I am getting 2 to 4 chickens as we have approval from the landlord for up to 4! Hubby would prefer 2, but I think I can sweet talk 2 bantams into the coop too
Ya know...for the kids
The lady I'm getting them from said they should get along just fine.
Anyway. I am planning on using pallets for the base. It has to be raised btw. That gives me 4ft x 3ft 4" for each the coop and the run. I will also build a medium PVC run with a shelter for use around the yard once a day.
If I build the nest boxes externally, there should be enough space for the roosts, food and water and movement in the coop right?
I will be getting them 8-18weeks old - from a local place called Blue Star Ranch. So I don't have to worry about a brooder, shipping etc. Would it help the pecking order if I get the bantams a little older than the large fowl, or will that not make a difference?
This is a very very rough idea (and first time using sketch up, so nothing is to scale or properly done lol!) of what I have in my head:
Imagine a tin roof angle from front to back, overlapping the edges by at least a few inches on top of 2 x 3s or something, then hardware cloth covering the opening between top of coop and roof - extra ventilation, but roof extending far enough so that no rain gets in.
Depending on how easy it is to get them level once they're raised on the platform, they'd either be right next to each other and the doors would be right up against each other, or there'd be a little wooden walkway with hardware cloth surrounding it like a tunnel, for them to go though to get into the run during the day.
We're in central Texas, so it's HOT but I don't want things too open with the rain we've been getting.
I am going to the habitat for humanity restore today to peek around and see what I can find to add to the project because salvaging wood form the other pallets isn't all that great of an option, they're older and very difficult to pry apart without splitting wood.
The 2 pallets I'll use will have a 1/4 plywood piece on top of the pallet and then vinyl flooring.
Please don't judge the sketches too harshly
Anyway. I am planning on using pallets for the base. It has to be raised btw. That gives me 4ft x 3ft 4" for each the coop and the run. I will also build a medium PVC run with a shelter for use around the yard once a day.
If I build the nest boxes externally, there should be enough space for the roosts, food and water and movement in the coop right?
I will be getting them 8-18weeks old - from a local place called Blue Star Ranch. So I don't have to worry about a brooder, shipping etc. Would it help the pecking order if I get the bantams a little older than the large fowl, or will that not make a difference?
This is a very very rough idea (and first time using sketch up, so nothing is to scale or properly done lol!) of what I have in my head:
Imagine a tin roof angle from front to back, overlapping the edges by at least a few inches on top of 2 x 3s or something, then hardware cloth covering the opening between top of coop and roof - extra ventilation, but roof extending far enough so that no rain gets in.
Depending on how easy it is to get them level once they're raised on the platform, they'd either be right next to each other and the doors would be right up against each other, or there'd be a little wooden walkway with hardware cloth surrounding it like a tunnel, for them to go though to get into the run during the day.
We're in central Texas, so it's HOT but I don't want things too open with the rain we've been getting.
I am going to the habitat for humanity restore today to peek around and see what I can find to add to the project because salvaging wood form the other pallets isn't all that great of an option, they're older and very difficult to pry apart without splitting wood.
The 2 pallets I'll use will have a 1/4 plywood piece on top of the pallet and then vinyl flooring.
Please don't judge the sketches too harshly
