Awesome job! That chicken house is beautiful! I love that you talked about your old chicken house and all that you learned from it. greatest tip ever is the plexiglass window because we have big snakes and the last thing I want to find is a huge snake when I open the door. Really great idea, thank you so much for sharing!
I have watched hundreds of chicken coop videos in the last few years. This is the most beautiful coop I have ever seen. It looks like a mini barn and at the same time reminds me of a little country chapel! The storage idea is fantastic and I love the plexiglass glass on the nest boxes. Beautiful, beautiful,beautiful!!!
That's an outstand building/chicken house You built ! I was impressed with Your woodpile too. I never thought of just using two trees and concrete blocks and pressure treated landscape rails underneath. You solved my problem of keeping some firewood I don't want to keep in a shed anymore. Thanks.
thicker treads, and a concrete garden block/slab beneath. Ever though of a cheap solar automatic chicken door opener on a timer? Can do the same for heating winter water. I love your top storage, awesome idea! Id put a much higher front side to the nest boxes, to keep the bedding in. The window roost is absolutely magnificent! Hang a roost-swing in there and they will use it to get up to the top perching roost. You could roughly drape fruit tree mesh over your pen, noosed around the trees. it wouldnt be pretty but it would work. you have small enough gaps between trees or fence post and tree, to take another roost-wood piece, drill it through either end, thread wire through and around the ends solidly, and hang it as an out door swinging perch, chickens really love those! I love the perspex anti snake hatches, brilliant innovation! 30 year pro circuit showing and trained in it young, and ive still never seen the perspex hatchway! I am Seriously impressed! Thankyou for sharing this with all of us chicken folk, Cheers, Alicia, Western Australia.
When you re do your steps..YES use a thicker tread..and to level them..try some crushed stone with a couple of patio slabs on top..the crushed ston will allow you to rake it level before you put the patio slabs down..then there is now digging. Good Luck..I am PEA GREAN with envy ovewr that chicken house!!
I can tell your chickens love their wonderful home, they are making such relaxing sounds and you take us on the tour. That is one of the best chicken houses I have seen. You are now a carpenter.
Beautiful chicken coop!!! Excellent job and you learned thru watching you tube videos...Awesome. I agree with you to build something that will last for years. The windows are very nice, using the hardware wire is great it helps deter the unwanted.. I like the fact you utilized the overhead to store the hay and other stuff, good idea. Thank you for your videos, always something to learn. Blessings Laura M
Your Amazing!! Thanks for all of your videos. Seeing this makes me smile. You remind me of my nana, she does stuff like this on her own and it amazes me. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable tackling something like this on my own. Keep up the great work!!!
Very nice Job. Professional level work all around, For the steps drive some posts at the end to tie the runners to the ground You'll find that it will make them more stable. For the yard roof search for some bird netting that game bird breeders use all you would need is a single post in the center higher then the walls and run some heavy wire between the center post and the posts on the outside. the lightness of the netting will save on structural costs. You might search Algoma Netting as a source for the netting they may still be in business. There was a comment on the painting of the nesting boxes and the inside This must have been made by a newbie to raising animals. a well painted surface lasts longer and is easier to clean when it needs it If you take so much time and effort to build it you should take the time to make sure it lasts for a while. Cleaning the nest boxes and roosts every so often helps keep the critters that hurt the chickens at bay (mites, chiggers, fleas) You will probably see depressions in the soil under the house after a while as the chickens will find the dry soil under it a good place to take their dust baths.
I have the same issues as you do with losing my chickens. I went a couple extra steps to protect mine and it seems to work really good. I cover the top with wire but I also rebuilt my coop and covered the boorom with wire as well, effectively makingh a large cage. I then covered the ground with the dirt I dug out and I have not lost a single chicken since and that was 2 years ago. I love your videos and keep up them coming.
Very nice job with the coop! I especially love the simple nest box design that swings opens from outside. However, you definitely will need to cover the run with something, even if some spaced out fishing lines or mesh. Coopers hawk are vigilant and they will find your chickens in any corner and turn them to shreds. I have red tails and coopers hawk always on prowl, and they're not even scared of people hanging out nearby. I had to give up on free-ranging unless I'm closely supervising ready to run for rescue.
I just love your chicken house! What a wonderful job you did! How clever of you to put plexiglass to the nest boxes. Great pen too. You are a very Cleve woman. I think it is the perfect size house for chickens. The storage for the hay was a great idea too. Just perfect Thank you for the ideas. Best wishes in the future.
