- Apr 8, 2010
- 9
- 0
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I decided to go with the Garden Coop plans when I decided to build our coop. I am really happy with the results! The plans were clear and easy to follow, and my husband did a nice job modifying in several areas. We had a lot of fun building it!
The coop and run is about 10 X 6 feet. I have ten chicks and plan on keeping six. The chicks are 5.5 weeks old and are living in the coop now, with a light for warmth in the coop for the next couple weeks until they are fully feathered out.
Here it is!
Another view
We added on external nesting boxes (not in the original plans). We did an interesting modification, as you'll see in the next pic...
We didn't like that the only clean-out door was on the inside, so my husband came up with this interesting plan of having the nesting boxes flip UP on a bar hinge. The nest boxes and the whole wall rotate inward and up, allowing us to get into the coop with a rake and clean out all the litter from the outside. Of course, we need to make sure the nest boxes are empty first!
The inside of the coop. The original plans called for a double "floating" interior wall. We live in a mild maritime Northwest climate and decided a single lapped wall would do. This allowed us to create the pivoting nest box wall. We haven't built the roosts yet, and the ladies are still a little young. Next week!
The hen house view from inside the run.
5.5 week old chicks enjoying a bundle of nasturtiums, comfrey, and oregano next to their dust bath area.
The coop and run is about 10 X 6 feet. I have ten chicks and plan on keeping six. The chicks are 5.5 weeks old and are living in the coop now, with a light for warmth in the coop for the next couple weeks until they are fully feathered out.
Here it is!
Another view
We added on external nesting boxes (not in the original plans). We did an interesting modification, as you'll see in the next pic...
We didn't like that the only clean-out door was on the inside, so my husband came up with this interesting plan of having the nesting boxes flip UP on a bar hinge. The nest boxes and the whole wall rotate inward and up, allowing us to get into the coop with a rake and clean out all the litter from the outside. Of course, we need to make sure the nest boxes are empty first!
The inside of the coop. The original plans called for a double "floating" interior wall. We live in a mild maritime Northwest climate and decided a single lapped wall would do. This allowed us to create the pivoting nest box wall. We haven't built the roosts yet, and the ladies are still a little young. Next week!
The hen house view from inside the run.
5.5 week old chicks enjoying a bundle of nasturtiums, comfrey, and oregano next to their dust bath area.
