My chicken journey started May 2009. I picked up 5 babies (3 and 5 weeks old) from a breeder. First coop: prefab, advertised for 4-6 chickens. Looked cute! Little did I know..... Before the little ones were old enough to go outside I weather proofed the coop, raised it, added shingles and build a covered run. By mid summer it was clear that my 5 heritage breed girls were cramped in coop, the coop was ok for about 3 full sized chickens. By fall I had converted the old 8x10 shed to a coop. I cut windows in, pop door, added roost and nest boxes. By then I had added a chicken that needed a new home. Ready for Wisconsin winter. Added the old run and figured this set up would hold for a couple of years. 6 chickens, large coop, covered run and access to the big yard every day.
Fast forward to February 2018. The old converted shed had a leaky roof, wood was rotting and beyond repair. I also have 9 chickens... After considering options a) buy a shed and convert or b) try to find a premade coop that’s sturdy or c) find someone local that builds coops or is able to build one for me I decided to go with option c.
Local guy, builds ice fishing cabins, chicken coops and runs, hunting blinds, duck houses. The pictures show coop right after set up, after my friends and I customized the inside with flooring, mural on one wall, roosts with poop board, nestboxes. I wanted: walk in coop and run, windows, metal roof, insulation covered with plywood, 2x4 roost (flat side up) pop door that can be opened/closed from outside. Poop board filled with PDZ under roosts- scoop like cat litter, easiest clean up! Run has roof, same as coop, enclosed in 1/2” hardware cloth and has a walk in door as well. Hanging feeder, just ordered a new hanging waterer with larger cups, tree branches at different levels in run. Solar light for dreary days or if I need to go in after dark. To predator proof the coop/run has hardware cloth covered with 16” patio stones all around. The chickens love it, it is super easy to clean and maintain and I think it looks good as well. Took the long road to find out what works and doesn’t work for me but it was worthwhile. This coop should last !!!!!
Fast forward to February 2018. The old converted shed had a leaky roof, wood was rotting and beyond repair. I also have 9 chickens... After considering options a) buy a shed and convert or b) try to find a premade coop that’s sturdy or c) find someone local that builds coops or is able to build one for me I decided to go with option c.
Local guy, builds ice fishing cabins, chicken coops and runs, hunting blinds, duck houses. The pictures show coop right after set up, after my friends and I customized the inside with flooring, mural on one wall, roosts with poop board, nestboxes. I wanted: walk in coop and run, windows, metal roof, insulation covered with plywood, 2x4 roost (flat side up) pop door that can be opened/closed from outside. Poop board filled with PDZ under roosts- scoop like cat litter, easiest clean up! Run has roof, same as coop, enclosed in 1/2” hardware cloth and has a walk in door as well. Hanging feeder, just ordered a new hanging waterer with larger cups, tree branches at different levels in run. Solar light for dreary days or if I need to go in after dark. To predator proof the coop/run has hardware cloth covered with 16” patio stones all around. The chickens love it, it is super easy to clean and maintain and I think it looks good as well. Took the long road to find out what works and doesn’t work for me but it was worthwhile. This coop should last !!!!!
