Weekend coop building extravaganza

[lilredchick]

any new pics?

 

[Nuzzy]

Couldn't get any painting done before our Chicago trip, but oh well... Got back this afternoon and, after playing with our trick kite, got a few hours to work. I've been trying to figure out layout inside for awhile now, kicking around different ideas. Based on the research I'd done and suggestions I'd received, I knew I needed to address the issue of preventing shavings from getting kicked into the track of the sliding door. I knew this would take the form of a kick board, and would need to be higher than with a regular door. Additionally, I want roosts in the far back and far side walls, and would like the PVC rain water powered waterer system along the back wall near side. This left few options for placing the nesting boxes, but I feel comfortable with the solution I decided upon. In making sure the boxes are below the level of the lowest roost, and keeping them as dark as possible, I figured they'd fit perfectly backed up to the sliding door. They wont receive any direct morning sunlight this way, and by way of height won't allow any airborne shavings to land in the door track. Sure they block a portion of the door, but I feel it's a fine compromise. We've discussed frosting or painting a cool design on the lower part of the glass anyways, so the "eyesore" point should be moot.

Two are 14x14x14ish and one is an inch narrower.

I thought it'd be nice to have the inners removable so I ripped some trim and made cleats on either side. With the trim board to be added on the front, they can simply be removed by pulling directly up.

Some liquid nails and finishing nails later, the fronts are trimmed.

I'll cut a piece of rubber to fasten the top to the back board which will act as a simple hinge. I do have concern with the pitch of the top as it's not as steep as I would have liked. However going steeper would have necessitated either a higher back wall blocking more door or a much shorter front opening, neither option of which I was particularly fond. I'll just see how it goes and adjust later if it becomes an issue.

As it sits now from outside. The deep litter will come up to the top of the bottom 2x8 when all is said and done, so the height of the top 2x8 will be all that's necessary to step over. Will likely make a basic step out front before the door to further ease the transition.

And of course the ever growing chicks! They have now moved into the garage instead of our guest room, and have obtained this nice new mini roost

And of course, Squirt keeping on eye on his flock

 

[Dogfish]

Nice job, man. Do you feel like that coop is calling your name when you have a few spare minutes like me?

Good looking chicks there.

 

[Nuzzy]

Well, anyone who knows me would notice there has been a glaring omission thus far in the build. I assure you it stopped tonight. This coop needed...













































...chainsaw action.

It was time to consider roosts. As pertaining to cold winter climates, I know many people make roosts out of 2x4s flat side up to avoid frostbitten toes. However, I had no intention of using boring old 2x4s...


So I grabbed the little saw and headed into the back woods to find some branches of trees I'd felled last year. Came across this red oak which was a perfect candidate. After a couple long rip cuts, I had some nice looking natural roosts with the flat side I was after.

Then the notch fest was on

Took some basic measurements and pretty much winged it.

I wanted one roost in front of the windows so the chickens could look out. Figure it will also give a nice cool breeze during the hot summer nights. In the winter (and big storms), those windows will be plexi'd. So I screwed in some cleats, cut some flat notches in the branch, and set 'er in place.

The birds will also have the two back wall options. Both upper roosts are 18" from their respective walls, but they do have quite a bit of adjustability. The lower is roughly 32" from the wall if I remember correctly.

Added a brace for some extra rigidity and called it good for the night. I try to avoid chainsawing past 10:30pm whenever possible...

Hope they do the trick.

Won't be long now for the birds to leave their humble brooder!

 

[Nuzzy]

Quote:
Oh so true!! I love projects, but I hate when they drag on! I wish I could've knocked this out within a few long days but I just don't have that kind of time.

So yeah, I hear ya. Few minutes here and there is all she gets...

 

[PrinceSandwich]

Now thats what I call a roost!

nice job!

 

[Nuzzy]

Now we've gone and done it.




























Guineas!!!!!!!

 

[Dogfish]

Those funny lookin' fellows?

 

[Nuzzy]

Quote:
Yep

These goofy looking bastards:

 

[AdanMtz]

Uh oh, with these six guineas it puts you at 21 better start planning your next coop lol. How much land do u have out there?