Amazing job. You're very inspiring. Thanks for sharing. As my adult children say, I'm no spring chicken & need to stop doing the things I do (that they can't do) but you have proven we still can do whatever we set our minds to.
Bless your heart! What a fantastic job you did, it’s gorgeous 😊👏👏. Some great design features and sensible. I’d put wire over the top and maybe encircle the coop with fencing as we have lots of foxes and hawks here. Love it, my favorite!
I have seen a chicken yard protected from owls and hawks by using a criss-cross of strong fishing line at the top of the fence overhead. They hawks and owls can see the line and won't dive into it.
Wow! :) I'm so impressed with what you did & it's similar to what I want to build. I'm in my 50s too so you are my hero! I also use youtube to learn about homesteading and building stuff so thank you so much for sharing what you did. Great job!
@imstillworkin From building my shed I know how hard you worked on it. It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it or out of necessity. Blessings!
Great job! On the video you can't even notice the stairs. There are things you always think about AFTER you've built your coop. Overall it's excellent and your birds are lucky. I also have a lot of snakes and like your plexiglass door idea for the nesting boxes. Be proud!
That's a really nice job ... I am still adapting and changing my chicken coop and run with what I learn on youtube .. it's a great place for ideas ... thanks for sharing yours ..
You are one of the most amazing individuals I know. That' a beautiful hen house. You wouldn't even have to pour concrete at the base of your steps, you could just just concrete stepping stones. They'er 12 x 12...it would probably only take 3 of them at $1.68 each. I don't see anything wrong with those steps. The tread would be a little thin for me to try to get up them, but they're probably perfect for you. Loved seeing this.
Nice! I’ve watched a lot of videos on building chicken houses; I really like yours!! You did a great job. I couldn’t see anything wrong with the steps from the video. Love the plexiglass idea. I’m planning to move back home to SC and buy land. We have a lot of snakes there too.
Wow, this is quite interesting and informative. I love your great narration, too. Thanks so much for this. The rest of your yard is incredible as well!! It's like a little piece of paradise. It might not feel that way when you're doing all the work that must go into it. Thanks so much for posting this.
OMG!!! I love your chicken house!!! I also love your garden next to your house too, with the picket fence and raised beds. Steps look ok to me, chickens are using them just fine. LOL You have given me hope to get mine built when I get moved into the country. Now I know I can build one too myself, thanks so much for sharing!!! I'm keeping this as a favorite to have a reference too!!! woohoo!!!
This is one of the best chicken houses I have seen; Thank you for sharing. I have to get started on my own, they are now four weeks old and growing really fast.
Winner of a video, I have been researching "easy way to build a chicken coop" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Machaaldity Coop Blaster - (search on google ) ? Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my cousin got excellent results with it.
You did a great job! Looks beautiful. The snake window is brilliant! I'm wondering if you put a predator apron around the perimeter....you didn't mention it...thanks for posting
You built that better than most the men i know could have, i really like how you built it off the ground. Ive been a carpenter for over 20 years and im gonnna borrow some of your ideas, thanks.
LOVE YOUR COOP AND RUN GREAT JOB !!! might contact you for the sizes of your run area, did you dig fence into the ground, to keep things from digging under ?
Robin Connell There's about 18" of fence laying on top of the ground (but covered with dirt) around the coop now so that if anything tries to dig under, they'll hit fence wire instead of dirt. I hope that makes sense.
that is a WONDERFUL idea how many feet is your run area in total, again thank you so much, I am 51 and like you want to do everything correctly the first time so no redos
I think you've done a very good job. I have been searching You tube video's to get ideas to build my chicken coop. " I love your coop " it's really nice. I'm like you I'm 53 and want my coop to last as long as possible.
Great Job! I elevated ours also, not as high as your however. I have wire on the ground of the outside area and a covered roof. In our area, raccoons, fox, rats and cats are the biggest issue. If there our in the pasture grazing, its Bald eagles, hawks or cougars. You just do the best you can. Since your in VA, you could do 2x12 cypress for the steps.
WOW! You did a superb job!!!Why your coop is even prettier than Martha Stewarts.We're just finishing up a new coop ourselves,(we like to do most everything oursleves)Like yours,it's off the ground,except we installed a wire floor(over the floor joists)so it's more self cleaning.We have nesting boxes outside,under the shed portion,still need to do the doors on it,I like your idea with the plexi-glass,will be adding that now.Thanks!Love RUclipsr's and that can do additude!
