Post by Ron Kulas on Mar 9, 2024 20:27:56 GMT -6
Last winter was long and hard with near record snowfall so we missed our window for chicken coop construction in time to have it completed for getting chicks in the spring. We plan on 18 meat and egg layers in the first year. The coop I designed will hold up to 24 birds but we would winter 8 to 10 layers.
It started with site selection and land clearing and shed removal.
What a difference a year makes.
Thankfully, the 2024 winter was very mild and allowed me to work outside in warmer temps and less snow. I was able to start construction in December in my garage. The focus of this build will security from the cold and predators. I need to keep them safe from coons, all the members of the weasel family, skunk, possum, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, wolves, feral cats, bears, raptors, etc.
Then there was a long spell of VERY cold weather. -20F with wind chills of -30F so outside work came to a halt. The weather turned nicer again in Feb.
The night after we framed the walls, we got more snow, It was foretasted so we wrapped the frame in tarps.
Then we began installing the venting in the eves. This provides ventilation without drafts.
Then I installed rigid foam board insulation because its gets very cold up here.
Then it was time to attach the siding.
Again, warm temps created lots of mud.
The warm day was followed by light snows.
The corner trim is white cedar that I turned into red cedar.
Installing hardware.
Then I insulated the walls.
Roosting bars are easy to remove for cleaning.
Lets talk coop cleaning. I never have to enter the coop to remove old bedding. I will drive my dump trailer pulled by my ATV (or my large Rubbermaid wheelbarrow) right to the double doors and us my snow roof rake (as you saw earlier, a roof rake is a common thing this far north) and use it pull the bedding into the trailer and take it to the compost area. This was by design and what set the floor weight.
The next step is to assemble the run I bought. I think it may be temporary and I will build a wooden run at a later date but for this first year, it will suffice.
The run came with chicken wire but I will double up and add more of the 1/2" mesh hardware cloth that will run underground and away from the run and the bottom of the coop. After the final thaw, I will spread fill and crushed rock around the coop and run to put an end to the mud and to bury the hardware cloth.
I ordered a solar powered door, it has arrived.
The kids and grandkids came for a visit and got into "chicken art"
We had to work fast this morning. A hard frost let us begin positioning the beams I bought last weekend. Temps this week are going to be warm so I had to use the tractor while it was still frozen.
more to come...................
It started with site selection and land clearing and shed removal.
What a difference a year makes.
Thankfully, the 2024 winter was very mild and allowed me to work outside in warmer temps and less snow. I was able to start construction in December in my garage. The focus of this build will security from the cold and predators. I need to keep them safe from coons, all the members of the weasel family, skunk, possum, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, wolves, feral cats, bears, raptors, etc.
Then there was a long spell of VERY cold weather. -20F with wind chills of -30F so outside work came to a halt. The weather turned nicer again in Feb.
The night after we framed the walls, we got more snow, It was foretasted so we wrapped the frame in tarps.
Then we began installing the venting in the eves. This provides ventilation without drafts.
Then I installed rigid foam board insulation because its gets very cold up here.
Then it was time to attach the siding.
Again, warm temps created lots of mud.
The warm day was followed by light snows.
The corner trim is white cedar that I turned into red cedar.
Installing hardware.
Then I insulated the walls.
Roosting bars are easy to remove for cleaning.
Lets talk coop cleaning. I never have to enter the coop to remove old bedding. I will drive my dump trailer pulled by my ATV (or my large Rubbermaid wheelbarrow) right to the double doors and us my snow roof rake (as you saw earlier, a roof rake is a common thing this far north) and use it pull the bedding into the trailer and take it to the compost area. This was by design and what set the floor weight.
The next step is to assemble the run I bought. I think it may be temporary and I will build a wooden run at a later date but for this first year, it will suffice.
The run came with chicken wire but I will double up and add more of the 1/2" mesh hardware cloth that will run underground and away from the run and the bottom of the coop. After the final thaw, I will spread fill and crushed rock around the coop and run to put an end to the mud and to bury the hardware cloth.
I ordered a solar powered door, it has arrived.
The kids and grandkids came for a visit and got into "chicken art"
We had to work fast this morning. A hard frost let us begin positioning the beams I bought last weekend. Temps this week are going to be warm so I had to use the tractor while it was still frozen.
more to come...................