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Posted: 8/28/2014 11:09:55 AM EDT
[#1]
Well, since we just started last night, didn't get a lot done yet. Raining today, so probably won't get more done until Friday.
My son painting the floor:  Running the entire operation on generator power!  Got the two main wall built. Window framed in for the SE facing window:  My son painting a re-claimed door that will be used for this project:  That is all for now. UPDATE: Going to keep this reply going with structure pics. **Oh, before all the haters (that probably have only watched This Old House and never got off their a$$ and actually done anything themselves) start spitting Cheetos at their screen, I know it isn't framed "properly". I started building small sheds like this years ago because it saves lumber. It may only be a board here, one there, but I can save about $75 in lumber and I have never had a problem with strength. Habits from my days of super poor, I guess. Still try to save where I can.** Insulated the floor:  Kiddo helping again! Screwing down the top section of floor OSB:  Started about an hour before lunch, this is as far as we got before the Mrs called us for dinner:  Starting to get OSB up. The board on the roof is just a bracing board that will come off.  That is all for now. Taking a water break. Hoping to have the roof framed before I call it a day. |
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Posted: 8/28/2014 11:10:28 AM EDT
[#2]
reserve for pics.
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Posted: 8/28/2014 2:13:02 PM EDT
[#3]
Updated for pics ^^^^^^
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Posted: 8/28/2014 7:27:39 PM EDT
[#4]
Watching as I need to build one for next spring. Going to try my hand at raising a few birds for eggs.
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Posted: 8/28/2014 8:51:21 PM EDT
[#5]
May I suggest a good door.
Three layer of ply, through bolted with larger washers to another 2x4. 
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Posted: 8/28/2014 9:22:35 PM EDT
[#6]
Dam and I thought two neihborhood dogs getting a pair of barred rock hens out of mine was bad....
Dude you have a bear in your freaking chicken coop!! |
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Posted: 8/28/2014 10:24:16 PM EDT
[#7]
 So glad we don't have bears around here.
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Posted: 8/28/2014 10:59:26 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So glad we don't have bears around here. You sure about that? 
OST |
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Posted: 8/28/2014 11:02:19 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You sure about that? OST Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: So glad we don't have bears around here. You sure about that? OST  |
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Posted: 8/28/2014 11:20:37 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: May I suggest a good door. http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/2c883ac58e0c6d6f88228ef7b090726f_zps6faa4e9d.jpg http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/fdd6c46eb921e35380f908e32fb08a46_zps80d86ea7.jpg http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/688dd0c0c31c98cc1cabfe65ed7ee9dc_zps7986a755.jpg Three layer of ply, through bolted with larger washers to another 2x4. http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/602ff406abdc7dc598792a2dac81448b_zps86d9d6b6.jpg Nice upgrade on the door. If I might suggest something, you may want to add some removeable bear spikes around the doors and windows. Those critters keep coming around once they know what's inside.
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Posted: 8/29/2014 5:58:59 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: May I suggest a good door. http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/2c883ac58e0c6d6f88228ef7b090726f_zps6faa4e9d.jpg http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/fdd6c46eb921e35380f908e32fb08a46_zps80d86ea7.jpg http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/688dd0c0c31c98cc1cabfe65ed7ee9dc_zps7986a755.jpg Three layer of ply, through bolted with larger washers to another 2x4. http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/flytosail3/602ff406abdc7dc598792a2dac81448b_zps86d9d6b6.jpg |
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Posted: 8/29/2014 6:23:08 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Well, one was actually shot about 7 miles from here a few years ago! Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
So glad we don't have bears around here. You sure about that?
OST We have Black Bear commuting down the Palisades Parkway into Fort Lee, NJ. (just across the G. Washington Br. from Manhattan) I almost killed mamma and 2 cubs with my truck several years back. 
OP - Its looking like you're going to have a killer - coop. Good luck. Enjoy the little guy as much as possible....it goes SO fast! |
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Posted: 8/31/2014 2:33:34 PM EDT
[#13]
well, been raining since we did what we did. yesterday all we got done was leveling the platform. storming out now.
