DIY Chicken Coop Progress

With the exception of an afternoon with two young helpers, my hub and I have ventured into the ambitious and often treacherous territory of construction alone. Neither of us being very welled versed in building we're visual artists and naively feel construction should be a natural extension off of scultping or vice versa ;9 Luckily my hub did spend some time in Japan many years ago and helped to build an art studio- hence there was a little resevoir of memory for things like framing. Alas inspite of nearly experiencing major limb amputation- we have something we can pat ourselves on the back for! Here is the progress of our coop thus far.

Final Coop Plans

The Coop designs changed and changed and changed again - thanks to all who gave me feedback! Basically, many of the changes occurred based on further and further education. It may seem obvious, but if you are planning on starting to raise chicks -its not enough to explore chicken coop building texts and plans- I highly encourage reading as much as you can, (NOT just about coop plans but) about chicken behavior, needs and space requirements. Helpful sites were the Manna Pro Webinar, MyPet Chicken.com's free Chick raising guide, and Backyard Chickens Coop Designs.

This final design may seem the most traditional of all, but why mess with a tried and true working design? This little elevated cottage will provide extra shaded run space below the coop (and include a ramp that is not shown here) and will be an attractive little fairytale-like structure for my yard. Since chickens provide such great garden fertilizer the run you see on the right may be duplicated on the left and therefore alternated with extra garden space on alternating years.

final coop design by m. diaz Complete Final Coop design integrated into yard by m. diaz

Starting with Raising Chickens

Opening the Package from MyPetChicken.com Brooder Introduction Beginning to Eat Meet Colina Meet Varaka

Chicken Coop Plans - Dreams

As I research, learn and price materials at Home Depot, I continue to modify, change, throw out and start over with designing my chicken coop.

My goal is to get started building in the next two weeks. But before I do that I have to commit to a style and well - I have commitment issues- As my hub knows I have to REALLY love something to commit - hence he is in the picture!!

Coop Plan Idea number 2 drawn with Google Sketchup by m.diaz Idea number 3 The Classic by m.diaz

So PLEASE TELL ME - WHICH COOP PLAN

#1- The Chicken Adirondack throne Coop,
#2 The Zen Den or
#3 The Classic Garden Duplex Coop
DO YOU LIKE so FAR????

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Ciao Amarettogirl