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- Thread starter DanC
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Started on Cluckingham Palace today. The missus finally decided she wants some chooks, so I decided to build a rather bulletproof coop. I have tons of scrap lumber from two deck rebuild projects (mine and my neighbor’s). So far, the total expense is 56 3” screws. I spliced enough 4x4 scraps together to make 8 6-foot +/- posts and scavenged two 8’ 2x8’s and two 6’ 2x8’s for the bottom band. Designing on the fly, so who knows what this thing is gonna look like, but I’m pretty sure it’s gonna have a hillbilly twist to it. Will likely get chicks in March next year, so should have plenty time to build the coop and run, as well as test it for varmint resistance before we put lit baby chickens in it. Will try to get progress pics tomorrow.
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we had coons and a fox here lately that killed a few full grown
Don't forget snakes I had a big python in my pen a few weeks back I was wondering why the chick's were out cheeping at the fence to be let out lol.
Atleast 2m
Atleast 2m
Dats a whole lotta nope rope, mate. I’m not took worried about the little rat snakes and the king snakes aren’t gonna bother with chickens anyway. Rat and chicken snakes both prefer the eggs and newly hatched chicks because they can’t swallow anything much larger. They don’t chew, they just kinda crawl around their dinner.
We definitely get coons and possums. I’ve relocated a couple coons to the nearby WMA with the blessing of a game warden. Neighbors security cam caught a ‘yote in front of my tractor shed. I’m sure there’s plenty more around. If they get into this bomb shelter turned chicken coop, not much I can do to stop them and (not) having chickens may be a foregone conclusion. The grandkids may wind up with an extremely overbuilt playhouse.
Well, so far so good. I still haven’t bought any lumber. It’s ALL scraps. However,? I’m going through 3” screws pretty quickly. Lost count, so I’ll just say about 200 so far, and maybe a couple dozen 2” screws. Gonna switch to the pneumatic nailer for the siding (repurposed decking). Might have to dip into the newer lumber my neighbor gave me for helping with his deck and stairs, but it still won’t cost me anything. Don’t have quite enough leftovers from my deck and the neighbor didn’t replace any of the main framing on his deck. Just the stair risers and a few bits to accommodate a couple mods I made for him.
Here’s what it looks like so far. Quite sturdy despite the number of lap splices in the posts. I hope it cooperates with me and my tractor for relocation to its permanent installation. BTW, the horrible looking diagonals are temporary bracing while I’m squaring it up and for transport. Gotta add several more to make sure I don’t rack it and break something. This puppy’s gettin heavy.
Here’s what it looks like so far. Quite sturdy despite the number of lap splices in the posts. I hope it cooperates with me and my tractor for relocation to its permanent installation. BTW, the horrible looking diagonals are temporary bracing while I’m squaring it up and for transport. Gotta add several more to make sure I don’t rack it and break something. This puppy’s gettin heavy.
This may be the most ambitious chicken coop build I’ve ever tried. The first one I helped build when I was a kid was little more than a log cabin with a tin roof. Now we’re talking about putting a weather vane on top (normally a rooster, right?) with a human silhouette. We love irony and sarcasm. Maybe one of those leaning cowboy silhouettes. Since I have no lumber cost so far, that leaves a little room for some cute (or smartarse, depending on viewpoint) add ons. We found some really cool and cheap programmable automatic doors on Amazon.
My granddaughter is chomping at the bits for chickens she can name. We’ve suggested “Roast” or “Fried” or “Baking”. She doesn’t think that’s funny. So then came more creative suggestions such as “Fingers”, “Thai Green”, “Chow Mein”, and “Schnitzel”. She didn’t like those either. We thought we raised her to be open minded.
My granddaughter is chomping at the bits for chickens she can name. We’ve suggested “Roast” or “Fried” or “Baking”. She doesn’t think that’s funny. So then came more creative suggestions such as “Fingers”, “Thai Green”, “Chow Mein”, and “Schnitzel”. She didn’t like those either. We thought we raised her to be open minded.
Oh that coupe looks fit for a king man!
How cool are them repurposed windows cool!
Have you seen a picture of my new top floor addition to my coupe of such?
Mrs mum's car canopy is now their roof real hill Billy stuff lol.
Hey I like the cut of your gib man looks like your building it to last!
I remember back when I moved in the house I'm at my wifes mum wanted to buy me some cheap Chinese knockoff pine chicken coupe I kindly declined.
My hardwood coupe is still going strong 8 years on and I expect another 8 years more!
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Friends of mine had turkey's
One was called "Christmas" and the other "thanksgiving"
And my neighbour an orphaned lamb they called "chop"
I'm sort of looking at going to keep chickens or ducks. Definitely like Thai green as a name
One was called "Christmas" and the other "thanksgiving"
And my neighbour an orphaned lamb they called "chop"
I'm sort of looking at going to keep chickens or ducks. Definitely like Thai green as a name
Uh oh, now I feel like I’m behind before I get started. How many chooks you got that you need a two story coop?
