP wired w/ 2x4" wire. Our granddaughters helped do all the zipties. This wire was attached while panels on the ground, then it was hooped w/ wire on the inside of the coop - keeps birds in, most predators out & less chance of tearing up tarps.



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Now these 2 coops will be getting refurbished before the end of April. Why? Because the used/repurposed pallets have disintegrated past repair. I never built a run (free ranged but lost 2 flocks to either a coyote or domestic dogs) & I have chicks on the way... The 1 CP will be going to 2 - as a coop. Since i will be raising the sides 2' feet, the hoop will be spread to 10'. The coop portion will become 10' wide by approx 8' deep (100" - i don't overlap them). The hoops will be attached to t-posts. To start with, I may do back same as front, but have sourced plastic pallets somewhat locally. Lowest price, furthest away (1-1/2 to 2 hrs) & damaged $3/ea. Highest price, also some damaged, 17 miles away - $20/pallet...

Since i will be raising the ends of the CP approx 2' on both sides, I will be using another CP. I have a lot of CP available - used to build individual pony pastures, paddocks & training areas when we were breeding Shetland ponies. We currently have no ponies. So a 16 ' CP cut in 1/2 length wise will yield a piece 16' long by about 25" high. It will extend to be the 1st section of the run. It will be wired w/ 1/2" HWC. The other side of the coop & run are utilizing t-posts & goat field fence - the pony pasture. Will be adding 1/2" HWC. I have this so out of wack. I will need to remember to let you know as I build...

I'm currently cleaning up the chick brooding area out our back door, under the carport. 1st 20 chicks ship 3/11. 2nd set of 25 chicks ship 3/18. Then another set of 20 on 4/15... Hopefully that's enough BBS Ameraucana, Bresse & Delaware to cull down to winter flocks for hatching my own.

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I'm posting this now, so I don't accidentally delete it. Backyardigan24, I hope you don't mind that I "stole" your thread to tell you my plans. Hope I've given you some ideas.

Happy building w/ your son. Looking forward to hearing what you build & what chicks you get...

 

[paintedChix]

HA! I found the video using flashing. Took a while. I do not remember all the building of fence at the beginning - just the gate & flashing part...

I could see doing this on dog kennel fencing or even on my field fencing. I do not have a table saw like that with blades for cutting through the material. Might see if flashing comes in a smaller size?

He is also in TX.

You also asked about a company in TX that builds coops.

https://www.txchickencoops.com/product/cluck-cluck-cabana/

https://www.lonestarstructures.com/chicken-tractors?srsltid=AfmBOoreNX8NAKkUpjnjZ1awg
D3-0A6ZZPotf2zbYklQiyQuCqltd1Lw

http://www.ranch-coop.com/reservation.html

 

[MROO]

We have 4 chickens, and I would like to build a coop and run that could hold 12.

Here’s the catch: I’m not very handy and don’t have any saws. I have basic tools (drill, hammer etc.) and basic knowledge. My son really wants to be a part and help build it which is why I’m not looking for an already built option.

Can someone recommend basic enough plans that would require little to no cutting? I can probably find a friend with a circular saw and maybe jigsaw. And maybe Home Depot can help cut lol. Or is there a company in North Texas that would sell me a “kit” (material with all cuts made, plan and instructions) so that we could still do it as a family project?

Pick up a playhouse kit and convert it as you go. The box will list any tools you'll need - and everything is pre-cut. You could even get a free or almost-free outgrown playhouse just for the trouble of moving it - and still have enough "building" to satisfy your little guy!

 

[Penpal]

The lumber yard can cut everything to your specs. They may even have plans available that they will make a kit from. Just ask.