How cute ! and you painted the chiken rooms .You should put up some little mirrors in the rooms and artwork on the walls .My doggy has a mirror in her kennel and she looks at herself sometimes !lol P.S. her kennel is a big bird cage with a fake fur covered pillow!hahahahgreat job!
You GO girl!!! Best looking chicken house I've seen.Conveniences for you and the chickens. Your comment of "not wanting to do this at over 60yr.".if you can do this now, at 60 you will be building a cabin in the woods for your Retirement Retreat. Isn't it fun to measure, saw, hammer, smell the wood? didn't you feel powerful? Great Job! Hey, God said we can live to be 120 yr. so you are not even middle age yet. There's lots more creative construction in you.Your Grandchildren must be proud!!
Before I got my chickens I built my hutch and fenced yard, put up a trail cam inside the hutch and one in the hutch, and borrowed a friend used bedding to see what would actually come hunt them.. then I adjusted the hitch and fencing before I brought babies home.
You will want to put down footing blocks under the steps at the bottom to keep the wood up off the ground so that they don't rot out on you. Beautiful job on the project.
Hi, your coop looks great! I'd take out those squared roosts (chcikens don't come with square feet) and change them out for some real branches. Find some branches with bark still on and screw them in at angles in the coop. The chickens can adjust to different widths and it also helps promote a healthy pecking order since the queen of the roost will take the highest spot. Square roosts can cause bumblefoot etc,.
Love your coop,You have a fair mix of hens, do you set eggs?.Do they go broody ,do you keep a cockerel ,What type,Do you rear or buy in. Best wishes from Hampshire ,England.
Thank you, I think the run is about 24 x 24. Right now I only have 4 chickens in it but I think it could accommodate about 25 if necessary. Right now I don't need that many eggs.
my grandparents lived for a long time in papua new guinea and when grandpa noticed there were less eggs each day he would boil two eggs and place one outside the chicken wire and one inside. the snake would come along and eat the outside one then thread itself thru the wire and consume the inside one. boiled eggs would take hours to digest and grandpa would take a shovel a couple of times a day and hopefully catch the no longer hungry culprit, dispatching it as it struggled with the wire.
I think all the adjectives have been used up, amazing, awesome, incredible, beautiful...absolutely gorgeous ! Lots of people in the world don't live in a home that nice. You've certainly opened my eyes in regard to what I need to get into raising hens for eggs. That house is quite impressive, and so is the lady who built it ! ;-)
Coming from a professional builder ma'am, you did one hell of a job!! You need to be proud!!!! With that out of the way I have a question for u.. How will you be heating your henhouse? My wife and I are first time chicken owners so we are a novice at the very least... we love our birds and if we lose one it would be like losing a kid!! So this winter I want to make sure they are safe from the harsh Michigan winters
If you raise the perch higher and put a couple of empty buckets or something to keep them off the perches at night, they will learn to perch. Great chicken house!
That is an awesome chicken house, It appears that its very well made. We might get chickens some day, but were still trying to learn canning and gardening.
I think you did a beautiful job. In fact, I must download your video as I am a 5 month chicken owner finding my way. Thank you so much for adding to the body of knowledge and experience here.
I have watched a lot of those utube video's. You have done a wonderful job on this project and have tackled some great ideas that fit your situation.. Thank you for sharing this impressive work..I don't know much about snakes, but I think I would put a smaller mesh at the bottom around the whole coop and hope there not climbers..
Wow! Great coop! The Easter Bunny just brought us some chicks, and I was cruisin' the Tube to get ideas for a coop. I've built several (I'm an ol' farm girl) but I want this one to be pretty...*smile* Thanks for all your hard work on the video and the coop! I appreciate it! God Bless!
You are a work of art I do declare!! I love the chicken house but I will stick with the canning lol I can only imagine what kind of monster house I would conjure up lol!! You rock!!
I keep pure breds here in England they are very expensive, But if you can rear Pullets or Cockerels they always sell well.I also find they sit better ,some hybrids seem to have lost that trait.I have Buffs,Light Sussex,Leghorns,Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rocks. So you see some of your native breeds are still thriving this side of the ocean.Best Wishes.
The snake doors are great! I remember reaching into the box to gather eggs for my grandmother when I was a child and grabbing a snake. I've never felt the same about them - the snakes that is.
Thank you, I hate snakes too. So far I've only seen one at the chicken house. It was climbing around the door frame looking for a way in. I got it, it didn't get in.
Very WELL done! You amaze me. How do you find the time? We bought our chicken house and I am finding it is too small. I am sending this video to my husband to see if I can him interested in building one. Thanks so much!