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Posted: 8/31/2014 10:54:00 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
well, been raining since we did what we did. yesterday all we got done was leveling the platform. storming out now.
Curious, what's the story on that JD [I think] mower next to your sawhorses? |
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Posted: 9/1/2014 12:04:56 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Curious, what's the story on that JD [I think] mower next to your sawhorses? Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: well, been raining since we did what we did. yesterday all we got done was leveling the platform. storming out now. Curious, what's the story on that JD [I think] mower next to your sawhorses? |
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Posted: 9/1/2014 12:09:38 AM EDT
[#16]
Find a small PTO generator and make a portable generator.
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Posted: 9/1/2014 12:17:09 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Find a small PTO generator and make a portable generator.  |
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Posted: 9/1/2014 12:31:53 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
with a vertical shaft engine? That limits my choices so badly it seems. Might be better off selling it and buying a horizontal that would be more useful Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Find a small PTO generator and make a portable generator. No make a stand to mount the motor on and support the generator. Direct couple the generator to the motor. |
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Posted: 9/1/2014 5:44:13 PM EDT
[#19]
More pics up with the others!!!
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Posted: 9/1/2014 9:15:40 PM EDT
[#20]
This is how I leave it tonight. All major framing done.
In case you missed it, I added some more pics in the box above with the rest.
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Posted: 9/2/2014 2:40:48 PM EDT
[#21]
Another great thread, `Rat! 
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Posted: 9/2/2014 4:24:50 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Another great thread, `Rat!  |
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Posted: 9/2/2014 9:37:21 PM EDT
[#23]
Had about an hour and a half to work on it tonight after supper.
Finished the OSB, and got the house wrap up. Well, I actually ran out of house wrap, so I had to take out a roll of plastic film to finish getting it rain tight. Have 2 days of stormy weather, so I had to get it as good as I could. The plastic is NOT uv stable, so I need to make sure I get the siding up within the next couple weeks. Next step is the metal roof then window and door. Excuse the night mode. Per my normal habits, I got it done JUST as I could not see anymore!  |
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Posted: 9/2/2014 10:17:19 PM EDT
[#24]
Looking good.
What are you doing for nesting boxes? What are you doing for winter water and heat. We used a old school 100 watt light inside a chimney block with a patio block on top and bottom. Steel watering can goes above it. Real cold we run a 100 watt light bulb for heat. |
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Posted: 9/2/2014 11:25:28 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Looking good. What are you doing for nesting boxes? What are you doing for winter water and heat. We used a old school 100 watt light inside a chimney block with a patio block on top and bottom. Steel watering can goes above it. Real cold we run a 100 watt light bulb for heat. Heat: Heat lamp connected to thermocube (thermostat) plugin. The coop will be insulated R-13 all the way around. Water: I am going to be trying chicken nipples. Actually, the girls use them now, but I have never had them in the winter. If needed, I will be using a small submersible tank heater to keep the water above freezing.
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Posted: 9/6/2014 6:11:59 PM EDT
[#26]
Did a bit more this afternoon. Roof on, door and window in.
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Posted: 9/6/2014 10:32:06 PM EDT
[#27]
Skeeters were surprisingly bad after supper, so I only got some 1x4 trim up before I got driven inside for the evening.
Planning on getting up most if not all the siding up tomorrow, unless the Mrs has other idea for me
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Posted: 9/7/2014 7:41:20 PM EDT
[#28]
Ended up working in th e garden most of today, so only had time to put up 2 sides of siding.
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Posted: 9/7/2014 7:56:34 PM EDT
[#29]
Looks good rat.
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Posted: 9/11/2014 10:47:35 PM EDT
[#30]
Insulated tonight. R13 all the way around.
Sorry, no pic tonight.
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Posted: 9/12/2014 6:07:59 AM EDT
[#31]
One issue you may have is with the in-swing door.
