Chicken Coop Construction

[frias]

Hi. We havent done any more construction other than what is on the picture so as far as roosting perches go we havent made any or installed them.

The roof (i hope) wont be an issue. The coop is going to be part of a large walk-in enclosure so hopefully this wont cause any issues.

My boyfriend will be working on it tomorrow and i hope to have an updated picture sometime tomorrow for you. It might even be finished on the outside

It's looking great so far anyway.
I found it much easier to keep the coop clean once all the girls perched. I only use shavings in the nest box now and put newspaper under the perches. Takes 2 minutes to replace paper every day.

[chris]

It's looking great so far anyway.
I found it much easier to keep the coop clean once all the girls perched. I only use shavings in the nest box now and put newspaper under the perches. Takes 2 minutes to replace paper every day.

I find if I just stick news paper under the perch, they shred it and poo all over the floor. Even if it's underneath shavings.. wish they didn't though, as it'd save wood/money with the shavings I use underneath the perch.

Work gets rid of two HUGE bags of shredded paper each week, thinking of using that in their nest boxes..

[paula.berriman]

Hi All

Thought i would update you with our progress. I have attached two photographs of the nearly completed coop. The large open hole you see in the side is now covered and hinged so all we need to do it put the door on and paint it which is my mission for this weekend! I think we are going to paint it in crecote but i cant decide what shade (light brown or dark brown).....any suggestions?

[chris]

The dark is quite dark.. silly as it sounds. lemme see if I have any photos to show you.

[chris]

Before...


After...

[paula.berriman]

Thanks Chris i think we will go for the light brown. Coop looks good by the way :-)

[chris]

Thanks.. unfortunately it's falling to bits, so I'm in the middle of building a new one. In two minds about painting it inside, probably will do - currently have just done the edges.

[Hilary B]

A thought, roof.....
Roofing felt is a favourite hiding place for redmite!

[Jardiniere]

Just a small point - when we built our roosting box (we have a separate nest box for laying) we built in a removable plastic tray which goes just below the roosting bar and this catches about 85% of the poo, then this can be slid out and washed down....we adapted a plan for the box from Poultry House Construction by Michael Roberts.

[paula.berriman]

Hi all.

Thought i would post another update for you. Chicken coop is almost finished. The other half just has to add a door and make a ramp. We have painted the house inside and out with Crecote (light) and it really has set it off nicely. The next task is to clear the alloment and build the enclosure. That hasnt gone quite to plan as i managed to drop a railway sleeper on my ankle yesterday and i have a nice swollen foot to contend with.

What do you all think?

[Albanach]

Looks excellent! Looking at the perches it looks as though they are square edged - apparently it's better if the perches have rounded off edges. I might be mistaken though...

[chris]

Yup, rounding it off will stop the edges causing pressure and in turn sores on their feet!

[ladylaird]

I admire all the work you have put in. It looks fantastic and they are very lucky hens! I have kept bantams for many years and they are a happy and healthy band of girls. However, they live in an old garden shed and nest very happily in cardboard boxes!! Lined with shavings, they are discarded and replaced every 4 weeks. I have never had any trouble with any parasites. Oh, and took the roosting pole down after 18 months as they preferred to use a shelf that was in situ already, about 20 inches off the ground at the back of the shed!! I kept falling over the pole everytime I mucked out anyway!
However you house them, they will be a joy to keep. I waste so much time just watching them pottering around the garden, and of course we have lots of lovely eggs, to say nothing of the manure for the veg garden too!

[Scarlet]

What is the door like? Have you got enough ventillation?

[paula.berriman]

What is the door like? Have you got enough ventillation?

The door (just been attached) is a hinged flap that lifts up. We havent yet put any ventilation holes in it as im a little unsure as to how to go about it. The girls will be housed down our allotment which is fairly open so im a little worried about them getting too cold in the winter. Some advice would be welcome.

Re: perches. We will round off the edges to make them comfortable for the chooks.