The coop build has begun!!

[kjens2014]

Excellent work! Off to a great start!

Might want to double check the spacing on that 2nd stud from the right on the entry door side.

Yeah, I was measuring 16" OC from the right hand side going left....than realized I needed the man door.....so i got a small gap between two studs lol. Hardware cloth instead of soffit material is the plan, as is a couple of smaller pop out windows for ventilation.

 

[Chickenwing77]

Yeah, I was measuring 16" OC from the right hand side going left....than realized I needed the man door.....so i got a small gap between two studs lol. Hardware cloth instead of soffit material is the plan, as is a couple of smaller pop out windows for ventilation.

Ever get it finished?

 

[kjens2014]

Its almost done! Just have to put some finishing touches on it tomorrow, and my babies will be ready for their new home!

It was too dark to actually get pictures of the roost and poop tray inside. Tomorrow I just need to cut the hole out for the door, add hinges, lock, and handle, and presto chango!

Everything that has entry from the outside has either a combination of hasps and carabiners or barrel bolts, hasps, and carabiners.

The run is fully hooped and covered with wire fencing to deter local winged predators and deft climbing fiends. I'm sure, however, that it'll make a fantastic jungle gym for the local furry tailed rats (squirrels).

This is my temporary man-door til tomorrow and cleanout door. The window above has hardware cloth inside and is for ventilation.

Here's my version of nesting boxes. They do have a spot to land when they fly up to go in the boxes. I cut holes out of the back large enough to fit a hand in to grab eggs, etc.. but not so large a chicken will decide he/she needs to escape or fill the void between the bucket and outer door with stuff.

My pop-door/ramp/ no mess opener. Its not dumb if it works.

 

[Chickenwing77]

Cool. I like your nest box design. I just picked up some lumber for an 8x8 so I am trying to get as many ideas together before the build. Floor looks solid!

 

[kjens2014]

The girls went in last night!! They seem to enjoy their new house! I have a few more minor things to do (finish buttoning up the run, add a tarp over part of it for additional shade), plus add a man door into the coop, but the girls are in the big house and happy. Yes they do have a waterer in the run. It's off to the right out of view.

 

[Blue Eager]

The girls sure look happy. Nice job!

 

[kjens2014]

The girls sure look happy. Nice job!

Thanks!! I've spent a lot of afternoons and evenings here lately trying to get it finished, including working out in the cold and crud trying to get it ready!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

 

[kjens2014]

I have quite the plucky little Dominique. She had to peck me a few times before "allowing" me to pet her briefly. She pecked me last night as well when my neighbor and I rounded them up to crate them for the trip through the back yard to their house.

At the very end I got what appears to be a semi stank eye for ruffling her feathers out of place just a smidge.