My Miniature Pinscher could get through that fence :( He probably would too. Animals sure do have a way to get what they want don't they. I've seen a full grown wild cat go through a chain link fence when it freaked out. For me, a roofed and fenced area is a must with all the eagles and hawks around. You are a steely eyed missile woman lady doing that by yourself. You always amaze me.
I am just still so darn impressed - I am still struggling with my design as I don't have the space you have. Where did you get the plexi glass and did you also use plexi for windows? Thank you so much for sharing !!!!!!!!
That plexiglass idea is great! Did the raised coop help with keeping snakes out? We have snakes here too, we see them in the summer. This is our first year doing the chickens so I've been worried about snakes getting into the eggs. We've already lost 2 chickens to a fox. The ground is still icy but I want to build an enclosure like you have. There was a big hawk flying in circles around the little 10' x 10' chicken yard today. It's just temporary until I can build something better.
Good for you. I shot the fox that got my chickens the day before yesterday. It had a chicken in it's mouth when I shot it. I got up to it and the chicken was just sitting there quiet. I thought maybe it was injured. The fox was still breathing so I finished it off and the chicken flew up into the air and fluttered away about fifty feet. It's a black australorp. The chicken is doing fine.
I love your coop! Is there any chance that you could put up a plan with dimensions? I'm more than a bit challenged on the DIY-ing side of things, especially design! Plenty snakes here too which is why I find your coop so inspiring. Thanks heaps - aussiebushgirl.
Absolutely brilliant work! About the windows opening from the inside or outside....I wonder if you could have decided "neither" and installed a slider? I'm 51, and you give me hope that there's a place for us "more seasoned" preppers, lol. Thanks!
You definitely need to consider all the critters that are on the prowl when you build a coop. I've had a problem with raccoons. They eventually got 2 of my 6 chickens. I eventually got 7 raccoons. The score is still in my favor.
Wow, You go girl!! What an excellent job. I got chickens 4 years ago loved them right off my husband did too. Did you have building experance? Wow. Under the house keeps them cool too.
hinge windows at top can be left open during warm months even if its raining to provide ventalation,2x's for steps ,copiy one of the present risers add 2 more risers [total 4]that way little boy wont break it helping ma by bring in heavy bag of feed
Outstanding chicken house! I am intimidated now to build mine;) May I suggest though that the chickens roost beams be rounded instead of square so they do not develop problems with their feet.
You did an awesome job, and I don't think you overdid anything. I think if you do it right the first time, you don't have to do it again in a few years. And I think yours will be standing a very long time. You should be proud of the job you did.... it is absolutely great.
Awesome job! That chicken house is beautiful! I love that you talked about your old chicken house and all that you learned from it. greatest tip ever is the plexiglass window because we have big snakes and the last thing I want to find is a huge snake when I open the door. Really great idea, thank you so much for sharing!
the plexiglass peep door is pure uncut genius! I will have to add that idea to my new coop this winter. I will keep you posted.
You haven't missed a beat! Best coop I've seen.. Learned so much from your design ! Loved the nesting boxes ,plexiglass , windows ect..
I have watched hundreds of chicken coop videos in the last few years. This is the most beautiful coop I have ever seen. It looks like a mini barn and at the same time reminds me of a little country chapel! The storage idea is fantastic and I love the plexiglass glass on the nest boxes. Beautiful, beautiful,beautiful!!!
Lady, thank you for sharing this. I'm 72 and thinking of building my own chicken coop. Its something to be proud of and an inspiration to me.
Michael Sittig Did you build your coop???
That's an outstand building/chicken house You built ! I was impressed with Your woodpile too. I never thought of just using two trees and concrete blocks and pressure treated landscape rails underneath. You solved my problem of keeping some firewood I don't want to keep in a shed anymore. Thanks.
thicker treads, and a concrete garden block/slab beneath. Ever though of a cheap solar automatic chicken door opener on a timer? Can do the same for heating winter water. I love your top storage, awesome idea! Id put a much higher front side to the nest boxes, to keep the bedding in. The window roost is absolutely magnificent! Hang a roost-swing in there and they will use it to get up to the top perching roost. You could roughly drape fruit tree mesh over your pen, noosed around the trees. it wouldnt be pretty but it would work. you have small enough gaps between trees or fence post and tree, to take another roost-wood piece, drill it through either end, thread wire through and around the ends solidly, and hang it as an out door swinging perch, chickens really love those! I love the perspex anti snake hatches, brilliant innovation! 30 year pro circuit showing and trained in it young, and ive still never seen the perspex hatchway! I am Seriously impressed! Thankyou for sharing this with all of us chicken folk, Cheers, Alicia, Western Australia.
