The Cottage Coop
My youngest was coming up to her first birthday when I started building this coop. I was inspired by a recent farm stay holiday with the family. I think I have always wanted to keep chickens deep down though. After a bit of Googling I thought- sure...I can do this! I can learn to use a drill, clamp, nail gun and educate myself on screws, timber, MDF and so on.
So it took about 5 weeks to complete...working everyday for about 5-6 hrs in total whilst bubba slept! Thankfully she was a wonderful napper at the time (minimum 2 hour blocks) so I could a) consider starting the project, b) work on the project and c) finish the project! But I also could not have done it without the many many coop photos and instructions available online. There is still a little to finish off, for example, I need to paint that nesting box and I need to make a second nesting box. All in good time... probably when I am forced to when my 12 chickens all start laying! Anyway it is a 99% finished chicken coop! Scroll down to see how the coop was constructed from an old cubby house and a list of great sites that helped me to build this coop. |
Building the Coop.
Part 1: It all started with a very neglected little wooden cubby house...
Part 1: It all started with a very neglected little wooden cubby house...
Part 2: Building the Coop continued...
Great websites to consult:
Life at Cobble Hill Farm: http://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2011/03/chicken-coop-101-thirteen-lessons-weve.html
The Chicken Chick:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/05/virtual-tour-de-coop.html
How to turn a Playhouse into an Enchanted Chicken Coop:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-turn-a-playhouse-into-an-enchanted-chicken-coop
But I would advise that you keep the nesting boxes higher than the roost bars based on many people's recommendations. Otherwise the chickens will roost in the box and poop in it.
The Tangled Nest:
http://thetanglednest.com/2010/02/our-urban-chicken-coop-plan/
Life at Cobble Hill Farm: http://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2011/03/chicken-coop-101-thirteen-lessons-weve.html
The Chicken Chick:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2011/05/virtual-tour-de-coop.html
How to turn a Playhouse into an Enchanted Chicken Coop:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-turn-a-playhouse-into-an-enchanted-chicken-coop
But I would advise that you keep the nesting boxes higher than the roost bars based on many people's recommendations. Otherwise the chickens will roost in the box and poop in it.
The Tangled Nest:
http://thetanglednest.com/2010/02/our-urban-chicken-coop-plan/