Once we determined to maneuver and embrace extra nation residing, the very first thing that got here to my thoughts was we will have chickens! Fortunately I married a person that’s totally on board with most of my loopy concepts and he signed as much as construct me a coop.
I purchased what my good friend known as the hen bible. I began googling and watching reels about chickens. I jumped in with final enthusiasm and I right here I’m now, just a few months down the road, with the chicks formally transferred to their everlasting residence (and now not in the home, which David is thrilled about), and I can let you know with all honesty: it’s simply as enjoyable as I believed it could be!
David’s DIY Hen Coop
I really like our little flock and will simply sit on the market and watch them poke round, chase one another, and discover with curiosity for hours. Now we have the nesting packing containers blocked off with cardboard in the mean time and can open them up to be used as they get nearer to after they start laying eggs. (between 4-6 months of age).
I may depart it right here and simply present footage and brag on David, however in hopes off being somewhat useful for anybody considering constructing their very own coop, listed below are just a few particulars on our course of.
There have been just a few hoops to leap by way of first, like deciding the place to place it, acquiring HOA approval, researching to determine precisely what we wished, after which prepping the positioning. Nonetheless, once I positioned the order for chicks with a hatchery in February for a June supply, it actually pushed us ahead into full throttle mode.
In January, David began researching coops and drawing plans. Collectively we had an inventory of preferences that we outlined as we researched. A few of these included:
- the flexibility to face up contained in the run
- use black wire mesh so we may see into and thru the run extra simply
- to put in a predator apron across the exterior
- construct a Dutch door so we may simply open the highest and throw scraps in
- the nesting packing containers to be accessible from the skin to assemble eggs
- to have a peaked roof versus a lean-to type
- home windows for air flow
- to have a slim decrease door on the again of the coop to maintain shavings within the coop once we open and shut the bigger doorways
- to make it as safe as potential with latches and carabiners
How massive did we wish it?
Properly, you are able to do a calculation primarily based on variety of chickens and sq. footage and we went past that as a result of David will get over bold with constructing initiatives and acquired somewhat carried away. You received’t discover me complaining although; I really like the scale! It’s good to have the additional house. In the event you requested him, he would say if he may do it over, he would most likely make the run greater and the coop smaller.
We used linoleum flooring within the coop for simple clear up. We selected hemp bedding for much less mud and since it’s longer lasting. The one wooden that’s stress handled is the wooden that touches the bottom. Aside from that it’s non stress handled to maintain it protected for the chickens to peck.
We put a fundamental mulch within the run and David constructed a ladder as an alternative of a ramp as a result of the ladder could be a steeper angle and supposedly it’s simpler to scrub. He used plexiglass for the home windows and cheap wooden for the frames. Then over Father’s Day weekend all of us acquired on the market and painted!
The roof is product of galvanized corrugated steel chosen for the aesthetic and since steel roofs final a very long time. It was simple, nevertheless it created gaps in every “wave” so he needed to fill it in with Nice Stuff. If he may do it once more he says would most likely nonetheless do steel however not the wavy steel. He additionally talked about that Carolina Coops has nice movies and recommendation for those who’re trying to construct one your self.
In case you have any questions on it, I’m glad to reply them (AKA: ask David and get you the reply). And I’ll write one other submit with all my hen favorites, as I’ve researched that effectively and we’re beginning to transition them over to their massive lady watering system, feeder, and so on. I’m making an attempt to not get too hooked up to them as a result of wiser individuals have advised me that issues can occur, however I’m not heeding that recommendation very effectively. I positive do love these little fluffballs!
