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Chicken coop plans?

Discussion in 'Livestock' started by RandyRos, Jun 15, 2011.

  1. RandyRos

    RandyRos Gardener

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    Hi

    does anyone know where to get free plans/patterns for chicken coops? we want something for about 5 or 6 chickens. it's got to be moveable and be a combined coop/run. can anyone please help? TIA :)
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Sorry I don't know where to get plans, but if it were me I'd visit a few suppliers, garden centres etc armed with a notepad, tape measure and digital camera, take loads of photos and measurements then build my own. It's good to see them in real life anyway and maybe you can combine the best bits or imporve on their design.


    Or buy a basic coop an extend it like Webmaster's recent thread.
     
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    • RandyRos

      RandyRos Gardener

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      hubby keeps saying he'll design one........he's been saying that for 2 yrs! lol

      can I have a link to webmasters thread pls? thanks
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    • RandyRos

      RandyRos Gardener

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    • Webmaster

      Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

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    • Aesculus

      Aesculus Bureaucrat 34 (Admin)

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      That last one is like the Savoy for chickens:loll:
       
    • Webmaster

      Webmaster Webmaster Staff Member

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      I was planning on making my own, but when I saw the price of them, I felt that it wasn't worth doing ..... at least for the main coop/run , any extended area though is worthwhile to make yourself.
       
    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

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      I did that, and when I eventually got around to it and priced up the materials, there was such a small saving involved we went straight out and bought one from a local poultry centre. Clearing somewhere in the garden, slabbing the area, fencing and roofing the run was enough work without also building the coop.

      Another time I would seriously consider a basic adaption of a cheap 4 x 6" shed like I got around a year ago for £85 from B&Q when they were both on special offer + on a 20% off when you spend >£50 promotion, and make a pop hole + sliding cover, mesh the window + add sliding cover, add poo tray with nest box under and perch over.
       
    • RandyRos

      RandyRos Gardener

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      woah! both of them are like the Savoy lol thanks for the links.

      We have wire already and hubby can get most of the wood from work & we have some felt too, so materials cost isn't really an issue, its just the actual plans and time!

      we have a coop/run already but it was knocked up in a weekend for some free bantams we were given. that was a few yrs ago now. its sturdy enough though, but so heavy that hubby and son have to move it every couple of days for me! we made it big enough to house 6 full size hens, but we only have 3 atm, though I should be getting some rare breeds at the weekend *fingers crossed*
       
    • RandyRos

      RandyRos Gardener

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      hubbys been making the coop/run this week. will post piccys soon. he's made a lift up hatch on the run so i can put the food and water in (hanging on hooks) without bending! cant wait :yahoo:
       
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      • RandyRos

        RandyRos Gardener

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        first a pic of the old coop which was made in one day about 3 yrs ago and was only supposed to be temporary :heehee:

        old coop1..jpg

        now this is the new coop in varying stages.

        new coop1..jpg

        new coop2..jpg

        new coop3..jpg

        the new coop is all but done, i'll take pics of it tomorrow
         
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        • Lisa11

          Lisa11 Gardener

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          Wow! Looking good there :thumb:
           
        • RandyRos

          RandyRos Gardener

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          thanks Lisa. it's taken him (and son) 4 days, but it's finally done!! :love30:

          he's put handles on this one, to make it easier to move.
          all done1..jpg

          I'm particularly happy with this bit, which allows me to refil the water and food from the top without hurting my back or disturbing the chooks
          all done2..jpg

          we used hanging basket chains to hang the feeders from hooks
          all done 3..jpg

          this is inside the coop, excuse the sloppy paint job, but it was done tuesday evening as it got dark :DOH:
          inside..jpg

          lids..jpg
           
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          • rachvit

            rachvit Apprentice Gardener

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            RandyRos - The coop looks amazing. Perhaps they can make one for me?! :yess:

            Ha! I'll need to take a photograph of the home I made for my chickens. We used to have a small chicken wire number, but in the end size was becoming a problem. Ended up going for one of these cheap sheds for sale from B&Q for £60.00. Untreated, so it needed painting with some wood treatment - £15 a tub for a the decent stuff.

            A few changes (I say a few, we just added a few hinged doors) on top of fitting it out ready for the chooks to live in. Couple of stands for them to cluck on, with a nice dark area for laying. Comfy!

            It's still standing today - They love it :yay:
             
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