Steve's CoopYour plans ROCK! I recently bought some barn shed plans. Oh if ONLY they had been like yours! I ended up building the shed from trial and error because the plans were USELESS! With your plans, I spent two lazy summer days with the smell of pine shavings in my nose and the sun on my shoulders and ended up with a very cool chicken ark!! Thanks so much for a quality product- my money was well spent! Chris and Karin's Coop & Run ExtensionHi! We got the coop done and added an extension run. We've got three hens in there now and might add another. I also did a few posts on my blog about it chriskafer.wordpress.com Cant wait for fresh eggs!. Thomas' Coop & Run ExtensionI used your frame idea to make an open half coop that is a bit smaller (height and width) than the original. You'll see in the picture how it just slides onto an end. I had to attach a 2x2 on the side of the extension to fill the gap where the bottom door goes. The extension has an extra roost as you'll see. I used hardware cloth on the coop since there are a number of animals in the area including coyotes. I used chicken wire on the top half of the extension because it is what I had around. The extension does make moving the coop a three step process since one has to move the extension out of the way first, then move the coop, and then put the extension back. This really only takes a couple of extra minutes, but I do wait until the chickens are upstairs before I move the coop. The chickens you see are about 2 month old Buff Orpingtons. I still have a couple of months to go before eggs. Our four boys (ages 8 to 14) definitely find the chickens interesting and keep asking about eggs. Holly's CoopHi David - I've attached some pics of the coop and my chickens. Everyone is in awe of it! Still have a few finishing touches to put on it (like the handles on that side). Damon's CoopI just finished our coop using your plans. I made a couple of modifications based on prior suggestions and came up with a design for wheels. I thought you would appreciate these pictures. The plywood for the wheel supports was cut from a thicker piece than that called for with the coop floor. I used another portion of the thinner plywood to build a feeder into one of the coop doors similar to the one on your website using plexiglass. Finally, I also put a layer of the same vinyl coated 2x3 fencing along the bottom; however, later decided to cut the majority out of the middle leaving strips of about 6 inches all the way around. We did this in an effort to keep the protection from predators reaching under the coop while still allowing the chickens the freedom to more easily scratch the ground. Feel free to post these pictures as you see fit. Bob's CoopI struggled with the 60 degree cuts on my miter saw and had to make an adjustment on the side panel to "fudge" the design with two 1X3X8's just above the carrying handles. I weatherproofed the seams between the handles and the new lumber with water sealant and window caulk, to prevent leaks. The handles are poplar, the roof is pressure treated wood and the rest is big box lumber. Are three Rhode Island Red Hens are enjoying their new home. I live in Mexico, NY and the coops have attracted the interest of our local bartering group (on Facebook at "Caring, Trading and Sharing in Mexico, NY") Beverly's CoopSSG Jesse's CoopGeoff's CoopYour plans were spot-on, everything fit nicely, especially nice considering how much pressure-treated wood moves as it is cut and dries. I've never used Sketchup, looks interesting. I use BobCAD 3D to generate Gcode for my model tractors, woodntractors.com - I shut down after the economy crashed since people don't buy expensive models when they don't have money. But it was a great learning experience for me! Keep up the good work. - Geoff" Doms's CoopDom made some changes to the design including integrating feeding and watering directly onto the structure of the coop. It's all redwood except for the coop floor of course… protected with linseed oil, and plastic bender board on the bottom where it has ground contact. Chico's CoopHere are some pics of our newly finished ChickInn Coop. Your plans were super easy to follow and very well detailed. I made a few changes and added a Lil Giant Auto waterer... much easier than bending down to fill a waterer. I had about $170.00 in the build and this included the Lil Giant.Instead of cutting out the ramp door and using a 1x10, I used 3/8" plywood and left a small tab in the corner attached so the door would not flop around while assembly was done. I used two 3" T-Hinges and attached while the board was on my sawhorses. I reinforced the bottom with two 1x2 strips to stop warping. It is just to hard for a prosperous man (large) to crawl around on the floor putting the ramp in. After all assembly was completed I simply cut the small tab with my saber saw. I additionally used my mini router to route the edges off all the roof top boards. I purchased my hardware from www.Hardwareworld.com. I found them to be the cheapest priced on the net. Wayne's CoopWayne has a few suggestions of his own for future builders
Samantha's CoopAfter making a full size coop and learning about my chicks, I decided that I might need to make another. We have 4 Buff Orpingtons and 2 leghorns. Apparently the Orpingtons can get to a good size. I modified your plans somewhat and made a half-sized coop for the two Leghorns. Just one roof side opens and is on hinges. This gives access to the entire upstairs. I also fenced three sides on the bottom, so only one side opens. All of our chickens seem happy and are doing well in their homes.