Nope, don’t think I’ve seen any photos of your coop at all. Several photos where “the girls” photobombed a brewing shot, but not the coop.
If there’s anything I like about Aussie culture, it’s their way of repurposing stuff until it simply cannot be used anymore. I helped my BIL frame his back veranda with old lumber he got from a barn for the price of removing the barn. For appearance, he put on all new decking and trim, but the used framing saved a bundle. I don’t want to dump a bunch of money into having too many eggs to eat. Seems wasteful. My time is sorta free these days and boredom is making me do some peculiar things.
This is all pressure treated scraps with the exception of a few pieces that don’t need to be. Gonna brace the frame and try to get it to its permanent location today. I think I have plenty of the old decking (5/4 x 6 or 35mm x 150mm) ) to cover the walls, and maybe the roof too, but that would make it too heavy to move without damaging it. Kinda thick but defo should deter critters.
Gotta set the crossties first and level them. The tractor should make short work of that. The ties (sleepers) won’t stop mice or rats from going under it, but maybe keep larger varmints out. Don’t wanna cut em because they’re hell on a chain saw. The more I think about it the smarter a solid floor sounds despite the cleaning issues that presents. I have a sheet of OSB and will still need a bit more if I want to keep the roof light, too. Looking around for some used metal roofing just for keeping with the rustic hillbilly theme.
Like you, I looked at most of the cheap coops at the farm supply places and said NOPE! Way too expensive for the quality and size. What they call a 6 chicken coop looks awfully cramped to me.
One more aspect is to add amusement to the run for the girls. If they can’t free range, they’ll get bored and start pecking each other. They can be quite merciless when one is injured. Often folks think something else killed one when it was actually the rest of the flock.
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You gotta come to my part of the world.
When you and the aussies think it cannot be used anymore, we'll think of a use.
Africa is the ultimate recycling continent
Some of the lumber I’m using is 40+ years old. I get asked all the time “why are you keeping that stuff?” Well, case in point…..You gotta come to my part of the world.
When you and the aussies think it cannot be used anymore, we'll think of a use.
Africa is the ultimate recycling continent
Rafters on (made from old studs from original construction of my home (1975) that I accumulated in my recent inside renovations ). Temporary bracing done.
Kinda cold working outside today. Around 45F with crazy wind. Blew the saw horses over twice. Kept a fire going in the little wood stove in the background. That was made in 1894. Eventually I’ll install inside the shop. Great way to get rid of cutoffs and unusable scraps.
What'll keep the critters from digging under and getting in? Some buried chicken wire I guess?
Plan A is that it’s gonna get a floor after I get the frame level. I’ve got hangers for the joists, so didn’t have to have them in yet. I’m a little short for 2x6’s, too. The front and rear will have crossties against the band and some cinder blocks on the ends. Leaving the floor out lets me seal up around the bottom from the inside. Then I’ll put in the joists and floor
Plan B is to surround the bottom band with ties and just leave a dirt floor. Pros and cons for a hard floor versus dirt. Our coop when I was a kid was just a dirt floor in a log cabin with big rocks around the outside to keep big critters out. Never had more than chicken wire on the run, but it was also within 20 feet of our dog pen. Hunting dogs, and lots of ‘em. Not many critters gonna get near that. Had a few big rats, but I don’t remember EVER seeing a nope rope in the coop. I figure the smell of creosote from the ties might ward off digging critters and maybe a few insect pests as well. If not, they’ll have to dig a while to get past the tie. Kinda playing it by ear.
Moving day tomorrow if I can get the pad leveled enough. The good part about surrounding it with ties will be the option of leveling the coop and fastening it to the ties with lag screws. Then I can concentrate on the roof and siding. Will finish the carpentry in its permanent location.
Many years ago I did a stint of fencing for a Dutch company here in Tasmania Australia they grow barrasica seeds on little country farms on the south end of the Island Tasmania my job was to fence the seed crops off so the possums rabbits ect don't get in and eat up all them cabbage broccoli cauliflowers ect.
One trick I still use is to fold the fencing wire out along the ground 1 foot and use the bottom stringer wire at ground level to tie it off and keep it in place. An electric wire went at the top of the fence so nothing could dig in easy and climb over without getting a zap.
One trick I still use is to fold the fencing wire out along the ground 1 foot and use the bottom stringer wire at ground level to tie it off and keep it in place. An electric wire went at the top of the fence so nothing could dig in easy and climb over without getting a zap.
I heard that chickens like to peck at the dirt, need sand to help digest food? A layer of wire fence buried a few inches below the ground and complete to the edges will keep anything hunting chickens out. A wood floor, maybe not as safe, as many critters will gnaw through wood. Or maybe chicken wire laid down atop the joists before the flooring? Dunno, not trying to take over the project. just thinking out loud.
You know: Engineers always search for problems to solve. It's a disease, no cure.
And not suggesting RFID tags for the chickens to open that automatic door either...
