When we found out we were allowed to keep hens in our rented house in Raleigh, we went straight to work, looking for coops and hen houses. We decided the best idea was to make our own. After looking at many plans and designs, we chose an Amish style barn. It started with a kit from Ebay which contained the brackets.
http://www.2x4basics.com/shed-kits.asp
We spoke to our neighbours, to make sure they were okay with the idea of us keeping hens. Luckily, everyone seemed fine about it and showed interest in the building of the coop. One neighbour all ready keeps hens. We heard they had issues in the past with critters killing their hens, so we were aware to make the coop and run as critter proof as possible. Raccoons, foxes, coyotes, possums, owls, hawks and snakes can all be attracted to a free chicken dinner.
The area at the side of our garden was just scrub land. It used to have an old dog house. Dave removed it and cleared the area of leaves and mulch. It was leveled out to make it flat.
Dave puts 6 posts in the ground and seals them with
concrete to make a level foundation.
The base was built in the garage and was added
to the ground posts. The frame is 4 x 2 pine.
The floor is added on top of the base which
is pressure treated 1 inch plywood.
The sides go up. You can see the metal brackets from the barn kit.
Construction of the frame
Roof bars added
Protection from the rain was needed!
Preparing the sides in the garage.
Sidings are added to the frame.
Upper section added and hole cut for the door.
The Plywood roof panels are added.
The inside
Roof underlay is tacked on the the plywood.
Shingles are added to the underlay. They have to be glued and stapled as nails would be too long, showing through the inside.
David's little helper - A new home for me? Thanks!
Roof completed
Bottom part of the stable door is attached
Door hinges added.
Another Trip to Lowes!
2 Doors - I wanted a stable door, so in the Summer,
I can open the top and leave to bottom shut.
Dave finishing the roof.
Holes for Windows
Pop hole cut in the side.
This is where the girls will enter their run
Finishing the edges of the pop hole
Inside partition is added and shelf at the back for roosts and nest boxes
Starting to paint the inside
Smooth down surfaces with sandpaper
Add Caulk to the edges, this makes them look neater
and also stops bugs living in the gaps
Strips being cut to trim the edge of the coup
Starting to paint the outside, the old colour
is still on the door and long sides in this photo.
Picking the colour was the hardest! We decided on
the colour of our house, so the coop does
not look too out of place.
is still on the door and long sides in this photo.
Picking the colour was the hardest! We decided on
the colour of our house, so the coop does
not look too out of place.
Building the run
Hardware cloth and chicken wire is put on the frame.
The hardware cloth stops raccoons putting their hands in.
Note the bottom part of the posts will be dug in to the ground and
the hardware cloth at the bottom will act as a skirt to stop predators digging in.
Building the nest boxes.
Dave shapes the roof of the nest box.
The run is added and bolted to the side of the coop.
Thanks to Casey and Scott for helping us carry it!
Hardwear cloth and chicken wire on the run.
We added the hardwear cloth after the chicken wire
as we found out that predators can rip wire. So it
needs to be strong to stop them getting in.
Dave builds the deck on front of the coop.
Nest boxes painted and roof added. The paint I used for the
little roof is one of samples of the outside paint - I decided it
was too bright for the whole coop but great for the inside.
A ridge will be added to stop straw falling out and help hens in to the box.
little roof is one of samples of the outside paint - I decided it
was too bright for the whole coop but great for the inside.
A ridge will be added to stop straw falling out and help hens in to the box.
Building the tunnel from the coop to the run
Some fun things I got while shopping with my friend Kim.
We look for interesting bits in Antique and Goodwill shops.
I love the egg collecting basket! $2.00 from a collectible shop.
The white trim painted and nailed on around
the edges. It makes a nice finish.
Dave makes the deck
Nearly Ready!
Dave makes a hen shaped piece of wood for
the top of roof at the front of the house.
Hen decal painted and added to the door.
Lino added to the floor. We got a good deal in Home Depot.
A good quality large off cut was on sale.
Cupboard and worktop added.
The cupboard is for feed storage
Roof put on the run and trim added.
Ladder to pop hole
Inside - this is the back, the door closes to keep hens
separate from the front area.
Pretty handles added to sliding door
This is the mini run to the outside from the back of the coop.
Note the handles so I can open to clean it. It has wire so the
hens cannot get to the front of the coop, just to the outside.
Pine shavings will be on the floor for soft landings!
Finishing touches
All Ready!
Collected 3 beautiful girls from North Durham on 7th April 2013.
They have been vaccinated against Marek's disease and are
certified Avian Influenza and Salmonella free.
Betty, Dallas and Daisy explore their new home.
Betty is a black Cochin, Dallas is an Amerucana
and Daisy is a Plymouth Barred Rock.
We may have to change a few things in the coop,
I think the roosts and nest boxes may be too high,
but the girls will show us their needs and we can
work to their requirements!
More to follow soon.....!
Thanks to the following people -
Our wonderful neighbours, who put up with the building noise and
who with out their agreement, none of this would of happened.
Annette Adaway for all her advice on chicken keeping.
Mark and Julie Pendergrass for the loan of their tools
and truck, we could of not done it with out them.
Kim Deaton for help with furnishings and spotting great stuff in
Antique shops and garage sales. We had some fun road trips!
And of course, Dave, who has worked in the rain, heat, cold and dark to finish the coop. Also putting up with my 'requirements' for my dream hen coop.
