So you wanna have chickens, eh?

[BungeeII]

Great job, irvingj! I don't have any suggestions except to say; if you're capable enough to build that coop, then you'll be plenty able to deal with any other challenges they present. There's a very good chance the chickens will use your nest box only if there are no other options. They really are quite irritating that way.

 

[jimmyj]

Nice looking coop! Be careful, chicken and poultry keeping can be catching. Next, a few turkeys, then a few fancies, maybe some pheasants, ......

 

[Tororider]

I agree with Jimmyj, I started with three and then bought an incubator and started hatching our own. Kids loved it.

You may want to consider 2x4s for roosting. Wide side up. In northern climates it helps the to keep their feet covered and therefore insulated when its cold.

Looks great. Heres that thread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/114700-chickens-things-related.html

 

[Old Paths]

Courtesy of my son,...

It has 2 doors, so it is a chicken coupe, a chicken sedan has four doors...

 

[irvingj]

Bungee-- you haven't seen it up close! (Looks like it was made by a model plane builder!)
Old paths-- right on!
Tororider- thanks for the link- spent a lot of time looking over stuff. Still mulling over the roosting arrangements, thanks for the suggestions.
jimmyj- I don't think I/we'll go beyond the chickens... I may be taking it all too seriously, but I feel I'm taking on the added responsibility for 10 lives as it is. Don't want any more.
ihookem- I've heard that- a friend said the same, it'll burn the grass. He suggested leaving it out in the rain for a time to dilute & compost before using on anything I want to survive!
20 20- what's PETA?

Not too much progress this weekend... and wife has the camera away on a quilt retreat. Did go to the "Tunbridge World's Fair" (VT) Sunday to look at --chickens! Some were really huge! Shouldda used the great weather for painting, but....

 

[scott_vt]

Good Mornin Irving,
Super job on that project ! Those chickens are being spoiled !

Heck with a little insulation you could put that coop up on Mt. Washington !

 

[MotorSeven]

Good job on the coop. We have 16 or so layers. I built my first coop with an open bottom to be able to move it around. After a couple of years it has found a fixed location. I really need to re build it due to predators. They have found their way in by chewing thru the wire...opossums. Anyway, the next design will be a coop on a pole 4' off the ground with a metal skirt on the pole to prevent climbing.
Keep a .22 handy, because the predators will find your chickens sooner or later.

RD

 

[Mike Costello]

Good job on the coop. We have 16 or so layers. I built my first coop with an open bottom to be able to move it around. After a couple of years it has found a fixed location. I really need to re build it due to predators. They have found their way in by chewing thru the wire...opossums. Anyway, the next design will be a coop on a pole 4' off the ground with a metal skirt on the pole to prevent climbing.
Keep a .22 handy, because the predators will find your chickens sooner or later.

RD

Nice coop! Speaking of predators, I built a coop this summer for the wife's feathered friends which among other things is predator proof to the extent possible. NO predators have even come near it, which leads me to believe the ole assault is coming! All summer long--nothing. Now that fall is approacing activity may pick up. We have plenty of predators too, oppossums, raccoons, foxes etc. It just amazes me none have tried to grab a quick meal.

 

[irvingj]

Mike- now THAT's nice! If I had that much level ground.... (welcome to NH! Flat ground & no rocks can be hard to locate sometimes..)

Scott- only has insulation under the roofing and in the (future) nest box. I'm hoping it'll be adequate.

Mike & Motor- here's my "varmint tool." Keep it right by the door, after having lost 3 cats to fishers... Never have hit one, but close enough to scare 'em off for extended periods, anyway. Used to be on a pistol team in the Army, usually hit hit what I'm aiming at (except when it's running at 20mph over rough ground in the woods!)....

 

[Mike Costello]

Irvingj--Now that's a nice varmint tool! My "tool" of choice is my single shot, scope mounted .22 rifle I've had since I was a young lad. Probably not as handy as yours, but should get the job done. For the tough jobs I use my Remington 870. I prefer to discourage first, then resort to stronger tactics if necessary.
The coop has been a fun project I work on when I get the time. Next up is siding to protect it more and to improve its looks. Man, my wife's chickens sure have it good! Mike.