The shed is here.... OMG NOW WHAT!

[canesisters]

Yes, it's the space between the metal roofing and the walls - about 3-4". (That's an old pict - before the boxes came down and it got cleaned up.) I know it's got to be covered, and I've got scraps of hardware cloth, but I'm not sure how to attach it. I'm hoping staples will do because it's way too tight up there for my big, heavy, monster drill/screwdriver. But the only things to staple to (without going way up the roof of way outside) is the eaves and the header... nothing at the top. ?
Since I have plenty of space, I'm planning to re-use the wood from the old nest boxes to make some poop shelves. I'm going to use plastic cat litter buckets as nest boxes - hopefully under the perches/poop shelves.

 

[canesisters]

I forgot to ask.
The new c&r floor is packed pretty good but will need much more foot traffic to get it smooth. I was on it with a ladder last night and barely left foot prints. I want it to get a good bit more 'worn' before I add bedding because I don't want porous bedding getting mixed in with it while it's still settling.

Would you just let them be on the sand/gravel? Or should I put a tarp down over it and then add bedding? My concern is that no bedding means that the sand will be absorbing the poo.... and the smell will become a permanent part of the floor. But bedding mixed in while it's settling will (I think) result in the same thing.
Anyone use this type of flooring? What are your thoughts?

 

[akovia]

I just love this thread, Canesister! Loads of chuckles. And, I must say, I think you are doing just fine! Carry on!

 

[canesisters]

Thanks akovia. I appreciate the encouragement. Working by myself, it's just SO easy to second guess every little decision.

From what I've learned on here, the little buggers are going to drive me crazy before it's all over anyway - so I may as well save time and head on that way myself.

 

[4 MimisPeeps]

I too have really enjoyed following your progress!! Lucky you to get a free shed!

You have made such tremendous progress by yourself! Your girls will love their new home. It's amazing how quickly they grow!

I have finally made my final decision after looking at hundreds of pics and plans. Printed pics from BYCer's and gave list of wants to hubby and sons (all carpenters) so they are just about finished with their sketches and numbers. now waiting for my numbers ($$$$).

Keep sharing the pics!!

 

[canesisters]

Thanks mimispeeps, and Yeah for you! How wonderful, a new coop on the way!

 

[akovia]

LOL!

 

[akovia]

I just love this thread, Canesister! Loads of chuckles. And, I must say, I think you are doing just fine! Carry on!

 

[canesisters]

NOT a great weekend so far.

I spent 3 hours Friday evening building a door. Sounds simple enough. 2x4's screwed together at the corners.. a nice brace across the middle... two more braces up the middle because the only wire Lowes has was 24" and the hole I'm trying to 'door-up' is 42". Easy-Peasy.
Except I'm working alone and it's REALLY hard to screw the ends of two 2x4's together without them tipping, falling, getting all crooked, etc. It's hard - but not impossible. I measured very carefully. Measured again (cause you're supposed to). Gathered up all my spare/salvaged 2x4's and got out the antique saw. How long ago did they start putting that 3rd prong on plugs??? My saw (and my drill) only have 2. Anyway... measured everything super careful. Made a plan, since I had a very limited amount of wood and a very big door hole. Started cutting and assembling. REMEMBERED that before I cut the cross pieces I needed to take into account the width of the 2 outside 2x4 edges (

) Got it all put together with only a minimum of muttered made-up cuss words. Stood it up, seemed sturdy enough. "Good, Stout Door!" Ugly... but functional. Just before I started painting it, which would have been just prior to attaching my expensive wire a thought occurred... better take it to the coop and make sure it fits. Of course it would fit, I measured everything like a dozen times. Except that it doesn't. Even if I turn it upside down. Even if I put it in backwards. Even if I take a hammer to it and whack the heck out of it - it WILL NOT shrink that mysterious 1/4 INCH that the door hole shrunk while I was sweating on the ground in the driveway.
**** note here - if you're carrying an 79" high very heavy door at a crazy and awkward angle - and you squeeze through the narrow opening of the gate because you're too lazy to put the door down and open the gate nice and wide - you will clip the top of the door on the side of the barn - which will cause it to smack you in the temple - which will cause you to bite your tongue.

****another note - if you loose you temper and flail away on the end of a 2x4 trying to make it magically become 1/4 thinner it will split and become useless.


Going back to Lowes (1.5hr round trip) because the girls have started picking each other mercilessly and HAVE GOT TO GET OUT OF THAT BROODER!

 

[canesisters]

Silver Lining Time.
Got enough wood to start a brand new door. Got some help (Dad). Spent 4 more hours building a brand new door. This time it's actually kinda pretty. Also got the wire up in the rafters, and over the windows.

**** note - using a staple gun upside down and over your head should be an Olympic event!

AND my cousin came over to see what it's gonna take to get electricity from the barn to the coop. Does anyone have a ditch witch I can borrow?

We finally got the door hung, got a piece of fence down the middle - to separate the 3 submissive girls who are getting picked bald and blind from the 3 big bullie birds - got a little bedding in 2 corners - got 2 perches and 2 feeders and water-ers (how do you spell that anyway?) and got the birds settled in.

Then, of course, I had to sit there a while and watch them. .... and go back out a little later to see if they were ok..... and now it's 11:00 and I'm telling myself that I'm going to bed and getting some sleep.. we'll see about that....

SO - long story short - the girls have MOVED INTO THE COOP!