On a small room/house you use up a lot of valuable floor space for the door to operate. An out-swing door may be a better choice. An easy fix before the siding is completed. |
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Posted: 9/12/2014 10:19:21 AM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: One issue you may have is with the in-swing door. On a small room/house you use up a lot of valuable floor space for the door to operate. An out-swing door may be a better choice. An easy fix before the siding is completed.  |
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Posted: 9/12/2014 12:04:14 PM EDT
[#33]
OK, on my laptop so I can give a better update.
We were sitting here wondering why our 21 week old chickens show NO sign of laying yet, when chickens we have gotten from the same breeder were typically laying by now. We were also talking about if we were going to go artificial light to get more eggs (we are, at least for a while) going into winter, and my son had the idea that since it is so dark in the horse trailer they are in now that they need more light.  Why didn't I think of that???? Since that revelation, I am working on getting the inside ready and the chickens in before I finish the outside siding. Insulated last night, hope to do the interior plywood today, and have the girls in by the end of the weekend if all goes well.
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Posted: 9/14/2014 9:52:51 PM EDT
[#34]
Worked to get the coop usable today. Not done, but usable.
Pics!  55 gallon barrel of feed fits perfectly behind the door (by design). I found a 55 gallon barrels holds 6 bags of feed perfectly.  Shelving for bedding. It is above the nest boxes.  Buckets from left to right: feed, oyster shells, water. Underside of water bucket has 2 chicken water nipples. The ONLY way to water your chickens! Notice flaps at approx 45* angles over buckets to prevent chickens from sitting on them.  Making themselves at home!  |
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Posted: 9/14/2014 9:56:20 PM EDT
[#35]
Looks good!
You might end up with them roosting on your shelf up there at night. They like the highest spot in the coop |
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Posted: 9/14/2014 11:39:05 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Looks good! You might end up with them roosting on your shelf up there at night. They like the highest spot in the coop |
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Posted: 9/15/2014 6:46:38 AM EDT
[#37]
Nice build!
What did you do for ventilation? |
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Posted: 9/15/2014 11:56:58 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Nice build! What did you do for ventilation? |
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Posted: 9/15/2014 12:56:11 PM EDT
[#39]
You are going to have problems without ventilation. The window doesn't count as it doesn't help with air exchange close to the floor.
If your birds have respiratory issues remember this. You would be surprised the amount of cold that an acclimated chicken can easily withstand with only a windbreak to get behind. You may want to consider some vents close to the floor especially since there will be plenty of room for them to get off the floor. The solid floor will eventually be a problem even if you change litter frequently. Raising chickens isn't always simple. There's a learning curve. We raise about 200 in chicken tractors. I believe that even if we were way up north, I'd still use tractors and just wrap them in the winter. Good luck. ETA: Just read post above this one. The window and screen door will not be sufficient. The screen door will have to be closed at night. Just put your vents in now. They will help slow the rotting of the floor. |
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Posted: 9/15/2014 1:43:54 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: You are going to have problems without ventilation. The window doesn't count as it doesn't help with air exchange close to the floor. If your birds have respiratory issues remember this. You would be surprised the amount of cold that an acclimated chicken can easily withstand with only a windbreak to get behind. You may want to consider some vents close to the floor especially since there will be plenty of room for them to get off the floor. The solid floor will eventually be a problem even if you change litter frequently. Raising chickens isn't always simple. There's a learning curve. We raise about 200 in chicken tractors. I believe that even if we were way up north, I'd still use tractors and just wrap them in the winter. Good luck. ETA: Just read post above this one. The window and screen door will not be sufficient. The screen door will have to be closed at night. Just put your vents in now. They will help slow the rotting of the floor. |
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Posted: 9/15/2014 10:00:29 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Forgot to mention the big chicken opening that is floor level that will be open on all but the coldest days/nights of winter (-20 and such). That with the top of the window open will not be sufficient? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
You are going to have problems without ventilation. The window doesn't count as it doesn't help with air exchange close to the floor. If your birds have respiratory issues remember this. You would be surprised the amount of cold that an acclimated chicken can easily withstand with only a windbreak to get behind. You may want to consider some vents close to the floor especially since there will be plenty of room for them to get off the floor. The solid floor will eventually be a problem even if you change litter frequently. Raising chickens isn't always simple. There's a learning curve. We raise about 200 in chicken tractors. I believe that even if we were way up north, I'd still use tractors and just wrap them in the winter. Good luck. ETA: Just read post above this one. The window and screen door will not be sufficient. The screen door will have to be closed at night. Just put your vents in now. They will help slow the rotting of the floor. I guess to follow up the others here, I don't think you can have too much ventilation. Here is mine in northern MN, 
Completely uninsulated, no heat/lamps/etc, and the "windows" you see on the front are just covered in hardware cloth. Ventilation for the coop, and the birds sit just fine toward the rear of the coop on their perch. |
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Posted: 9/16/2014 12:54:36 AM EDT
[#42]
Interesting. I have never had problems with the amount of ventilation I used here in any other chicken coops I have built (2), but I always have no more than 6-8 birds in coops this size.
