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

In the being of this thread I have my build starting on page 1.

The reason it's off the ground is so I could use the space underneath as run space, lessening the overall footprint of the run. It's perfect height for a wheel barrel to wheel in.

Ventilation is key, and somewhat lacking in our coop. I did add some more after the fact. Ventilation is important during the winter against frost bite allowing the damp air to move out. Chickens poo & breath create a damp environment. Allowing air movement without any drafts hitting the chickens is key.

Unless your having a dirt floor, adding linoleum flooring will be much appreciated, topped with straw and or wood shavings. Makes cleanup a breeze.

Chickens mostly poo on their roosts. Making a "poop shelf" is one of the best things I did in the coop. The rest of the floor stays very clean.

They tend to be better suited for the cold weather than the heat.

During your build, keep any openings under a 1/2" unless using hardware cloth over windows etc. Weasels can easily get into a coop with any space bigger than that.

Raccoons are super smart and can figure out doorknobs, latches, hooks, etc. Use more complicated latches or carabiners through the hardware latches.

Any questions please ask away. I'll take more pictures.....

 

Latches and hardware cloth over windows

 

Cool! Good selection!

 

I'll try to get pictures this week. Mines just a plain jane model... I've got to roosting bars... the feeder... the waterer... and two nesting boxes in the coop. I don't have any windows. Just both eves are wide open except with wire mess on the front side now (the coons learned they could climb and enter through that... ...) Its got a metal roof... I put most of my effort in the chicken run area... to try to make it safe as possible.... since I had problems with predators penetrating it in the past to get in... But my predators consist of coyotes, foxes, coons, bobcats and roaming dogs... with three main as coons, foxes and the dogs....

 

Getting closer... I need to get shorter roofing screws.... but these will hold until then...fun trying to hit the conduit........

 

I was just looking at the possibilities of a second round of meat birds... not available till after at least July 15th... ... can’t believe that ... I’ll have to check around the first of August anyways...

 

Yup, folks buying up chickens big time right now. Try Meyers hatchery?

 

Just looked them up for the giggles. I’ve heard them through a couple of the YouTube channels... supposed to be a good distributor... I guess I’ll have to keep and eye on this if I’m gonna do a second batch. Especially since I’ve got the chicken tractor about done...

 

Wow! Our local tsc had some in stock on Thursday, but likely out now.

 

Yea... pretty amazing. I’m wondering how many “new” owners will be over whelmed by just the whole process of just the egg layers...

How is your flock doing? Egg Production going pretty good? You still have the rooster?

 

Yea, hopefully these new owners do their research. Definitely good to see people getting back to their roots.

The flock is doing good! Yup, the roster (quite aggressive) is blocking thr front door as I type this.




I know many won't keep roosters around, but they are very important for the flock from what ive seen and learned. He will find a plentiful food source when they free range and make a cackle noise bringing his ladies to feast. He constantly watches the perimeter, does a growl like noise if anything is around that could be dangerous and the girls either hide or freeze in position.
He rallies the late comers into the coop as the sun goes down and "knows" if 1 or 2 are far away. He'll call them and they come. He also fears nothing. He'll send our Chesapeake bay retriever running lol! Lastly, he's quite thr ladies man, whether they like it or not. Typically when he calls them when there is food around, he gets pretty frisky, I guess he's at least taking them out to dinner first.

So, many of the eggs are fertilized im guessing, should we need to let some of the broody hen's sit on them we'd likely see chicks in a couple weeks and we can afford to do it because we're getting 6 dozen a week anyway, which usually take care if our co employees & owners egg needs.

 

I've got 8 girls... I'm getting from 5 to 9 eggs a day...

 

We've got 13 girls