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

[PapaChaz]

too bad you're not closer! how many sheets of plywood do you have? is it by any chance exterior grade? regular plywood can be painted but it's still not gonna last for long exposed to the weather. the slanted roof where you build the front taller than the back is by far the easiest way to build it, you are gonna need 2x4s for framing, you should be able to haul them in the mini van, if you wind up buying them from a lumber yard, HD or Lowes, they'll deliver if you have to have a lot of them.
there are a lot of great people on here who can and will give you all the advice you need, maybe me and DW need to just plan a trip to the smokeys and come help you! that could be fun, LOL

oh, and yes the metal shed could be modified! all you'd really need is some ventilation and the nesting boxes

 

[kidd42]

Sorry to hear that he left you high and dry. I have a set a plans that has a material list and cut sheet's (This will tell you what needs to be cut and to what length) I bought them online a couple years ago when I built my first coop. If you are interested I would be happy to send you a copy or fax a copy to you at no charge. You can see the coop by going to my page, and then click on kelly's coop at the top. Just let me know, and we can personnal message on it. If I was closer I would be glad to build it for you. Good luck and let me know. Kevin

 

[kidd42]

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!

Yes, there is on sale at Amazone for $9.99. I just bought a copy last Sunday, lots of good advice, well worth it.​

 

[Elite Silkies]

I use the metal storage sheds and build the run onto them. My run is 6' tall, so that I can walk around in them, but you can build it shorter. I just prefer to have use of both sliding doors. I bought 2 off of craigslist for $200. I used 4x4 post for the frame, but I am sure you could use 2x4's.

 

[fried green eggs]

Hi,
I will call friends that live near you - Church Hill and see if they can help you out. Talk to your local lumber yard Carter Lumber??? Tell them situation and they they might be able to help too. Look in Craigslist for a Dog Kennel to use as a Run with Chicken Wire around bottom sides and over top Power Drill/Screw Drivers are not hard to use but, get Torc Head Screws with a bit to fit - the heads don't strip out like Phillips screws will. I call my friends tomorrow for you.

 

[TNkidsnextdoor]

Feeling better about this. I didnt think about a dog run. I posted a facebook update (not about the singleness, but about needing coop help) and might have a starter.) if I can modify a metal shed, that would nne great. And church hill isnt too far. It"s a drive for sure, but just like anything else around here is. , but I can offer back child care, or if i get a garden growing (may be too much right now) some tomatoes. Or other typr of non-specialty help!

If your friends in church hill could maybe even let me know what I need to have for weather. That is really close!

Stupid me for getting in over my head. I just wanted fresh eggs for the baby, and for the tween who wants to be organic and fairtrade and vegetarian.

I really hope its worth it! They are peeping away right next to me right now! So cute!

You guys are making me feel really hopeful.

 

[fried green eggs]

My friends don't have children or chickens, they have horses, cats and dogs but they just moved to TN a couple of years ago and still don't know that many people down there. Cute as chicks are - they grow fast. A Metal Shed might be the fastest way to get them out of your LR. If you enter 'metal garden shed' in Search under Coop/Run in the forum it should bring you up some ideas to convert one. Cutting Metal for a small door can be done pretty easily if you get a Steel Cutting Blade for a circular saw - Use Safety Glasses and ware long sleeves when cutting steel. 2x4's / Plywood can be attached to steel if you use a steel drill bit on power screw driver to get through but you will need help of someone with a larger piece of Plywood (so their fingers and hands are out of the way when bit breaks through) they press tight on back side to push against so metal bit diggs in. Also if you use a nail first to indent the metal - it helps keep the bit, when you start to drill from slidding on the steel. We have all Steel covering on all our farm buildings and I grew up on a farm. Remember - Measure 2x, cut once.

 

[lxlzbaca]

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!

Yup there is, but that may not be the best option right now. My DH is finishing up the all in one coop from that book right now. A coop from that book that would house the number of chickens she has would be a major undertaking. However it would be a great tool for the information that is in the first half off the book

To op: so sorry for your situation. I think you've got a good idea with a metal shed. I'm sure if you search here you can find people who have done it. I think if I were in your shoes, I would get a large dog run and add a house to the side made of plywood and 2x4s. You can even predetermine what size of the 2x4s you will need and have then cut wherever you buy your lumber.​

 

[Carols Clucks]

Is there any old 4H members that could maybe help?


My 87 year old Mom and I built most of our coop.

Ryobi is my bestfriend! It can be done, and 2x4's should fit fine in your mini van, I know I have brought a stick or two home in my small suv

 

[andalusn]

Many people offer built chicken runs/tractors on caig's list so if you have not purchased yet keep searching there. Chickens aren't fussy, they live in anything really. Many folks buy a dog run and hang a tarp at one end. I myself have a 6'x6' square one that I have a piece of plywood over the top for a "partial" roof and then use the plastic square mesh roll from Home Depot to cover the rest and for tiny chicks I have it zip tied to the sides. A roost with water and feed inside. It's my "go to " pen for young chicks, roosters & overflow. It works great and the chickens are happy.