Building the ladder

This is my solution for the ladder. Its a 2x4 with 1x1 for steps.

Im hopping it is not too steep...

Some closer pictures of how I mounted it. (The cut is a 45 degree cut)

The piece nailed to the latter is the extra from the cut.

It slide in perfectly!

First adventure outside!

OE was the adventures one this time. Josie enjoyed the window. 

Looks like they found a "mama"

Stain the coop!

I was able to use some red wood stain from a friend to protect the wood... 

I need some white paint, wire around the run and some trim and the girls will be ready to move in!

I made the door larger its now 12x12 to cater to "winner winner" and her soon to be large thighs. 

 Back side with the blue painter tape still on.

Im trying to figure out how step is too steep for the ladder to get them from the run to the coop....  

Ill see if I can figure something out. 

The best way to get wood off a pallet!

What breed is this?

Looks kin to Grizz....

Tail feathers!

Grizz is growing up so fast! :( He sprouted tail feather today!

Hobby = Chickens (Building the coop)

My coop is build from recycled wood. Mostly from pallets I found around town. Here is a side almost complete. I recommend borrowing a nail gun and compressor. Those things are amazing! I found a piece of glass/ plastic from a buddies work they were tossing to make my window. 

Here is the roost... At first I had a 1x1.... then got educated on some forms at http://www.backyardchickens.com Now my coop sports a 2x4 roost.

Windows are not easy to install... I hope this picture helps someone. 

I have found an even better way to get wood from pallets. It take about 2 min per pallet... Take your saw and cut the wood off the pallet. AMAZING. No more back breaking work for me. Why on why did I not think of this weeks ago!!

Almost done. Taking a break for the day. 

My door is 7x7 and I started getting nervouse about it... So I asked the community at backyardchickens.com about the size of my door and they said at least a 12x12 if you have a Buff Orpingtons. Click here for my post.

Hobby = Chickens (Chicks)

Grizz is always the first to poke her head out and see what going on. Just cleaning the cage grizz... relax (As a new flock owner im very impresed and taken back by the amount of poop these little things can produce!)

Calm and quit "Winner winner" After a week they have grown so much already! There wing feathers are quickly coming in. I even saw a tail feather this morning!

Grizz is the first one to check out the roost. She has no fear. 

Hobby = Chickens (Building the coop)

The run is done! I added a door on a hinge to let girls in the yard. I also put a coat of kilts so I can paint it. 

My wife is getting tired of not parking in the garage... so to the back yard it goes!

Hobby = Chickens (Chicks)

Not done with the coop yet but caught wind of a local farm supply store getting a lot of baby chicks in stock! 

Reese and Fin introducing themselves.

 

For the first time publicly. Ladies and gentlemen... THE GIRLS!

Standing at 3" predicted to be the biggest of the bunch. Our Buff Orpington Mrs.Winner Winner

The loud month of the flock is a Black Sex-link named Josie. 

The sassy Red Sex-link called "OE" (Or over easy)

The courage bold explorer is our rhode island red called Grizz (We are Memphis grizzlies fans)

I think Josie looks more like grizz

But my son started calling the black sex-link Josie from the moment he saw her.

 This is their first home... Its a borrowed cage and lighting. 

I hooked up a digital thermometer and realized the cage would not keep it warm enough. (See next picture)

So I covered it with card board, left over shingles and tin foil. I also added a "Cluck cam" ip camera to keep an eye on them while im out.  (Had it laying around from a previous hobby...)

The chicks cost around $3 per. 5lbs of starter feeds was around $3 the feeder and waterier was also around $3.

Hobby = Chickens (Building the coop)

I could not find a cheap way to do a roof.. So I went bought a pack of shingles for $18 and roofing nails for $2. I used a hand saw to cut them. (Youtube roofing a dog house for some good videos)

Im rebuilding the run... I did not like how I did it the first time 

This is the back. The two hinge doors ($.49 per hinge!) will make for easy access to eggs, food and water. 

The left side for food at water.

Notice the extra slots at the bottom! Its a pallet with most of the boards taken out! I covered the floor and the very bottom with wire mesh. The extra feed and chicken poo will fall into roasting pans for easy cleaning and composting!

 The right side for eggs.

This is the nest box... I have two that are stack able. The also come out of the coop and the bottoms pull out for easy cleaning. (They are 12x12

Hobby = Chickens (Building the coop)

Breaking apart the pallets was more difficult than I thought... A hammer claw breaks the wood... Some with a screw driver and hammer... 

But I found the secret must have weapon... at around $8 is the wonder bar by stanley. 

This thing is amazing... Its still a lot of work but this beauty is worth the cost.

After getting really good and stripping the pallets I used the already framed pallet and put 2x4s as the legs. I did not want to bed over every time I had to get eggs or clean the coop so it was a must for it to be off the ground. I also did not want it to be so high that it would stick over my privacy fence.

Since I am recycling the wood some of it had to be doctored with wood glue and clamps.

Hobby = Chickens (Building the coop)

First things first... My goals:

I want a low maintenance easy to clean coop. 

Less poop more coop.

I want it to look halfway decent. 

I wanted to get a few chickens but don't want to spend much money... 

So I employed child labor tactics! 

I also saved money by finding most of the wood to build my coop. 

The hot spots for finding free pallets include: Paint stores, local hardware stores and home building sites. (our lowes and home depot keep their pallets locked up) I recommend getting permission before nabbing the free wood... 

I found a great pallet that was already framed out! Less work for me! It also helped me add a cool feature that every chicken coop should have. More on that later.

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