The new A-Frame Coop, generation 2.0! **The NEW PICS are Here!! **

[GeneJordan]

awesome idea!!!!

 

[Lbrad7]

Love that you were able to do so much with the frame of a swing set! Amazing job!

 

[sueche]

I just love seeing everyones work. Creative use of that A frame swing.

 

[speckledhen]

Looking great!

 

[eastercreek]

Great idea! Looking forward to more pics!

 

[NoSleepTillBrooklyn]

I do plan on selling some eggs, but at best egg sellers may have a minimal profit, so I hope to get enough for the feed and some supplies only. Yes, the chickens will walk on it but we plan to lay down slats and space them about 2-3" apart so they won't need to step ON the wire. Saw that type of floor in a poultry book I read once. The manure is farmer's gold and I always look to use it around the ranch (I use the term loosely). Just got 8 wheelbarrow loads from spring cleaning my first coop last weekend, and that will be tilled into the garden along with compost already prepared.

Don't ever sweat the "newbie" questions as we all were new to this odyssey of the chicken at some point. I am starting my second year in it and have 12 laying and 26 more growing. The A-Frame is for the newest flock. I do encourage all new members to read, read, read! all the info you can here and at bookstores, the library, etc.

Thanks! I have been studying, studying.... I currently have 2 pullets, and will be adding some more as I find the breeds I want. I look forward to more pics of this coop. Good luck!​

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

The hardware cloth will protect them from weasels and predators- just make sure you have a door right there so you can hose it out. You will need to hose it out once a week or so because the poo will stick to it some.

If you go larger than 1/2" you are asking for rats and weasels to kill your chickens.

The other thing I might mention is that you will want access doors arranged so that you can retrieve reluctant chickens in case they run from you and you want to dust them for mites (

yes I have been there done that with a very long coop that I couldn't reach into very well).

 

[catdaddy66]

I plan on having hinged doors on each end and in the center of the back wall as well as access to the nest boxes on the back wall. I hope to have 6-8 boxes evenly spaced on the back wall with outdoor retrieval of eggs the goal. In all I hope to have 5 access panels located around the structure! It means I have to buy lotsa latches and hinges. Having nice digs for the birds is for the birds!

 

[O.Wendell Douglas]

Loving the A-frame design. We're likewise using an old playground framework, though ours is a little more of a....salvage operation. It's my first day on the forum, but when I can figure it out, I'll get up some pictures of ours, too. Thanks for sharing!

 

[WestKnollAmy]