Small, Economic, Attractive Coop- is it impossible?

[maralynn28]

My hubby just built one (we're military too). He's putting some finishing touches on it now, and I will post pics. He basically used 4 (4X4) posts, cut some notches in it for the floor. Then cut 3 pieces of plywood (on sale at Lowes/Home Depot because they were a little warped) for 4 walls and a thicker roof and floor. Then some thinner wood to use as trim and make it purty.

He's no master carpenter, but he IS handy. I'm sure I could have put it all together myself, the part I needed him for was to cut the wood.
For the run (hasn't been built yet) we are using pvc pipe as the frame and then zip tie plastic poultry netting (roll for 10$) to the frame. I believe there was a run on this website that gave me the idea, but they used a play house for the coop.
Good Luck!


edited to add: the size of the coop we made is 3'wx 4'l or (12 sqft) and 3' high with an 18" raise off the floor so the ducks can graze under it too.

 

[nancypo]

I would add, that yes, "culled" wood, at home improvement stores, is always MUCH cheaper for these kind of projects. A little warping, bent, but for a chicken coop, most would work. Some people even use palletts, free, for building...

 

[fisharescary]

Quote:
I hadn't seen this 'culled' wood at the big places, but I did see a discount lumber place yesterday, I'll see what they have there.

 

[Keri78]

Not quite sure what you have in mind as far as ducks go I'm clueless..but these type of coops have worked awesome for my chickens! If you add T11 and some paint to anything...it will look great! Also think about using hardwarecloth rather than chicken wire...it gives a neater appearance! Blessings, Keri

For the chickens I toss in some fresh hay or straw in the run part to keep the ground higher and drier and also keeps them cleaner. I use shavings in the "nesting box" part. After about a month...they have churned the hay/staw into the ground and then I just toss in fresh again. I've been doing the for about 1 yr. now and LOVE it...I never have to clean the run and in the "nest box" I lined the floor with stick tiles so the shavings come right out when they need to be changed! EASY! I would recommend having a "roofed" run with a walk in door...I like that last coop the BEST! It keeps the run drier and GREAT for the winter weather and provides shade from the summer heat!

Anywho..I'm sure you could spruff these up a bit like I said with some T11 & paint and then they would be "stylish"!!!

 

[nancypo]

Culled wood, is just slightly damaged wood, usually in bins or on a cart, you can ask around at your local store...

 

[fisharescary]

Quote:
what is T11?

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

I have three ducks. They use just a large plastic dog house. Something
like that will be fine in the winter for your location. When it is warm here
they stay out in their run area all the time anyway.

I planted a rose of sharon bush in their run and protected it till it got larger size for shade in the summer.
That way you can dismantle it, wash it off and move with you because it is light enough to move around.
South Carolina is notorious for cheap used dog kennels too. If you don't want to move that then sell it
again. Just get some wire to run over the top to keep hawks out.

If you want to make chanlink look more presentable there are instructions online on how to
paint it with a roller and an oil based paint. Some dark color makes fencing almost invisible from
a distance and makes seeing the birds easier. I'm going to do some of my panels in black.