Oh here we build again! This will probably be a slow update until the foundation is built.
After a 4 year run with chickens in a too small high maintenance coop, I'm going to build a new coop because I just love those fresh eggs annnd the lack of bugs in the yard is worth having them around by itself.
Coop will be 8'x8' built on a concrete footer and cinder blocks using Quikwall surface bonding cement. Dirt floor. I'm considering (not committed to) using pallet Lumber for this project. If so I would have 7' walls instead of 8. Roof roll likely end up being a gable with asphalt shingles on it. Gable ends and eaves will probably just be open with hardware cloth covering them. For simplicity, I'm considering keeping everything internal (no nesting boxes accessible from the outside). For simpler construction and in the future the idea can be sold that this is a second shed, not a coop. As such, it will have a large opening in the front door for annual clean out, that is large enough to drive a lawn mower inside. At least that's my plan. It's going to be built on the edge of my yard, half in the woods, half out. I've attached a couple pictures of the location. I've laid out a rough perimeter until I get some proper stakes and I can put up string lines in a precise manner and start to digging!
I'd love to hear the things that have made your life easier with chickens. I'm planning to run electric to it for water heater and a light overhead. I will also have an automatic pop door. Planning on buying the chickenrun T50.
One thing I'm on the fence about is nesting boxes that I can access from outside, instead of having to go inside and step in poop every time I get eggs. I had external boxes last time and still had to step in poop because of the run.
For reference, I'm in Central Virginia USDA zone 7a/b (close to the line).
For anyone who needs a visual on how Quikwal works :
https://www.quikrete.com/athome/video-dry-stack-wall.asp
After a 4 year run with chickens in a too small high maintenance coop, I'm going to build a new coop because I just love those fresh eggs annnd the lack of bugs in the yard is worth having them around by itself.
Coop will be 8'x8' built on a concrete footer and cinder blocks using Quikwall surface bonding cement. Dirt floor. I'm considering (not committed to) using pallet Lumber for this project. If so I would have 7' walls instead of 8. Roof roll likely end up being a gable with asphalt shingles on it. Gable ends and eaves will probably just be open with hardware cloth covering them. For simplicity, I'm considering keeping everything internal (no nesting boxes accessible from the outside). For simpler construction and in the future the idea can be sold that this is a second shed, not a coop. As such, it will have a large opening in the front door for annual clean out, that is large enough to drive a lawn mower inside. At least that's my plan. It's going to be built on the edge of my yard, half in the woods, half out. I've attached a couple pictures of the location. I've laid out a rough perimeter until I get some proper stakes and I can put up string lines in a precise manner and start to digging!
I'd love to hear the things that have made your life easier with chickens. I'm planning to run electric to it for water heater and a light overhead. I will also have an automatic pop door. Planning on buying the chickenrun T50.
One thing I'm on the fence about is nesting boxes that I can access from outside, instead of having to go inside and step in poop every time I get eggs. I had external boxes last time and still had to step in poop because of the run.
For reference, I'm in Central Virginia USDA zone 7a/b (close to the line).
For anyone who needs a visual on how Quikwal works :
https://www.quikrete.com/athome/video-dry-stack-wall.asp