Square, level and plumb? Not... quite * (PICTURES now on pg.2)*

[PeepsBMobbin]

Those ugly coops are pretty funny.

OK, so how do I cover the corners where the plywood didn't line up?

ALSO, I made double doors that are the almost the whole width of the coop and I can't figure out a real secure way to keep it closed now!

Let me go take some pictures and I will show you what I mean.

 

[PeepsBMobbin]

OK, so here goes.

Here is around the coop:

The unpainted part is where I will cut out and install the nest boxes when we get to that part.

The pop door needs some kind of latch to keep it up, or something, and it never got painted.

Here you can see how the whole side opens up so I can rake out the shavings when I need to clean the coop.

Here is one of my bright ideas that I love, see the quarter round garden brick at the pop door. Works great to keep the shavings in the coop.

Here is the corner I need to cover so that the edges of that particle board won't soak up the weather.

Here is the "King" of this castle.

So, see how I need to figure out a secure way to keep those double doors closed since there is no post there in the middle....

Any ideas?

 

[aggie9296]

doesn't look too bad! actually, lookds pretty nice. a couple of trim pieces made from whatever wood you have should cover the edges. of course, lots of paint will seal the edges pretty well. metal flashing, vinyl siding outside corners, etc could also be used.

as far as the doors, could do barrel latches on each door at the top. Maybe a couple of gate latches on the bottom, but one with a 90 degree bend to reach underneath.

 

[aggie9296]

something like these. might need each door at top and bottom to help keep it from warping.

 

[PeepsBMobbin]

You know, I tried one of those barrel locks from door to door at the top, but it didn't hold the weight of the door and it would open by itself. Now I didn't think of using it on the top of the doors, and having two. That might work.

 

[gryeyes]

Quarter or half round concrete edging!! INSPIRED! I am gonna steal that idea!!! THANK YOU!

My first coop was and is .... interesting. First, I didn't know there was anything other than 3/4 inch plywood, so I built the whole tractor out of it. And all framing boards were 2x4s. The thing is HEAVY - it cannot ever be used as a movable tractor, despite the handles at both ends. What a laugh! There are places where the plywood doesn't meet, too. But a whole lotta primer and paint fixes that problem. I built a pop-out box to hold a Bistro waterer and I can't get the thing OUT of that box, I built it so closely around it. Sure, I can open the lid of the pop-out and work to get the bottle out to refill it, but I cannot get the base out to CLEAN that part. So... it's just there. I use a regular waterer, instead. The birds who do visit that coop (it's a favorite for laying eggs) have filled the base of the Bistro waterer with poop. <*sigh*>

The chickens don't care.

 

[stargazingmommy]

On the edges of mine where it didn't line up cuz I don't believe in measuring, I used that spray foam insulation stuff, think its called great stuff. Tomorrow after its all dried I will be trimming it in any spot the chickens will be able to reach, like inside.

 

[PeepsBMobbin]

I love seeing these "real" coops. It is so easy to get caught up in, wow, if only I could build something like this, or that. I am pretty happy with what we have. I have more of those shutters for free so I would like to add a window maybe to the big doors. Then I could see in before I swing them open. I never never know who is going to be standing there when I change their water.

 

[gnatboy911]

Shoot that thing looks pretty good. My coop is an old rickety metal shed that I build some nest boxes for, and put up a run next to it. the doors are kinda falling off but it works. I wish i had a raised coop....but, for a first timer i'm ok with this.

here are a couple pictures of my coop....not the best pictures, but its all I have right now.