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Posted: 9/16/2014 1:18:44 AM EDT
[#43]
Looks good Rat!
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Posted: 9/16/2014 7:46:44 AM EDT
[#44]
I would add vents to the roof or at the top, I learned that ventilation is more important than insulation, especially when they start laying/crapping in there. You're not trying to make it warm in there, as you won't have that many chickens to heat it, they also don't heat up interiors like we do, they just heat up their feather mass..
If that was your plan, you should have made the building smaller, with eternal ports for the eggs. I would also re hang the door, and add a sheet of pvc (get it at lowes 4x8 sheet bathroon panelling)to the floor. That OSB wont last long if it gets wet/moldy/mildew. They PVC is great when cleaning out the coop in the spring. ETA do they have a place to roost about the nesting boxes? I forgot that on mine and they started roosting in the nest, which became a mess. |
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Posted: 9/16/2014 7:50:50 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Looks good Rat! Yes is sure does. 
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Posted: 9/16/2014 9:35:48 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I would add vents to the roof or at the top, I learned that ventilation is more important than insulation, especially when they start laying/crapping in there. You're not trying to make it warm in there, as you won't have that many chickens to heat it, they also don't heat up interiors like we do, they just heat up their feather mass.. If that was your plan, you should have made the building smaller, with eternal ports for the eggs. I would also re hang the door, and add a sheet of pvc (get it at lowes 4x8 sheet bathroon panelling)to the floor. That OSB wont last long if it gets wet/moldy/mildew. They PVC is great when cleaning out the coop in the spring. ETA do they have a place to roost about the nesting boxes? I forgot that on mine and they started roosting in the nest, which became a mess. The strategy behind insulating is to capture and retain solar energy. I have the coop positioned to maximize morning sun in the window/door to warm up the inside, and it works VERY well. When I went out Sunday morning to work on it, as it was 45* outside, I walk in and it was almost HOT in there after 2 hours of sunlight. Definitely too hot for how I was dressed! I didn't have that kind of effect before I insulated. The floor is painted with an exterior house paint (same stuff as the door, actually) for waterproofing. I expect it will have to be redone every year or two. Had a bad experience with the bathroom paneling and snowy boots  . Was going to put down treaded 3/4 ply like I have done in the past, but I priced it up . Dang that stuff has gone up! I plan on putting down that deck renew stuff, but we are not going to town right now (bugging in) and I needed the girls in there. Working with what we have on hand!As far as roosting, my girls are weird in that they LOVE metal. Don't know why, but they love roosting on the feed barrel (which gets covered in shit). I have a 2x4 hung so they can roost on that as well. ETA: Reason I wanted it so "big" is that from past experience, I REALLY like having all the chicken stuff IN the coop. Not just what they are using NOW, but storage. Kind of like a mini barn. |
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:16:55 PM EDT
[#47]
Things have been busy, so didn't have much time lately.
This afternoon, I did the trim/siding on the window side, put up fencing and poultry net. Gave the girls a 25' square area to run around in.   |
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