Backyard chicken coop to be built
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I am finalizing the design of a chicken coop for my backyard (to hold typically 6 birds) and thought I'd post here to solicit critique
Several neighbors have coops, plus I've been reading through a variety of backyard chickens websites for ideas, so I think I'm generally on the right track
The odd red stack of rectangles is a play structure placeholder...
The window sashes and the coop door are things I have on hand that I'm incorporating into the design.
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Looks wonderful, you seem to have everything in there & they're going to love it! Please post pictures when the girls arrive.
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Nice looking coop. A few thoughts:
Having those half posts scabbed onto the fence posts doesn't look too good; I think you'd be better off running them to the ground. And the one on the end, hanging in mid-air, is a problem. I'm assuming it is attached to the fence rail - I have a picket fence like that, and those rails do not offer much lateral support - adding that roof load to it will cause it to bow and probably pull out of the fence posts.
You might find it convenient to locate the chicken door between the coop and the pen close to the edge, so you can close it at night from the outside.
So, what will it be, Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshire Reds, White Leghorns, Plymouth Rocks, or some exotic breed?
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Thanks! No idea what kind of chickens we'll get yet. This is our first foray into having our own chickens. We have a good neighbor who's had chickens for a while and kids have been clamoring to have their own for a while
We'll see what's available.Daniel, thanks for the feedback. The extensions would only be scabbed at the existing posts, good idea about them being longer. The one hanging in midair is a result of my shifting the coop around on the site. If it doesn't land at a post, I do plan to put it in the ground. I need to stake it out in the yard and figure out where exactly it lands relative to the fence.
For the chicken door, I was planning to do a string/ pulley device like I saw in a few example coops that would be accessed on the side between the two man doors.
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I'm really lovin mate!!!!
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Thanks Richard!
Construction has begun!
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Awesome mate, keep us posted with pics of some of your details!
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Got a dozen mostly red hens yesterday! I was planning to finish the last few pieces in a more leisurely manner, but me and the family were at Tractor Supply yesterday, and the perfect set of chickens were there at the farm swap. We just couldn't pass them by.
I scrambled to finish the ramps and the ladders in time for evening roosting, while my wife finished the exterior painting and the kids were occupied with bonding with the girls.
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Can't wait to come by for some eggs! Looks like a nice pad and a great brood. Is that bamboo? Nice touch.
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Thanks! Yep, I made the roost out of bamboo. I've been using bamboo for garden fencing and stakes for years, and thought it would be perfect to make a ladder out of. Eggs coming soon!
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And I see you've added a viewing bench - to sit & chat with them! Wonderful!
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great result, I hope dem chickens are happy!
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Thanks! Yeah, everyone is happy
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That turned out very nice!
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Great stuff Andy. Mr Fox can write this one off as he has no hope of a dinner here
I got a great laugh out of this picture,
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