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

[Roxannemc]

I saw this today and I was wondering if anyone has ever used it?? It's coated with vinyl or PVC or something. The guage is pretty small, I can cut it with a box cutter - but it would not rust as easily. For laying on the ground under the coop floor - what do yall think?

Another question - in the run - everyone talks about laying chicken wire/hardware cloth/fence wire on the ground and covering it with dirt or sand - hasn't it pretty much rusted away to nothing after, say, 5 years underground??

I think that coated wire would be perfect Sounds and looks like it can turn into a cool coop!!

Dont sweat the window...
......Simple Window & frame ......
cut hole out with sawzal. tiny smaller than window
Staple hardwarecloth (inside) over it.
Add a 2x4 top frame screwed into the outer wall well, over the opening top, covering any crooked cuts with this 2x4 topper.,
Add Hinges to the window, then screw the hinges on that top 2x4 frame, centered,(some one probably needs to hold it in place as you screw it on unless its tiny).. then frame the window sides and bottom with 2x4's, . wallah .
You can frame the inside too... or not.
Maybe you know this but use screws not nails .More expensive but SO much more forgiving of mistakes. I learned the hard way.YIKES!

 

[canesisters]

Great News!

Nothing broke into the coop last night and all of the girls were still alive this morning!

(yeah, I know.... but it was a big deal to me

)

 

[joan1708]

I'm glad your girls made it through the night. It's no surprise. You've built a nice safe coop. Black coated hardware cloth would be easier to see through, and nicer looking I think. I wonder if it breaks off with age. It didn't work when I had rabbits, they chewed it.

I can identify with your frustration with mistakes. For me, everything about building the coop was one step forward, 2 steps back. Had to rework, re-do most things. But I did enjoy the sense of accomplishment at the end, even if my coop is not in the top ten pretty coops.

Are you going to paint yours? Something tells me you will.

 

[jrsckn]

Congrats!!!!!

Now we need finished pictures

 

[canesisters]

Thanks Joan. You're right, it's really hard to do this alone, but it's REALLY good to look at it when it's done and say "Yes! I did that!" However, I can't forget that I've had wonderful help with all the big things - delivering and moving the shed, closing up the openings and making it safe, getting electricity (and maybe water) from the barn to the coop... soon, I hope. I've been blessed in this little chicken project. I figure all the really hard and vital things are done now and it's time to start having fun.

Well - I have to admit that I'm also REALLY looking forward to NOT having to do coop building work EVERY day..
In earlier picts you can see the windows that I want to put in. That's going to be another learning experience - LOL. But I'm looking forward to it. Once I get the run put up, I can start filling it with things to entertain the girls. I've got one of those big, green turtle sandboxes that I want to make into a dust bath.

And I'm on the lookout for a dead tree with roots that I can 'plant' upside down so they can roost in the roots. And, yes, I plan to paint. I want to do something bright and happy inside (more for me, of course, than for them). And I'm hoping to do something whimsical and fun outside. May as well have fun with it, right?

I can't post picts until I get to work tomorrow
(shhh, don't tell my boss that I 'chicken-chat' at work)

Edited for picts:

building the first (ugly) door

That didn't fit




Got the eaves wired up

My cousin's comment - "Think you used enough staples????" I think it worked out to about one strip of them to each section of wire.. LOL



Jeff starting to wire up the electrical inside... still need that trencher.. anybody????



about 9:00 Sat night:




Punkinhead checking out the new neighbors


About 11:00 ..... They're having a party or something in there... I can here them raising cane from across the yard
Maybe they're not quite as happy about BEING in there as I am to HAVE them in there.

 

[joan1708]

Might want to consider 2 or 3 screws and washers over those staples. They say coons can pull on the wire and get the staples out. The girls look happy!

 

[canesisters]

Yeah, I was planning that for tomorrow afternoon - IF I can manage to raise my arms by then. More screws and washers were part of that Lowes run that 'blew' my budget.

Using a staple gun, backwards and over your head should be an Olympic event! I can't remember the last time my arms were this sore.
(I'm typing right now using a pen in my teeth.)

edited to add:
There is a 1" gap at the front and back roof lines. Where the 1X6's were laid down on the rafters and the metal nailed to them. Would you be concerned about that???? Even if I put up wire... the openings in the wire are 1/2" so there'd really only be 1 wire acoss the space.... Worth the effort??? Or don't worry about it????

You can see the space real good in the pict of Jeff starting the elect. It's not as big as it looks, the morning light was really bright.

 

[joan1708]

 

[jrsckn]

I wouldn't worry about a 1" gap, especially that high up. Your coop is lookin good, great job!

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

how about just screwing a sturdy piece of trim over the edge of the staples? You can paint it to match and save the screws/washers for the enclosed run. Please consider closing up any gaps bigger than half inch, snakes and rats both can climb very well., I know this from personal experience. It looks great so far, soon you will be, measuring and cutting so well you won't need fasteners, just fit well. I've gotten lots of ideas from your thread!