My Chicken Shack build
Howdy!
I just completed a wheel-less chicken tractor (ok, so I guess that technically makes it a chicken coop, but it will someday have a wheel system installed!) and took a bunch of photos of the process. It was designed to keep three hens happy and safe from the various wildlife in the area that would otherwise try to nom them. 🦅
I'm going to share it here over the length of a few posts for anyone interested! Including mistake fixing, I'd guess this took me around 25-30 hours over the span of a month. Someone who knew what they were doing could likely knock it out in 5-10 hours.
Disclaimer: I'm not a carpenter, roofer, painter, architect, or handyman. A LOT of mistakes were made, and a lot of them were covered up. :p I did have a great time building this, even with all the mistakes and patches. The pullets seem to love their new home, too. My hope here is to inspire others who may have never embarked on a project such as this. If I can do it, almost anyone can!
I don't have any blueprints or schematics for the build. The best I got is this, which looking back I find hilarious. You may have less mistakes and a shorter build time if you plan better than this scribbling, hahaha.
Looks pretty close to the final product, eh? Hah!
Additions I intend to add:
- Windows/shutters to the coop for more breeze during the summer that can close in the winter
- Better insulation in the coop for the winter
- Wheel/axle system on one end and handles on the other so I can tractor it around the yard easier
- Vertical feed storage and water system
- Nameplates for each hen that the kids will design and paint
More photos of the process coming soon!
-Jimerson 🦕
Comments
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Hey Jimerson,
Is there pannelling on the inside for those chickens? Or at least wall paper? I mean, this is so stylish... I am thinking you should go over the top with it :)
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I've almost got the plumbing and HVAC install completed! Think they might want a tv, too?
One requested an escalator up into the coop, but I thought that was a little over the top!
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This looks really great, Jimerson! I love the colour!
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Thanks Ruth! I almost went with Grow Network green but changed my mind last minute.
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So where is the in-ground pool, hot tub and 4-car garage? Your chickens are going to complain - just like in Chicken Run! ;)
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Haha Marc! They'll get an auto-waterer that will have a heating element in the winter.. that's close enough to a hot tub!
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Jimerson, This is Awesome ! - How are your three chickens liking their grand hotel ! - We've got one mostly made, but here's the thing: Once you get these critters, you can't leave for more than a day. - Unless you have Good neighbors willing to care for them. And for the next few years they're out of the country. - Are your 3 hens laying whatever eggs you need ?
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@Jimerson How many birds to you expect to have?
Heather
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They are loving their shack! They aren't laying eggs yet, but from my past experience with 6 layers, 3 is going to be PLENTY!!!
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Just three! I built it to a size that ensure I couldn't let chicken math get the better of me haha. Three is plenty. : )
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You know, my chickens kind of take care of themselves ... to a point, at least. We've got a solar-sensitive automatic coop-door opener; we planned our run size so that they would be fine if they had to stay confined to it, which they do if we go out of town, just in case; and I keep two large feeders and two heated, insulated waterers (these --> https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heated-poultry-waterer?msclkid=08c10fc2fa631ed99e8f52caf695b33f&utmsource=bing&utmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=(ROI)%20Shopping%20-%20Equipment&utmterm=4583451665089911&utm_content=%2450.01%20-%20%24100 ) inside my coop. With all that working together, we could leave for about a week at a time if we had to and I know the hens would be fine. (It is nice to have neighbors who are willing to collect eggs in exchange for getting to keep them, too! ;) )
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Nipple waterers are certainly the way to go, except we can't use those here in our winters. I have heard that even the heated ones can't handle our conditions.
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OMG @Jimerson I'm getting to this thread super late... but how adorable!
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I do love those nipple waterers. I used open waterers for the first couple of years of chicken keeping, and the nipple waterers stay SO much cleaner. It's AWESOME! <3
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This has likely been revised as you planned by now, (2 -3 years hence ...), but one quick way I have found to increase ventilation without letting rain in is to cut out a hole and screw on a simple heat vent register grille, some come with thumb levers to close and open, but all look pretty darned predator proof, are cheap and easy to retrofit. I bet you have built a complete add-on and doubled your flock by this late date! :-)
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Complete add-on and doubled my flock... whaaaaaat that would just have been crazy... 🤣
...but yes, the original build has since expanded into a chicken mansion.
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Welcome to the forum @lloydse!
Please let us know where you are from by posting that in the Introductions section.
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OK, I'm moving in!
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Hi @lloydse I ditto the big welcome from @LaurieLovesLearning
From your comments to Super J, you are going to love it here. Definitely do an intro...
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So then, just how is building & doubling your flock crazy? Isn't that, um, normal?
This meme is not mine, but it fits all too well the mindset of chicken folks, me included...my husband saw this and sent it to me. 😏
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@LaurieLovesLearning You would not believe how much my husband and I resemble that Meme. Not in looks of course. LOL
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Hey @Jimerson this looks amazing! Love the yellow happy sunshine color. It’s very sturdy. Oh how lovely and happy you’ve made those hens. Do they follow you around the yard when let out?
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They do follow me around, and I'm sure it has nothing to do with the meal worms that occasionally fall out of my pocket!
Here's an updated photo with the expansion. Some of the paint has faded and it's seen it's fair share of hail storms, but it's as sturdy as ever!
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@Jimerson Love your initial idea and plans and all the through additions, etc. You have definitely inspired me!
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It sincerely brightens my day to hear that. I look forward to seeing your build someday. : ) Please sure to to @ me when you post it!
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@Jimerson Glad it brightened your day! But, I truly want to try this and you will be given credit! (along with a picture lol)
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@Jimerson so cool, thanks for sharing!
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@Jimerson the structural outcomes are brilliant. We get hail here as well, yet there are no holes or damages so congratulations! I’m certain your darlings absolutely love you!
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