Here ya go Roadie
Car canopy on top plenty of ventilation going strong foe atleast 8 years If not more.
All that cost me $0 hard wood was old stair posts ply was from my old work they were gunna chuck it out. Canopy mother in law.
Ya see I use cardboard boxed to catch the chook poo I add that to the compost easy way of transferring.
Seed feeder the back one is one I made the chook has to stick its head in.
Mines not closed in so get some wild birds in.
The feeder up close is similar but better its usually mounted higher but i got little chick's ATM that won't reach.
That feeder stops alot of waste the chooks can't drag the feed out onto the ground. The wild birds can't get to it along with the rats.
I've planted shaded tree fruit ect in the run mulberries bush Basil bannan and passionfruit vines all help to keep the baking sun off em.
Car canopy on top plenty of ventilation going strong foe atleast 8 years If not more.
All that cost me $0 hard wood was old stair posts ply was from my old work they were gunna chuck it out. Canopy mother in law.
Ya see I use cardboard boxed to catch the chook poo I add that to the compost easy way of transferring.
Seed feeder the back one is one I made the chook has to stick its head in.
Mines not closed in so get some wild birds in.
The feeder up close is similar but better its usually mounted higher but i got little chick's ATM that won't reach.
That feeder stops alot of waste the chooks can't drag the feed out onto the ground. The wild birds can't get to it along with the rats.
I've planted shaded tree fruit ect in the run mulberries bush Basil bannan and passionfruit vines all help to keep the baking sun off em.
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Went with plan C.
I cut two of the ties to 63” and left the other two full length at 102”. The coop is 72x96(6’x8’). That left me with 4.5” ledge front and back, and 3” ledge on the ends. Gonna screw some blocking down to the ties on the inside and then through the band into the blocking. The ties prevent any ground contact with wood that’s pressure treated anyway. Ticks/fleas aren’t gonna wanna crawl across all that creosote either. We may yet pour concrete around the perimeter of the ties. I’m fairly confident nothing’s going to dig under the ties, but I may also add a little incentive for critters to reconsider messin’ with my girls.
Got the frame on the pad and timbers. Gotta do something for roofing. Talked myself outta trying to do a shaker shingle roof because I figure the roof is gonna make it completely too heavy. Trying to find some used sheet metal now. Gonna use vertical 5/4x6!decking (yep, used stuff from the neighbor’s deck) for the siding and rip some of that to close any gaps between the siding. This thing is gonna be damn near bullet proof. Again, an engineer fixing a problem no one else knew existed, as Don pointed out.
Chickens are basically scavengers. They’ll eat stuff a buzzard won’t touch. And yes, they LOVE pecking in the dirt, mostly to resupply their gizzard with gravel. They don’t have teeth to chew with, so next best thing in evolution is a big muscle in their throat to use small gravel to crush things they’d otherwise be unable to process. They’re actually pretty good at defending themselves from rats, too. It’s a bold rat that goes into a chicken coop with more than two chickens.They also love scratching/wallowing in dry dirt for dust naya
I thought about (and have) a galvanized metal tray to go under the roost. Just gotta add a trap door on the back side. I can run the girls out into the run, clean up, and restore the chips/shavings.
Another time I’m glad I bought a tractor with a front end loader. Made easy work of moving the coop.
I cut two of the ties to 63” and left the other two full length at 102”. The coop is 72x96(6’x8’). That left me with 4.5” ledge front and back, and 3” ledge on the ends. Gonna screw some blocking down to the ties on the inside and then through the band into the blocking. The ties prevent any ground contact with wood that’s pressure treated anyway. Ticks/fleas aren’t gonna wanna crawl across all that creosote either. We may yet pour concrete around the perimeter of the ties. I’m fairly confident nothing’s going to dig under the ties, but I may also add a little incentive for critters to reconsider messin’ with my girls.
Got the frame on the pad and timbers. Gotta do something for roofing. Talked myself outta trying to do a shaker shingle roof because I figure the roof is gonna make it completely too heavy. Trying to find some used sheet metal now. Gonna use vertical 5/4x6!decking (yep, used stuff from the neighbor’s deck) for the siding and rip some of that to close any gaps between the siding. This thing is gonna be damn near bullet proof. Again, an engineer fixing a problem no one else knew existed, as Don pointed out.
Chickens are basically scavengers. They’ll eat stuff a buzzard won’t touch. And yes, they LOVE pecking in the dirt, mostly to resupply their gizzard with gravel. They don’t have teeth to chew with, so next best thing in evolution is a big muscle in their throat to use small gravel to crush things they’d otherwise be unable to process. They’re actually pretty good at defending themselves from rats, too. It’s a bold rat that goes into a chicken coop with more than two chickens.They also love scratching/wallowing in dry dirt for dust naya
I thought about (and have) a galvanized metal tray to go under the roost. Just gotta add a trap door on the back side. I can run the girls out into the run, clean up, and restore the chips/shavings.
Another time I’m glad I bought a tractor with a front end loader. Made easy work of moving the coop.
