Washingtonians

[masonsmom]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions! I am pretty desperate for a chicken coop and really need something ASAP. It's already been put off too long in hopes of finding something free/cheap that I could work with. Everytime something free comes along I'm either too late or it would be too late by the time I could use my step dad's truck. I don't have any experience in building anything nor do I have many tools. How difficult is building something for someone with NO experience?

As it is now the chickens are in a hard ware cloth fenced off area, with an igloo dog house and plastic play house to sleep in. I fear for their safety and have the cash to buy them a safer, warmer coop, but seem to really lack good options now. I want something that is going to last at least a few years and big enough for the 7. I don't have plans to go over 7. (No chicken math for me!)

I am looking at these coops here.. http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/grd/2033616419.html Do they look okay? I am considering the middle or largest size they offer. I was bummed to find out that the price is just for what is shown, no roofing, no flooring etc without spending a little over $100 more.. That doesn't include a run, but I think I can easily work with the area they are already being kept in if need be. What kind of questions should I ask? Will these materials hold up from what you guys can see. My biggest concern is how WET we stay here..

I'm also weighing the option of the one that was posted here earlier http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/grd/2048791842.html It's smaller, but it is a A LOT closer to me! Any other suggestions or advice on these two? Thanks!

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Illia, I have not heard that it was illegal in this state, or Pacific County...but I did her it was illegal in a few other Counties more close to Seattle...rumours...what I DID say was that it is illegal to have rainwater as your sole supply of water........so that is why we are drilling and drilling..ever coming up with salt water thanks to the ever melting glaciers and rising sea level, imagine, I actually know what I am talking about, and did not have to look in anyone's old book to know it, I actually have reports and digs and soil and salt tests and a $6K 8" dry well pipe in the ground.....drinking water ONLY comes from rain, not melting glaciers (

) rain must exceed what has been in last years, for many years in order to replenish the aquafir.
The big aquafir in the midwest is the one that will hurt us all: Farmers have to deepen their irrigation wells every year because the keep going dry............. it is not refilling fast enough as they are sucking it out...and the soil is depleted, and only restored with tractors that pull giant tanks of ammonia and spray it on the soil, I know cuz I did it, I was the lovely co-manager o 2 very large wheat and sheep/cattle farms.
That aquafir dying, and the bees dying.....will hurt us so bad I cnnot even describe it.
Plant for bees, do not move them around and disorient them, and save water...all you can do.

 

[ultasol]

Quote:
Yes, here is the info, the show catalog, and the entry form for any interested in the Chehalis show. It is the first weekend in December, and coop in is Fri, coop out is Sun. I will be there with silkies and geese. I will have my proven SQ white runners for sale, $60 for trio (One pullet, one hen, one drake) as I prefer the heavier appleyards. These runners aren't as skittish as runners normally are, the drake used to be a youth showbird.

Here is website for show and club
http://washingtonfeatherfanciers.webs.com/wffwintershow.htm

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Is it insulated or just a plywood construction ? He does not say...

 

[fdnick]

this looks kinda cool http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/for/2048095575.html more money ($750 obo) but its BIG.. 8x16

 

[fdnick]

oohh real cute and cedar http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/bab/2042374248.html

 

[DIYSeattle]

600 dollars will buy a good amount of supplies. It all depends on what you want and how imaginative you are. Also how much you want to push a saw if you dont have a table saw or circular saw. I cant justify spending 600 dollars on a coop for a few chickens. I built mine with a handsaw and some fenceboards I scrounged. I did buy a box of screws, a box of washers, and a roll of wire. I thin I spent about 30 or 40 dollars or something like that. It holds my 4 leghorns. Theres almost as much room up top as there is on the bottom. Something similar could be built with new wood resonably cheap. You may have more room than I do so 2x2s with wire could make a pretty good size run on the cheap. Even dog wire is cheap enough (the 2x4 inch squares.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Too bad I hate working with wood. I might be able to get something going. I have a source for 2x4 and 2x6 direct from the mill. I can get them for 1/2 of what you will pay at HD and they are the same wood and cut the same since this mill does supply some of HD lumber. I just bought 76 sticks most 8' but I ordered some 10' too and it cost me $100.

did I ever tell ya I hate working with wood. give me wood and I will give back firewood. Give me steel amd I will make ya something.

 

[Chickielady]

Quote:
Swy I sent ya the message about this trailer here```````````

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
Thanks but I am not really interested. I don't have a need for it other than scrap and there probably isn't enough to make it worth the trip. Right now it is .08 per pound or $160 ton.