Things you've learned while building your coop...

[Sonoran Silkies]

Build it tall enough to stand in without stooping.

 

[pwand]

Quote:
Apparently there are three universal keys for padlocks. if you want one that no one else will have a key that might fit yours, go to a locksmith. We learned that at our business when we had locks changed.

 

[TeaLady]

Rockerchic, congrats on your flock! Tips from my experience:

You probably don't need to insulate in San Diego; it hasn't even been a problem for me here in the Seattle area, even in a cold winter. I'd worry more about ventilation & keeping your girls cool in the summer.

The chain link is great, that's what I use. But you will need to back it up with hardware cloth for the bottom 2 or 3 feet, so the girls don't get pulled out through the fence. Continue that hardware cloth about 2 or 3 feet either down (in a trench that you fill back in) or out (in an apron that you bury). Critters dig right next to the fence, you want them to go away frustrated.

You'll want to provide overhead predator protection too. We ended up with 1x2 wire mesh over the top, tied in to the chain link all around. We had it part way up, but raccoons had been dropping in (literally) to pick up chicken carry-out. At least in S. Cal you don't have to cover it all with a tarp to keep the rain out.

 

[Rozzie]

x

 

[Rozzie]

x

 

[Hillsvale]

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and hog grower.. and sweet feed... and lamb mash! lol

 

[aussieheelr]

Building Permit!
Find out if you need one BEFORE you start to build.
...Not good finding out that you need one while under construction and have to hold off until you do get one. Meanwhile you have 2 month old turkeys pacing in circles... and ducks pacing in circles saying "Um excuse me, we'd like to be out of this brooder now!"

 

[Rockerchic]

My few observations as I make my coop:
First: have a well thought out plan before you start. I'm nearly done, but failed to plan the pop door. Not so easy to add at this point. Be sure to consider wherr the rain will run off the roof. You probably don't want it in front of the coop, where you will be knee deep in mud.
Since my coop will be inside the run, it must fit through the run door. Two ways around this limitation: Make the individual walls, then carry them into the run to assemble, or remove one wall to the run, and put it back up when done (much easier typed than actually done, especially if you put wire under the run already).
I also recommend using two drills. One will make the pilot holes (I used only screws, no nails at all), the other will have the driver bit. Good luck, and remember, check for exposed screws/nails so no one gets hurt!

 

[SparksNV]

Finished our coop 3 weeks ago:

Buy at least double the amount of screws you think you need
Have your roost removable so that you can take it off/down when you need to clean the bottom of the coop (no bumped heads)
Have a step stool to use when climbing in and out of your coop that is raised up 20" - add handles on the inside of the coop to hold onto while you climb in and out of said coop
Caulk the inside/outside of the coop like crazy
Splinters hurt, alot, have leather gloves available
You will see more "wildlife" than you ever did before you got chickens - even if you live in suburbia - in the last 3 weeks, I saw a raccoon coming out of the storm drain, caught a California ground squirrel in my rock wall, and saw a pair of red tail hawks circling overhead
Encourage your friends to start composting and offer chicken poo *free* with egg purchase

 

[BWKatz]

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And I can't sneak there w/o him either!
I'm the handy man in our family for woodworking /projects. He handles any major wiring and used to handle the plumbing but no longer able. Thankfully I can call on son for that. All of us are getting older and more decrepit.... thank God for power tools or I'd never get anything done. Never could use a hand saw. Learned carpentry,masonry, painting, in general being self sufficient from young age.