Updated! Pics! Thank you! Someone that has a clue please help

[HennyJenny]

My husband thinks I'm nuts.

(You should've seen the guys at Lowe's when I was there alone picking out lumber!) He's not a bad a guy. He's just not into the whole chicken thing. It's all good. When I needed help lifting a couple of things he was around. I am a fairly independent whackjob

When it's all done - I'm going to have learned a whole bunch about building and about myself. I built the little coop to the right in the photo last year. This year I've built two fairly large brooders that will be converted to cages for birds that need isolating - so I really thought I could do this myself. It's an adventure. What's life without one? I have learned so much on BYC and I just knew you guys would come through with some encouragement and support when I really needed it!!

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I am sooooo proud of you!!!!! What a good job. Make yourself a list step by step, with one days work on each step. That way the job won't seem endless

 

[drumstick diva]

Looks really good - don't be hard on yourself. What a beautiful job you've done and you don't have to share credit with anyone? Priceless!!

 

[gibsonbuzz]

nice job so far

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Tell your husband

You can do it without him. I've built 4 of them without any help from anyone else. We've got a thread around her somewhere that was all women builders. I never had a drill until I built my coop. I cut all my wood with a handsaw. Everything looks so good. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

 

[orbirdman]

Quote:
Build your walls right there on the floor.
Best way to do it is to frame it like a production job. The 2x4's that run at the top and bottom are called "plates". Nail your plates together with 2-3 nails that can be pulled out easily. When your plates are ready to go start your lay out all the way down the wall. The lay out consists of marking both plates where the studs will go, thats the point of connecting the plates together(marked both at same time). Then once your layout is finished separate the plates, and place them apart the same length as the studs. Next, place your studs according to your layout marks. Then start at the bottom plate and attach the plate to the studs. I stand on the plate and stud, working my way down the wall. Then move to the top plate and repeat. You can build your 2 longs walls right on top of each other. Tip them up, and brace em. Then build your last wall. Finish everything off with top plates to tie all the walls together and your ready for the roof.
Good Luck and i hope this helps.

 

[wildorchid053]

i would so get me a couple of college kids.. buff ones to help me.. then tell hubby to eat his heart out when he sees all the fun your having.. i can't believe he won't help you.. he sooooo deserves it..

 

[DaveBeaty]

I share your pain. I called my wife for help building our coop (I can't hold an 8 foot board horizontal 6 feet in the air with one hand and operate screwgun with the other) and she sends out our 4 foot high daughter.

Nice.

She can't help because that would interfere with her (going dangerously near an off topic rant)

If you were within 3 hours of Albuquerque I would come over to give you a hand. I could use one myself.

 

[AnnainMD]

You go girl. You never know what you're capable of until you do it. I'm very impressed.

 

[ChixMama]

I thought I was the only one that threw tantrums when frustrated! I laughed out loud because it sounded so much like me. When I went to get the plywood for our roof/floor at Home Depot I struggled with getting it on the cart. I wanted it ripped in certain dimensions so it was easier to get home & I wouldn't have to rip it at home. The guy that cuts the wood told me he'd be right with me. After being there for 30 minutes & trying to get help I saw him again & he said "no one has helped you yet?!"---arghhhhhhh.

Finally someone came to cut the wood & I had to walk him through the process. (NEVER go to Home Depot on a Sunday evening to get wood cut). When I got home I started unloading the wood & my husband comes out to help and I growled/snarled at him "I'LL GET IT MYSELF!!!!"

We tend to call these "divorce projects" cause we feel like it just might cause one as grumpy as we get!