The coop is up, but there's still lots to do! - 4x8' raised coop...

[shopchicks]

Dogfish, I followed your coop construction thread closely when I was planning.

How is your coop working out for you?

 

[Dogfish]

Working out really well, thank you. You will like that hardboard, and the ability to bring your wheelbarrow/trailer under the opening of the coop door.

I copied a lot of what I saw here and elsewhere, so my coop design was a combination of what materials I had on hand, plus what design features I liked on other coops.

Looks like you are doing exterior nest boxes under the left eave? You could use either a back open or a top open. I'd vote top open if the overhang was longer for sure. Looks like it is a push either way at the moment.

You guys have done a great job so far. I'll be watching your progress.

As far as keeping litter in when I open the big door, I made a slide-in dam that keeps shavings from pouring out. If you need pics of that , let me know. Without a dam, it can get messy opening the door if you do deep litter. Looks like you are based on the bottom height of the pop door.

 

[shopchicks]

Thanks for the pointers. I am actually doing interior nest boxes - cheaper and easier, though I think the exterior nest boxes are so cute, I just might add some later just 'cause. There is only 4" of overhang on the nest box side, and about 13" on the other side.

I put removable front panels on the compost bin I made last fall, and I think the same design ought to work just fine for the litter dam. It will definitely be needed with no ledge at all on the man door.

Tonight I got the interior painted with some light pink Kitchen and Bath "Oops" paint. I think there's even enough left over to paint the downstairs bathroom, too, so not bad for $5. I also built the pop door and the two front doors built, and will hang those and screen in the window tomorrow, making the coop minimally inhabitable.

eFowl did not bother to get my order out this week - I only ordered February 26, so it's not like they had any notice or anything.

I canceled that and will be getting some 11 week pullets from a local person this weekend - she has most of the breeds I want , and they'll be old enough to go straight into the coop, which will be easier on everyone. More updates this weekend, I'm sure!

 

[drumstick diva]

Shop chicks, love your coop and it's inhabitants are gonna love the view from their roost. Is that a gorilla garden cart parked under the coop? I'm on step 4 of putting mine together and so aggravated I'm about ready to slam the car door on my hand - for comic relief. The bolts and locknuts are driving me nuts. The diagrams stink but you can figure out what goes where by common sense. Wish I could borrow you and your dad - it would be up and running in no time.

 

[shopchicks]

I think that cart is a Rubbermaid. Got it at Costco a couple years ago, and I think it was more or less assembled. Good luck with yours and don't take it out on your hands, LOL - there is nothing more frustrating than trying to assemble something with bad directions! It will be worth it though - these carts are so much handier than a wheelbarrow.

 

[Dogfish]

11 week old chicks! That's cheatin!

 

[shopchicks]

I must really want chickens, because I've worked my rear off after work the last two evenings. I think I can go get my girls tomorrow night or Saturday morning!

Tonight I hung the man doors, put in a litter dam, put latches and hardware cloth on the window, and built a chicken ladder, vacuumed the junk out of the coop and put in litter. This is turning out better than I ever thought it could, and that is entirely due to all of the great advice and information on this BYC forum.

Still left to do:

Insulation and hardiboard on man doors.
Hang pop door and set it up to open/close from outside run
Build nest boxes & access door.
Feeders/waterers (PVC feeder and nipple watering system)
Upgrade the gable vents (I cheaped out when there was $300 in lumber on the carts alread during the first Lowe's run)
Paint the trim
Insulation in floor.

Oh yeah... build the run.

 

[Dogfish]

Nice job figuring out the dam for the litter.