What to do if you lack construction skills?

[hennypenny9]

I grew up with chickens, but also with people who could stamp out a chicken house in a weekend. Now in urban-ville, I don't know how to proceed. It must be clean looking, and something with little to no fabrication required. I added some pictures to give you all an idea of what I'm working with here.

As you can see, I'm very close to three other houses. One on either side, and one behind. My idea for a run is to buy a dog run (7 1/2' x 13') and some sort of storage shed. I would obviously modify the shed to add a small door (doggy door?) nesting box, and roost. Would I have to poke holes in the top for ventilation?

So my question to all of you experienced chicken keepers is, does this seem doable? I miss chickens.

 

[UrbanMama]

There are several people here who are building coops out of little kids playhouses you can get at Lowes or Toys R Us etc. That might be an option! Some people also use really big dog houses, rabbit hutches etc.

How many chickens are you planning on having? Standard or bantys? Roos and hens? The answers to these questions will really help and I'm sure you'll get lots of responses!

PS

Cute yard!

 

[crazy huhn]

How many chickens are you planning to have or better said, how many chickens do your city ordinances and neighbors allow?
A friend of mine has the chicken iglu with run....

 

[hennypenny9]

Oh, I forgot to say how many chickies. I'm thinking two, since it's just me and any more will make too many eggs. They'll be standard. I'm going to search for quiet ones (we had extremely loud RIRs in the past). No roosters!

I may also add solid fencing to two sides to block sound and downplay the fact that I have them. It is legal, (as long as they are clean and such) but I don't want to bother anyone. I really like my neighborhood.

This is one idea. Picture it with a doggy door. It's 6' Hx 3' Dx 4'7"W. I wonder if it would get too hot inside. Maybe ventilation.

 

[jubylives]

Where abouts you from? Man that sure is some purty grass you have there. The littler buggers sure know how to eliminate it. Maybe a small igloo dog house with a rod stuffed through it for a roost. That should house two chickens easy enough.

Some nifty items on here also.

http://www.igloodoghouse.net/

$84 ain't too bad

jeremy

 

[hennypenny9]

I live in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you, the grass is pretty, but I'd like to turn the whole yard into a garden. Someday when I have the time. :O

I forgot to mention that it's important that I be able to shut them in at night. To keep out the cold in the winter, and also because we have some HUGE raccoons here.

 

[columbiacritter]

I live inthe PNW too. Check on craigslist regularly. There's a lot of people making custom coops or selling the ones they dont' want anymore. Don't just on the first one you see, there's always more out there.

 

[Chicabee19]

henny... whereabouts are you in the Pac NW? We got a free 10' x 7' metal shed that we are going to use as a coop.

 

[hennypenny9]

I'm up in Bellingham. I hadn't thought of CL! I'll definitely check that. I used to check it regularly, mostly the "free" section. People give away nice stuff. We got an almost new couch once.

 

[Tailfeathers]

I'm in Granite Falls, WA and was just looking over the "Recent Posts". Thought I'd let y'all know I'm in the PacNW too and because of that my first coop was a 10x12' Royal Vinyl shed.

I'm in the process of building a second 8x12' wooden shed at the present time.

Henny, you should put a post over on the "Washingtonians" post so that we know you live in WA.

God Bless,