Suddenly single w/4 kids, 22 3 wk old chx,&no building skillz-links pl

[TNkidsnextdoor]

I am pretty new to this site, so I am not sure how to navigate it well. Tried searching, but overwhelmed right now. Please forgive this newbie!

But he was supposed to build the coop, but he decided to fly it instead (lol) andI have never built a thing in my life! I have done a lot of research into all these features I wanted, bc he's a tradesman and i knew I could get it, but now I just have to be able to throw something together fast, bc these birds are in my living room.

I have tons of plywood. I have his drill still here for now if I can figure out how to use it. I can get a saw. Can I bring 2x4s home in my minivan on the floor with the backdoor open?

I have way wasted my time researching the ultimate cutie coop, but I am in need of something an idiot could build.

If you have any links to your site that mite have pix of easy must have features, or any ideas on how to make something simply, or any ideas as to how I can keep these birds in my lr for longer (he said to clip their wings?

Thanks so much for even the tiniest pointer you can give me. My mind is in a swirl, and if you can even give me an idea as to something I can do, it will give me a start.

TIA!!

 

[speckledhen]

What part of TN do you live in, or do you? I sort of thought your screen name meant that. Sorry about the guy's vanishing act. If you were close enough, my DH would come help you get one together. Could you have a building delivered and just add things like pop doors?

 

[Hottchick]

There are a lot of pre-made coops for sale. Have you thought of trying to look on Craigslist for someone that builds coops? Some people sell coops that are already built or will build them for you.

If I was you, I would hate to even consider trying to build a coop at this point.

I'm really sorry!

 

[Ema]

well Tia, you could always see if you got some older teenager boys or a neighbour near by who can lend you a hand. I know you have your hands full with your kids and it cannot be easy having all these birds in your livingroom.

If all you can do is provide them with a temp shelter with a roof, 4 walls and something like a 2x4 to roost on and some nesting boxes then they will be fine until you can get things more together and plan it all out.

my dh was gone all last summer and fall and I had to ask the neighbour down the road for some help because during a wind storm we had sustained some damage to the covered run. Its worth a shot to try with a neighbour or some friends.

by the way

Ema

 

[lady feathers]

Let me start forst by saying you can do it! If the kids are old enough to help great... if not maybe you can get a firend or family member to come over and help with at least the frame makes it easier when someone can hold 2x4's up for you. (If you can't get help attach as much together on the ground as you can first and then p/u the walls and attach them together, much harder to hammer or use a screw gun one handed- also if y ou are small like me it's easier to keep boards from moving against your hammering by standing on them

). And yes you should be able to fit them in the van. The major lumberyards should also assist you loading the wood and with securing the load/tiying it together if you ask them.

Fisrt things first you need to know space requirements for bantams and standards (not sure which you have). Assuming you have 22 standard size birds.... a 12x8 coop would provide you with 4 sq ft of space per bird. Doesn't have to be those dimensions but keep in mind your plywood sheets are generally 4 x 8 .... and your 2x4's for framing come in 8ft 10ft 12ft, etc... you probably aren't gonna want to go over 8 ft really though if you have to use a van to haul home. The simplest roof for a newbie (in my opinion) is a slanted one easy to do if you make the front of your coop taller than the back. And you can use the top boards of your frame to attach more 2x4's so you have something to nail your roof into. If you want to add windows, etc.. all you do is cut boards to fit inbetween the wall studs.... nailing them in from the outside is easiest for a beginner rather than trying to angle them (trust me). Don't get too fancy with outside nest boxes unless you are comfortable with the idea (I made that mistake-wasted a ton of time because I had never done anything like cut-out in the walls before and took me a while to figure it out). Much simpler for the novice to build the boxes and then just attach them to the wall studs inside the coop. Not sure about your weather but roosts are simple enough... I used 2x4's but I live in Michigan and our chickens have to keep their toes warm, but you could probably get away with 2x2's or pick up a round dowel, or just find yourself some nice large branhes/natural roosting places too! Worried about ventilation you can easily use attic vents very simple and you can change to something fancier later.... and could consider getting/throwing together a frame and creating a screen door out of hardware cloth (for critter keep out) and a couple of hinges.

