Homesteading Chicken Coop Build, Chickens, Pond, Garden & Projects

Spent the last 3 weekends building a quick cheap coop. I'm no carpenter, but it went together nice.



4x4's with a platform that'll be all closed in.



Moved it into the spot Dawn wanted it and began the roofing.







Added the shingles, then onto the sides.



Framing for the nesting boxes and windows. Also added leg supports.




Panel in and window.





Both windows in, also built the outer nesting box area.

 

Closed in the nesting box area top hinged for easy egg access.






Added the door which still needs the predator proof latch.





Foot of snow halted the project





Added some trim




More trim and installed the chicken guard auto chicken door (strictly using a timer for this)

 

I Insulated the inside (this will be appreciated with our low temps) Added some siding and threw 16' worth of roosting bars in. I kept the 3.5" of a 2x4 up for their feet when they roost flat footed keeping them warmer. I forgot to mention after the flooring went in, Dawn added a linolium sheet to the floor for easy cleanup into a wheel barrow, conveniently at waist level.







Still need to make 4 roosting boxes- we have time for this. Planning on 13x13x10ish..... may adjust the dimensions.




I siliconed some drafty areas, added hardware cloth to the screened portion of the windows, and am almost finished. Need to predator proof the nesting lid, add venting near the ridge for winter air movement since the windows will be closed. Stain or paint when the weather turns nice.




These 16 chicks were all the same size when we picked em up at 1 day old, almost a month ago now. Notice the one is 4x bigger than the rest. Possible rooster me thinks...... the pic below was a week ago. Added hardware cloth because they were flying the coop.





The biggest one, still getting feathers in. Letting her (or him) stretch those legs a bit. Still way to cold out.




Sneaking out.....

 

Looking Gooder! .... Whats the plan for the chicken run?

 

Free range- when they are older of course (maybe add one at some point)

These are all White rock pullets.

They are all layers and/or roasters, but that particular one really grew fast considering they were all equal size. Amazing!

Thanks! Went as cheap as possible, but used decent material. Although I'm not planning on using any heat in there during the winter, i am testing its insulation properties as i type this with a simple lamp. Just curious.

 

Thanks! Oh yea, could be. She did have a few darker feathers than the others.

 

Thanks! Nope, it ain't going anywhere either, its heavy.

 

Brian, that's "SUPER" nice! . Someday I want to have some chickens as well. I'll keep your idea on the back burner!

 

Thanks!

They will be free ranging.

 

I felt really bad one day for a Chicken, I was renting a place in Connecticut and my landlord, "Whom of which were super people and took great care of their critters", Let her chickens run free range through out her yard and I was sitting on my deck when a Bald Eagle swoooped down and grabbed one of her comets and flew off with it. . I couldn't believe it, and felt so bad for the thing it was squalking and flopping as far as I could follow it up in the air. I'm sure death wasn't far behind. I know that's nature but Dam!!!

 

Yup, that's something one must prepare for, loss. The coop is built like a tank, so night predators won't get in. I just added a motion detector light out there. Can't tell just yet, but hoping there's at least one rooster in the flock. They will fight to the death to protect the hens as well as crow a warning signal spotting any raptures which the hens will take cover while free ranging. This breed will be large. Most hawks would have a tough time but owls and eagles might get lucky.

 

Possible roaster for the GTG??

 

Looks great buddy! Hoping to someday have 6 chickens of my own, I love fresh eggs!