When you re do your steps..YES use a thicker tread..and to level them..try some crushed stone with a couple of patio slabs on top..the crushed ston will allow you to rake it level before you put the patio slabs down..then there is now digging.
Good Luck..I am PEA GREAN with envy ovewr that chicken house!!
I can tell your chickens love their wonderful home, they are making such relaxing sounds and you take us on the tour. That is one of the best chicken houses I have seen. You are now a carpenter.
Beautiful chicken coop!!! Excellent job and you learned thru watching you tube videos...Awesome. I agree with you to build something that will last for years. The windows are very nice, using the hardware wire is great it helps deter the unwanted.. I like the fact you utilized the overhead to store the hay and other stuff, good idea. Thank you for your videos, always something to learn. Blessings Laura M
Your Amazing!! Thanks for all of your videos. Seeing this makes me smile. You remind me of my nana, she does stuff like this on her own and it amazes me. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable tackling something like this on my own. Keep up the great work!!!
Very nice Job. Professional level work all around, For the steps drive some posts at the end to tie the runners to the ground You'll find that it will make them more stable. For the yard roof search for some bird netting that game bird breeders use all you would need is a single post in the center higher then the walls and run some heavy wire between the center post and the posts on the outside. the lightness of the netting will save on structural costs. You might search Algoma Netting as a source for the netting they may still be in business. There was a comment on the painting of the nesting boxes and the inside This must have been made by a newbie to raising animals. a well painted surface lasts longer and is easier to clean when it needs it If you take so much time and effort to build it you should take the time to make sure it lasts for a while. Cleaning the nest boxes and roosts every so often helps keep the critters that hurt the chickens at bay (mites, chiggers, fleas) You will probably see depressions in the soil under the house after a while as the chickens will find the dry soil under it a good place to take their dust baths.
I have the same issues as you do with losing my chickens. I went a couple extra steps to protect mine and it seems to work really good. I cover the top with wire but I also rebuilt my coop and covered the boorom with wire as well, effectively makingh a large cage. I then covered the ground with the dirt I dug out and I have not lost a single chicken since and that was 2 years ago.
I love your videos and keep up them coming.
Very nice job with the coop! I especially love the simple nest box design that swings opens from outside. However, you definitely will need to cover the run with something, even if some spaced out fishing lines or mesh. Coopers hawk are vigilant and they will find your chickens in any corner and turn them to shreds. I have red tails and coopers hawk always on prowl, and they're not even scared of people hanging out nearby. I had to give up on free-ranging unless I'm closely supervising ready to run for rescue.
Get a couple gutters and 55 gal plastic drums and catch the rainwater and make yourself an automatic waterer Great job looks real nice
I just love your chicken house! What a wonderful job you did! How clever of you to put plexiglass to the nest boxes. Great pen too. You are a very Cleve woman. I think it is the perfect size house for chickens. The storage for the hay was a great idea too. Just perfect Thank you for the ideas. Best wishes in the future.
Thank you, that chicken house has worked very well for me. I wouldn't change a thing.
Amazing job. You're very inspiring. Thanks for sharing. As my adult children say, I'm no spring chicken & need to stop doing the things I do (that they can't do) but you have proven we still can do whatever we set our minds to.
Bless your heart! What a fantastic job you did, it’s gorgeous 😊👏👏. Some great design features and sensible. I’d put wire over the top and maybe encircle the coop with fencing as we have lots of foxes and hawks here. Love it, my favorite!
I have seen a chicken yard protected from owls and hawks by using a criss-cross of strong fishing line at the top of the fence overhead. They hawks and owls can see the line and won't dive into it.
Wow! :) I'm so impressed with what you did & it's similar to what I want to build. I'm in my 50s too so you are my hero! I also use youtube to learn about homesteading and building stuff so thank you so much for sharing what you did. Great job!
Loved! Loved!Loved! your video and am so encouraged by it. I'm 50ish as well and look forward to building one soon. Thanks for sharing!
@imstillworkin From building my shed I know how hard you worked on it. It's amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it or out of necessity. Blessings!
Great job! On the video you can't even notice the stairs. There are things you always think about AFTER you've built your coop. Overall it's excellent and your birds are lucky. I also have a lot of snakes and like your plexiglass door idea for the nesting boxes. Be proud!
That's a really nice job ... I am still adapting and changing my chicken coop and run with what I learn on youtube .. it's a great place for ideas ... thanks for sharing yours ..
