**UPDATE-RUN/INTERIOR PICS added**COOP is 95% done!! RUN next project

[flopshot]

Quote:
that was my thinking as well. you have a great looking building there. i think the wood framed run would look and perform the best. looking forward to seeing the completed project.

 

[chickens3]

Well that is a really nice coop wish i had the money and time to make something that nice.

 

[eponagirl]

(if this post looks familiar, I wrote it as a reply to another post and didn't want to type it all over again here!)

We decided to build the run above ground,without digging post holes.

We are close to being done now. We used PT 4x4's for the base and secured PT 2x4's for the posts and top frame using brackets. The material in the run is extra bank run gravel that we used under ther coop.(the run is built on part of our driveway that had some grass/weeds growing through). I ordered some Top Flight heavy duty netting to stretch across the top.

Below, you can see how we used brackets to attach the wood together. Also note: we nailed (roofing nails) hardware cloth on the outside of the run covering 6" of the wood and the rest went in the ground 6 more inches and then 12 inches out. We covered the mesh with rocks (plenty of those around!) and then put the dirt/gravel on top. (Eventually I will add some decorative crushed rock or something around the whole run) We then put 48 inch tall hardware cloth overlapping the 6" of exposed cloth around the run attaching it to all the wood. We are putting additional 2x4's on the outside of the run halfway up to cover and secure the next row of 48inch cloth. It is expensive to use that much hardware cloth, but it just seemed like it would look the best and we were only going to do this once! I may also put 2x6's on the outside base for added security of the mesh...seems like total overkill, but we'll see.

Below is how we did the corners to make sure everything was secure:

Our chicks have not yet ventured out, but the door is open!

 

[eponagirl]

Here are some inside pics before I put bedding down and added chicks:

Above: I primed and painted the whole interior using Kilz2 and Kilz paint. We made poop boards (might be too close to the roost, though, it's been working out fine), a communal next box (has since been primed/painted and needs a hinge for that front piece. Poop board above prevents waste getting into the box. I put hardware cloth on the inside of the window near the roost. I hooked it to cup hooks (open eye hooks) so I can lift it to open/close the window. The windows open above or below so I can direct airflow. We had some old horse mats that I cleaned and cut to fit the floor of the coop. I've decided to try pellets for the bedding, seems to be working out ok so far.

Above: Double door on front of coop. I made a frame/screen and tacked up hardware cloth. We secured it to the doorway with door jams on the outside and bolts on the inside so I can remove when I need to do a major cleaning. It seems very secure, one cannot get in from the outside of the front door, so when we open the doors it becomes a giant window for the chicks. We also secured a removable board at the base to contain bedding.

Below is the eye hook we used for the removable base board:

Below is the door out to the run (and the one I use to care for them). It also has a board secured with eye hooks. I made the frame and we tacked up pet screen to it. It ends short to leave room for the chickens to go outside and we can still shut the screen door if we want to. I am attaching a little door that will be like a dutch door so we will have a full screen door, with lower portion being able to open separate if needed.

Below are the older chicks free in the coop (the younger ones are in 2 dog crates attached together so the little ones have more space, but are separated from the older chicks safely):

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

WOW!!! Really great coop and run. You made a wise choice in using wood for your run over T-posts.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[eponagirl]

Thanks, we went WAY over budget for the coop and wanted to save some money on the run, but ended up just going for it and matching the wood in/out. If one is going to be in debt, one might as well look at the reason every day and enjoy it!

I've really been enjoying our chickens so far...so it will be worth it!

 

[gumpsgirl]

It's beautiful!

Great job!

 

[Scott]

Very Nice. I run is great...looks well built and roomy.

 

[eponagirl]

Thanks Scott, the run is 18x14 and unfortunately 8 ft high to match the height of the building (our friend who built it was "enthusiastic" when he framed the height of the coop!

)

 

[sondra]

wow, what an amazing coop. I asked my hubby for a new coop for my anniversary. So he started working on it today. It is going to be about 12 x 12. Looking at yours I just can't wait for mine to be built!