sn0wwhite's Wichita Coop for the Twin Cities

[chickiegrrl]

I got locked in our coop after we first put the latch in, too. Now I just have one of those string lanyards with the little hook on it attached to the latch and fed through the screen. Then I put a washer on the end of the lanyard and tied a knot in it. I new my husband would try to be cute and pull the lanyard through the fence screen when I was locked in. Also, you can open the latch and put your carbiner in the lower hole to hold the latch open, then you can't get locked in!

 

[TheGeekySheep]

I did precisely the same thing when I finished building my coop. I had installed the gate latch, tested it, and then gone to go get the chicks to put them in there. I stepped in after them to set up their waterer and the door closed behind me, click!, and my stomach sank because I knew I was stuck and it had never even occurred to me that I couldn't open the door from the other side.

Luckily I had a twist tie in my pocket I fashioned into a hook to pull the latch up, so I didn't have to tear out my freshly-installed chicken wire to get out.

So lesson learned: if you use a gate latch on your walk-in coop, don't even set foot in it without first attaching a string or latch cable to it!

Also since I'm in here: sn0wwhite your coop is really coming along, it looks great. Love all the pictures.

 

[aart]

I got locked in our coop after we first put the latch in, too. Now I just have one of those string lanyards with the little hook on it attached to the latch and fed through the screen. Then I put a washer on the end of the lanyard and tied a knot in it. I new my husband would try to be cute and pull the lanyard through the fence screen when I was locked in. Also, you can open the latch and put your carbiner in the lower hole to hold the latch open, then you can't get locked in!

THERE ya Go!!! Great Idea!

Course then you'd probably need a door spring or another simple latch inside to keep the door closed unless you want the chooks out.

 

[chickiegrrl]

THERE ya Go!!! Great Idea!

Course then you'd probably need a door spring or another simple latch inside to keep the door closed unless you want the chooks out.

We put a spring attached to the door and frame of the coop with eye screws. Then, to keep it open when we *want* it open, we attached a hook and eye behind the door and to the coop frame to keep it open. Most complicated door opening/closing system EVER!!

 

[sn0wwhite]

Oh wow, that's funny to read that several people have encountered the same thing with those latches! I think using the carabiner to hold the lock open is a good idea, and I needed to do something with that carabiner after I take it off anyway!

Didn't get to take any pictures tonight because as I was putting the metal roof on it was starting to lightening! So, I got the OSB (shiny painted side down, Walt) screwed on well and then the metal pieces sort of tacked on with about 5 screws each. I think unless we get high winds (which we shouldn't) it should be fine and when the rain stops on Sunday I can add more. The trapezoid design didn't make it easy so I'll be using a chalk line then too to help.

But the chickens are safe and dry in their new coop and they seem really happy!

Daughter suggested that I etch the window glass so maybe that's what I'll work on for the next 3 rain days.
So, does anyone have a good 2D chicken picture I could etch on glass? Outlines and simple images work best...

 

[sn0wwhite]

Another question...
I have 1 extra sheet of blue metal roofing. Should I return it or use it somewhere on this coop?

 

[aart]

I'd hang on to the extra roofing...ya never know. But I'm a bit of a hoarder/salvager...built a lot of my coop with materials I had saved, some for years.
If you don't have storage, or just don't want to stash it, and you can return it, why not do so?

google image search 'chicken jpg'...or you could search 'chicken clip art'

 

[JanetS]

Sn0wwhite, it looks great!!!

This is the lock we used on our coop and run doors.

 

[Sam3 Abq]

Great job ! We are planning our 1st flock here in Albuquerque for spring of 2014 and are basing ours, like you, on the WC. We'll be following the plan pretty closely, again, like you, changing the colors a bit. Loved reading (and will be going back to re-read) all your questions on process (+ great responses from all who offered). Although i'm an Architect Supervisor for the Fed. Gov't (and on furlough - weeding through BYC for research day/night) building a simple chicken coop has me apprehensive. I've designed and built custom homes and done a lot of commercial work, but still ....
Look forward to hearing about your final push to get all details completed. Thanks for sharing . Sam

 

[jbher]

I have really enjoyed following this thread! I am also in the twin cities (though across the border in Hudson). We are in the midst of passing a new chicken ordinance so come spring, chickens will be allowed - yay! I am just now starting to sketch out ideas for a coop. I plan to mainly build mine myself as well - though I'm sure my husband will try and take over when he is around ha!

Thanks for sharing all the great details and pictures!