Very impressive! You have given me lots of useful ideas for the one I'm planning on building this Spring. Excellent narration too! Thanks!
As a union carpenter, I have to say you did pretty dang good !! ;)
Smart idea with the snake window!
GREAT Job!!
Try some BORAX as a barrier around your coup to detract the snakes..Copperheads especially will stay away from the Borax detergent!
Sweetie, I think you did a magnificent job! Good for you! You should of seen my first crappy chicken coop
You are one of the most amazing individuals I know. That' a beautiful hen house. You wouldn't even have to pour concrete at the base of your steps, you could just just concrete stepping stones. They'er 12 x 12...it would probably only take 3 of them at $1.68 each. I don't see anything wrong with those steps. The tread would be a little thin for me to try to get up them, but they're probably perfect for you. Loved seeing this.
Now I have my chicken house plans that is beautiful and you thought of everything! You are a talented woman. Blessings!
Nice! I’ve watched a lot of videos on building chicken houses; I really like yours!! You did a great job. I couldn’t see anything wrong with the steps from the video. Love the plexiglass idea. I’m planning to move back home to SC and buy land. We have a lot of snakes there too.
Wow, this is quite interesting and informative. I love your great narration, too. Thanks so much for this.
The rest of your yard is incredible as well!! It's like a little piece of paradise. It might not feel that way when you're doing all the work that must go into it.
Thanks so much for posting this.
OMG!!! I love your chicken house!!! I also love your garden next to your house too, with the picket fence and raised beds. Steps look ok to me, chickens are using them just fine. LOL You have given me hope to get mine built when I get moved into the country. Now I know I can build one too myself, thanks so much for sharing!!! I'm keeping this as a favorite to have a reference too!!! woohoo!!!
This is one of the best chicken houses I have seen; Thank you for sharing. I have to get started on my own, they are now four weeks old and growing really fast.
Chicken house? I would rent that house!
Winner of a video, I have been researching "easy way to build a chicken coop" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Machaaldity Coop Blaster - (search on google ) ? Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my cousin got excellent results with it.
Nice job, like the roost located by the window to get a cross breeze and the plexiglass window into the nesting box.
You did a great job! Looks beautiful. The snake window is brilliant! I'm wondering if you put a predator apron around the perimeter....you didn't mention it...thanks for posting
You built that better than most the men i know could have, i really like how you built it off the ground. Ive been a carpenter for over 20 years and im gonnna borrow some of your ideas, thanks.
LOVE YOUR COOP AND RUN GREAT JOB !!! might contact you for the sizes of your run area, did you dig fence into the ground, to keep things from digging under ?
Robin Connell There's about 18" of fence laying on top of the ground (but covered with dirt) around the coop now so that if anything tries to dig under, they'll hit fence wire instead of dirt. I hope that makes sense.
that is a WONDERFUL idea how many feet is your run area in total, again thank you so much, I am 51 and like you want to do everything correctly the first time so no redos
I think you've done a very good job. I have been searching You tube video's to get ideas to build my chicken coop. " I love your coop " it's really nice. I'm like you I'm 53 and want my coop to last as long as possible.
Great Job! I elevated ours also, not as high as your however. I have wire on the ground of the outside area and a covered roof. In our area, raccoons, fox, rats and cats are the biggest issue. If there our in the pasture grazing, its Bald eagles, hawks or cougars. You just do the best you can.
Since your in VA, you could do 2x12 cypress for the steps.
WOW! You did a superb job!!!Why your coop is even prettier than Martha Stewarts.We're just finishing up a new coop ourselves,(we like to do most everything oursleves)Like yours,it's off the ground,except we installed a wire floor(over the floor joists)so it's more self cleaning.We have nesting boxes outside,under the shed portion,still need to do the doors on it,I like your idea with the plexi-glass,will be adding that now.Thanks!Love RUclipsr's and that can do additude!
How cute ! and you painted the chiken rooms .You should put up some little mirrors in the rooms and artwork on the walls .My doggy has a mirror in her kennel and she looks at herself sometimes !lol P.S. her kennel is a big bird cage with a fake fur covered pillow!hahahahgreat job!
Thank you, I still haven't changed those steps after all this time.
That is a super chicken house.. all I can see that you need is a window planter full of red geraniums under each little window. lol
You GO girl!!! Best looking chicken house I've seen.Conveniences for you and the chickens. Your comment of "not wanting to do this at over 60yr.".if you can do this now, at 60 you will be building a cabin in the woods for your Retirement Retreat. Isn't it fun to measure, saw, hammer, smell the wood? didn't you feel powerful? Great Job! Hey, God said we can live to be 120 yr. so you are not even middle age yet. There's lots more creative construction in you.Your Grandchildren must be proud!!