Good luck, building a coop by yourself can be an overwhelming task... I know! Mine was small though (hehehe). But, when you are finished, yes you will undoubtedly see every last flaw possible (hopefully no one else will notice-don't point them out) but you will also undoubtedly be incredibly satisfied with yourself and your new found carpentry skills. And be filled with pride at you "make-shift" coop... I always describe mine as "not bad for my FIRST coop", it will be re-done eventually.

I must also warn you though building coops is like getting chickens in the first place once you have made one the ideas for more, bigger, and better will start flowing!!! Have fun!

 

[TNkidsnextdoor]

Thanks for all the advice. I am in upper east TN, the nearest big town is Johnson City.

I did put up ads on craigslist, and also on freecycle hoping someone might email me with a sell offer (illegal I know, but I'm desparate!) I didnt mention in them that I am a single woman tho, bc it freaks me out a little about locals on those sites knowing so.

I drove around looking at prebuilt coops today, the cheapest one I found, other than one for 3 chickens for $300, was $900!

I forgot to mention that these are 4h chickens, so the first week of August we give back 10, which would leave us with a dozen. Iwas operating on the assumption taht I woud build space for all, but maybe since it is a short time, I can just build for the 12?

I could do a shed, I found a metal one for less than $300 that would fit them, if those can be modified, but the wood ones were way out of my price range.

I texted him that if he wasn't going to build me at least a frame, then I was going to use his second vehicle, a jeep, that he left sitting my driveway as a coop, so maybe that will work?

Good idea asking about teens. My only fam here is my sis, who is a single mom thru special needs adoption, so good for painting help, but not the bulding part. I might ask around at church tomorrow, the only thing is, that it is a really small church, and I have only been three times! My last church that I was at forever no longer welcomes us, as I guess they saw this coming before me.

Am I being unreasonable about costs? I have tons of plywood and some 2x4s, and also 2 windows and a door, all salvaged, but should I just expect it to cost $1000? I know over time and with the fresh eggs for baby, which was the point, that it would pay off, but I am not sure I can handle all that. I am looking at full time daycare costs and 3 afterschool care on a gov't social workers salary.

I am so glad you said that about the nest boxes! That is the only steady in my designs I keep drawing. I thought it would be easier to have them on the outside bc that is all I have been looking at. But I have some crates and things I could put inside a large box-design, and I can get attic vents much easier than I can figure out how to mount windows in a hurry.


Thanks guys. I was really getting overwhelmed with all the striving for perfection coops (which have their place! and are awesome!), and was thinking maybe I just couldn"t do it. But I can build a frame maybe, and I know I can figure out how to drill plywood to it, and I can find SOMEONE to help me put in a vent. I can set boxes inside for nesting, and I can do a slanting roof!

Right? I can do it? Because this is hard enough without explaining to the kids why their chickens died, too!

But at the very least, as previous poster said, we can be proud of Our (me and my babies') First Coop, and go from there.

Oh, and it is 22 sex links, but only 12 after Aug 6-8.

 

[Ema]

I made my coop and run from recycled materials, I brought pallets home and used the 2x4's I had laying around to place in between the pallets and screw in place for supports. once all four sides were up I placed roofing tin I had laying about or found at the dump on the outside to prevent any predators from entering. I also used chicken wire. I used 2x4's inside the coop screwed and supported with angle braces against the wall to provide them with roosts. Look at my personal page you will see its nothing special but it works and it turned out rather nice for little money, Though this spring we are building a new coop now that we have some more money. My hens are happy and healthy, and have access to the outside even in winter at all times. In the spring and summer I open the gate and let them free range

 

[gryeyes]

I built my first coop when I was 56 and my second coop when I was 57. No former carpentry skills whatsoever, but the first coop gave me the confidence to build a bigger and better one. I now own my own circular saw, a jigsaw, a cordless power drill, and even two sawhorses!

Both coops I built have some oddities and idiosyncrasies to their construction. Mistakes can be fixed or lived with, as necessary. One major mistake I made with the second coop is now considered a "feature." The chickens don't care!

You have my warm wishes and encouragement to put hammer to nail (or screwdriver to screw) up against some plywood and 2x4s and just go at it. You will be so proud of your accomplishment.

 

[suburbanchickymama]

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!

Do not be intimidated by power tools. They can be a woman's best friend.

Good luck and big hugs!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Isn't there a Chicken Coops for Dummies book? I'm pretty sure there is. Not that you are a Dummy! But that might be a place to look for simple plans that would fit your needs.
Good Luck!