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

[surfchicken72]

make sure you have windows that let in sun in the WINTER. Especially in the Morning.
I'm in the Northeast, and regret it dearly.(not doing it.) I may be installing some this summer.

ALso.. go easy on the framing.... I slightly "over-did it" with studs 16" on center, fireblocking, etc. when it came time to paint that interior,
I was cursing myself. It will stand up to an earthquake, but what a pain.

 

[diddly74]

Fab thread.

I am new to the forum, but have been the proud owner of 8 chucks before. Had to let them go when we moved house, but now ready to set about building a new coop again.

I live in the UK, and have found lots and lots of great advice on these pages. Don't seem to be many people from England cruising your boards!

Space is a commodity that is in short supply over here and I know that I can't have the size of coops or flock that some of you do, but plan on building a coop to house 6 or so birds with the help of my dear husband (poor suffering man he is) - So I shall be employing as many of your hints and tips in our back garden as I can. Thank you.

Donna

 

[steinway]

great thread - I have gotten some fantastic ideas to use. I hope everyone who is building their first coop or run finds this thread. Thanks everyone.

 

[jpsbcfc]

make the run tall enough to walk in, ours isnt quite which makes everything slightly harder work.


try and put half of their run on concrete or something similar not all grass as ours is cos now its all mud.

 

[oldcrowfarm]

Just for the record-I am now positively TERRIFIED to start planning a coop/run!!! We thought we were making a lot of mistakes by rebuilding our old house ourselves, this sounds even more daunting! Especially for newbies!

We have learned the ol' nail and thumb lesson, but Lord, it sounds like we are out of our league here!


Sybil (and David, who actually does all the thumbing, er, nailing)

 

[citychickx6]

Quote:
It is not so hard. Get some graph paper and make a plan. Following the plan will make things easier.

This is what I learned.
It is much easier to fix things on paper than in wood.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
Agreed.
I still overdo framing but it was a pain to make bigger openings when I realized the ventilation was inadequate the first coop.

BIG east openings get the ventilation you need and the first light of the day. South/west windows do nothing for increased light unless they are inside all day. Most people let them out in the morning and they go to bed at dusk so the early morning/East light is all that counts.

 

[seedcorn]

Second opinion to use screws where you can instead of nails.

Decide what a "perfect" chicken house would be with no costs being spared. Then put away the plan for a week, come back and look at it and make improvements. If you didn't make any improvements, start looking for the items you will need. If you did make improvements, put the plan aside for another week. If you make improvements again, start looking for items as there is no such thing as a "perfect" house and you want to enjoy this in your life time.

Build as close as you can to "perfect". If you don't you will always wish you did and start to hate what you have built. The cost difference between "perfect" and "it's ok", is very little and in the long haul, cheaper.

Decide how many chickens you want, build it only as large as they need. If you are like me and build it larger than you need, you will not force yourself to be realistic and take this from hobby to job. I've built the seperate rooms/pens for each breed, became work. Now I set priorities and have one breed. Still too many hens for one family but neighbors enjoy the overrun.

Probably the most important, decide is this hobby or work. If it's a hobby, treat it as such and realize you will be constantly changing your mind and that is what makes it fun.

Really enjoy reading this thread.

 

[bairo]

Quote:
One word for you "Sand"

 

[bairo]

Quote:
It is not so hard. Get some graph paper and make a plan. Following the plan will make things easier.

This is what I learned.
It is much easier to fix things on paper than in wood.