Before I got my chickens I built my hutch and fenced yard, put up a trail cam inside the hutch and one in the hutch, and borrowed a friend used bedding to see what would actually come hunt them.. then I adjusted the hitch and fencing before I brought babies home.
That's amazing! Great job! I can't believe you built it all by yourself!!!
You will want to put down footing blocks under the steps at the bottom to keep the wood up off the ground so that they don't rot out on you. Beautiful job on the project.
Beautiful!! Love the nesting box door in a door idea, I hate snakes! Great job!!
Hi, your coop looks great! I'd take out those squared roosts (chcikens don't come with square feet) and change them out for some real branches. Find some branches with bark still on and screw them in at angles in the coop. The chickens can adjust to different widths and it also helps promote a healthy pecking order since the queen of the roost will take the highest spot. Square roosts can cause bumblefoot etc,.
Love your coop,You have a fair mix of hens, do you set eggs?.Do they go broody ,do you keep a cockerel ,What type,Do you rear or buy in. Best wishes from Hampshire ,England.
You definitely have bragging rites. I hope mine turns out as well as yours. Great job
Thank you, I think the run is about 24 x 24. Right now I only have 4 chickens in it but I think it could accommodate about 25 if necessary. Right now I don't need that many eggs.
my grandparents lived for a long time in papua new guinea and when grandpa noticed there were less eggs each day he would boil two eggs and place one outside the chicken wire and one inside. the snake would come along and eat the outside one then thread itself thru the wire and consume the inside one. boiled eggs would take hours to digest and grandpa would take a shovel a couple of times a day and hopefully catch the no longer hungry culprit, dispatching it as it struggled with the wire.
Thanks for building your chickens an awesome sized house and pen! Do you have the plans, (exact measurements) for it all?
I think all the adjectives have been used up, amazing, awesome, incredible, beautiful...absolutely gorgeous ! Lots of people in the world don't live in a home that nice. You've certainly opened my eyes in regard to what I need to get into raising hens for eggs. That house is quite impressive, and so is the lady who built it ! ;-)
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Coming from a professional builder ma'am, you did one hell of a job!! You need to be proud!!!! With that out of the way I have a question for u.. How will you be heating your henhouse? My wife and I are first time chicken owners so we are a novice at the very least... we love our birds and if we lose one it would be like losing a kid!! So this winter I want to make sure they are safe from the harsh Michigan winters
+bbc everett we have mild winters here. On the coldest days a heat lamp keeps the chickens warm and keeps their water from freezing.
Good job, the stairs look fine. At 52 you are doing great to be building something like that.
If you raise the perch higher and put a couple of empty buckets or something to keep them off the perches at night, they will learn to perch. Great chicken house!
That is an awesome chicken house, It appears that its very well made. We might get chickens some day, but were still trying to learn canning and gardening.
I think you did a beautiful job. In fact, I must download your video as I am a 5 month chicken owner finding my way. Thank you so much for adding to the body of knowledge and experience here.
I have watched a lot of those utube video's. You have done a wonderful job on this project and have tackled some great ideas that fit your situation.. Thank you for sharing this impressive work..I don't know much about snakes, but I think I would put a smaller mesh at the bottom around the whole coop and hope there not climbers..
Wow! Great coop! The Easter Bunny just brought us some chicks, and I was cruisin' the Tube to get ideas for a coop. I've built several (I'm an ol' farm girl) but I want this one to be pretty...*smile* Thanks for all your hard work on the video and the coop! I appreciate it!
God Bless!
Your chicken house is beautiful! I think you did an awesome job and the steps look good to me. I wish I was handy enough to do that by myself.
You are a work of art I do declare!! I love the chicken house but I will stick with the canning lol I can only imagine what kind of monster house I would conjure up lol!! You rock!!
Way to go come spring I'll be building one as I've been itching for quite some time
Very well done I'm impressed
I keep pure breds here in England they are very expensive, But if you can rear Pullets or Cockerels they always sell well.I also find they sit better ,some hybrids seem to have lost that trait.I have Buffs,Light Sussex,Leghorns,Rhode Island Red and Barred Plymouth Rocks. So you see some of your native breeds are still thriving this side of the ocean.Best Wishes.
I love your set up I saw this years ago so glad I found you again! Im ready to build something nicer for my babies I want this!
Great idea on the openings to access the egg bins.
The snake doors are great! I remember reaching into the box to gather eggs for my grandmother when I was a child and grabbing a snake. I've never felt the same about them - the snakes that is.
I love ur chicken cottage and the design of it. Nice accent too (I'm Aussie)
Thank you for sharing! how much did it cost? how many chickens can fit?
Thank you, I hate snakes too. So far I've only seen one at the chicken house. It was climbing around the door frame looking for a way in. I got it, it didn't get in.
Very WELL done! You amaze me. How do you find the time? We bought our chicken house and I am finding it is too small. I am sending this video to my husband to see if I can him interested in building one. Thanks so much!
great house and pen, I like the idea of internal lay-box better than external
Nice Pen! Videos help me a lot too. Just found out how to remove a truck door handle with a bread tie yday. So quick n easy! I love youtube also.
Lowes or Home Depot both sell precut stair raisers and use 2X10 for the stair treads
That is the best chicken house ive ever seen, i bet if you bought this in kit form it would be a few thousand fantastic job well done.
I love your coop...thank you for sharing! I have a question how many chickens can you keep in a coop that size?
This is beautifully made! I'm so impressed! And had to smile...even more reasons two years later to love RUclips.
My Miniature Pinscher could get through that fence :( He probably would too. Animals sure do have a way to get what they want don't they. I've seen a full grown wild cat go through a chain link fence when it freaked out. For me, a roofed and fenced area is a must with all the eagles and hawks around. You are a steely eyed missile woman lady doing that by yourself. You always amaze me.
what a amazing coop i hope you don't mind im going to build one like it , for mine.
I am just still so darn impressed - I am still struggling with my design as I don't have the space you have. Where did you get the plexi glass and did you also use plexi for windows? Thank you so much for sharing !!!!!!!!
A great tour of your well built chicken house
Great job! That's beautiful. I'm sure your chooks are happy to be there. Thanks for sharing
That plexiglass idea is great! Did the raised coop help with keeping snakes out? We have snakes here too, we see them in the summer. This is our first year doing the chickens so I've been worried about snakes getting into the eggs. We've already lost 2 chickens to a fox. The ground is still icy but I want to build an enclosure like you have. There was a big hawk flying in circles around the little 10' x 10' chicken yard today. It's just temporary until I can build something better.
Vincente Fox zero snakes have made it inside. One was climbing the door jamb outside when I shot it.
Good for you. I shot the fox that got my chickens the day before yesterday. It had a chicken in it's mouth when I shot it. I got up to it and the chicken was just sitting there quiet. I thought maybe it was injured. The fox was still breathing so I finished it off and the chicken flew up into the air and fluttered away about fifty feet. It's a black australorp. The chicken is doing fine.
beautiful set up and construction....where, may I ask do you live with all the snake problems?
I love your coop! Is there any chance that you could put up a plan with dimensions? I'm more than a bit challenged on the DIY-ing side of things, especially design! Plenty snakes here too which is why I find your coop so inspiring. Thanks heaps - aussiebushgirl.
Absolutely brilliant work! About the windows opening from the inside or outside....I wonder if you could have decided "neither" and installed a slider? I'm 51, and you give me hope that there's a place for us "more seasoned" preppers, lol. Thanks!
you inspire me! girl quit judging your chicken house it looks nice as hell you did a wonderful job : )
You definitely need to consider all the critters that are on the prowl when you build a coop. I've had a problem with raccoons. They eventually got 2 of my 6 chickens. I eventually got 7 raccoons. The score is still in my favor.
Wow, You go girl!! What an excellent job. I got chickens 4 years ago loved them right off my husband did too. Did you have building experance? Wow. Under the house keeps them cool too.
Impressed. I wish I had those skills. I do to a point but I couldn't do that. It's beautiful. Love the run with the 6 ft height
This is exactly the coop i want to build ...Thanks for posting this video i will be referring back to it i'm sure
Good job! You could use 2 by material for your steps and not have to have an additional stringer. Like the Plexiglas snake window.
hinge windows at top can be left open during warm months even if its raining to provide ventalation,2x's for steps ,copiy one of the present risers add 2 more risers [total 4]that way little boy wont break it helping ma by bring in heavy bag of feed
Outstanding chicken house! I am intimidated now to build mine;) May I suggest though that the chickens roost beams be rounded instead of square so they do not develop problems with their feet.
You did an awesome job, and I don't think you overdid anything. I think if you do it right the first time, you don't have to do it again in a few years. And I think yours will be standing a very long time. You should be proud of the job you did.... it is absolutely great.