Joel's CoopJust a note to tell you what a nicely designed coop you created and how many compliments I have received since building and placing one in my back yard.The snow has them limited these past few weeks. I put a piece of plastic over the west side of the coop to protect them from the wind and so far they are enduring the cold. They usually huddle in one nesting box. I’ve contemplated putting a light bulb inside for them to generate a little heat. My farmer friends say not to worry, they can handle the cold... but hey, these are pampered ladies you know! Michael's CoopMichael is one of my neighbors and bought the coop plans from me at the local farmer's market. He also came by the house and bought some young pullets from me last spring. Occasionally I would see him around the neighborhood, and he would joke with me that, "Those chickens you sold me haven't started laying yet!"Most recently, I saw him out Trick or Treating with the kids, and his chickens still hadn't started laying. Then just a few days later I get an email with the pics above, "Here are the photos of our first egg." It's always a red letter day when that first egg comes! Sharon's CoopWe finished our coop and we - and our "girls" (four pullets) - are just loving it! We haven't quite gotten to finishing the handles... or shortening the pulley cord... or adding the side handles, but we just couldn't wait to move them in! Thank you again so much for the plans that made it possible. You've been so helpful. I have yet another question. Can you share your "maintenance" routine and what you use for keeping the coop in tip-top shape? Such as how often you change the bedding? And how and how often you clean the roost/nest box area?
Ben's CoopFor someone who has no experience building stuff like this before, the instructions were, for the most part, very clear. The only parts I wasn't sure about was for the ramp. I decided to forego any steps for my birds, but made the ramp longer so that the angle was less. They don't seem to have any problems with it.I also didn't use any pulleys or anything, but just used what I had, and it seems to work pretty darned well so far. I just don't have any good way to fasten the rope to keep the ramp in the up position. I've been tying it to a handle for now, and that seems to do the trick. The biggest thing I would recommend though, is to include a gravity feeder into the plans to attach to one of the doors. I made something to fit in between the braces of one door, and it works great! I hope you enjoy the pics. Ashley and TJ's CoopThank you for the plans and advice on raising chickens! We've attached some pics of the process and final product.We thought the following disclaimer should be added to the plans, "For every child under the age of 5 'helping' add 2 extra days to the completion time!" We had a lot of fun, some frustration, but in the end we are very pleased with our coop and so are the inhabitants! Also, we added 2 extra feet in length to accommodate our 8 large breed chickens. This, of course, caused a few miscalculations here and there but it all worked out in the end. Thanks again! Hopefully in a few months we'll have pics of our fresh eggs. Ashley and TJ Gordon's CoopWe thought you'd like to see our coop. We love it and plan to build another.George's CoopMy Catawba Coop is now completed and occupied by three happy little hens (at least we hope they are hens). I looked at dozens of chicken tractors, arks and coops online before deciding on this one, and I couldn’t be happier. I think it is unmatched for looks, practicality, and affordability. The instructions were very clear and detailed. I especially appreciated seeing the 3D animation that came along with it, which made walking through the step-by-step detailed instructions that much easier to follow. I learned a lot of neat tips from the comments you posted from other customers, so I thought I would share some modifications that I made along with photos:
Kristen's CoopKristen also has some words of advice for those building their coop about attaching the ramp to the bottom of the coop.
Several weeks later, I received this email from Kristen:
I recommended to coop builders that if you are looking for a natural wood sealant, please consider boiled linseed oil. Artists have used it as an oil paint pigment binder for hundreds of years. Don't get the unboiled stuff. Boiling the oil starts a polymerization process which makes it dry more quickly and more impervious to weather. Do not throw rags soaked with BLO in the garbage. The drying process is exothermic and releases large amounts of heat, which could cause a trash fire. Hang the rags up to dry someplace well ventilated. Never leave BLO soaked rags piled on top of each other.
Jim's CoopHi Dave, Thanks for the chicken coop plans. They worked like a charm. I gave my miter saw a workout and am glad I have a table saw. I hope to get some chickens over the weekend. Looks like the chickens are really doing well Jim, judging by the last picture in this series you sent me.
Pete's CoopDoug's CoopDoug has some some suggestions for prospective Catawba ConvertiCoop builders.
Mark's CoopMark sent me these pictures to show off his "first big woodworking project" and to tell me that his wife is thrilled with the new house for their chickens. He says that he had so much fun building it, he wants to build 10 more. Maybe this could become a great sidebar business for Mark. Julie's CoopPamela's CoopPamela brings up a point in her email that, because the coop ends and eggbox doors are not attached, small children should be supervised when collecting eggs.
David's CoopDavid... somehow... manages to find a parallel between optimizing a website for search engine indexing, with building a chick coop on his Dream Systems Media company blog. David writes,
The TinyCoopI have been so active in the changing of the Wake Forest town ordinances, the fine folks at the Farmer's Market have invited me to sell my chicken coop plans at their venue. Since I don't own a truck, and really am not interested in removing all the seats from my wife's minivan every Saturday morning to schlep a full sized coop to the market, I designed TinyCoop to sit on a table.TinyCoop is an exact scale replica of the Brougham ConvertiCoop, but it's only 20" long. It's scaled 1" : 4.25mm, which I know may sound odd, but it lets me rip boards from 1/4" 1/2" and 3/4" oak that match the size of the coop perfectly... just a lot smaller! And I like working in metric better than empirical measurement. Honestly, which is easier for you to figure out; 2 5/16" or 59mm? Laura's CoopLaura was having some difficulties putting the wood sides back on her coop after removing them. She writes: I think this is an excellent idea for someone who may not be able to handle the full weight of one of the sides. The small gap could be filled with a weatherproof gasket like those found on the bottom of screen doors. Notice that she has also painted her coop white. This will keep it cooler during the summer. Emily & Mike's CoopEmily has been a most outstanding advocate for chickens in our little town of Wake Forest. She was instrumental in getting the chicken ordinances changed in our community. Her husband Mike, never one to leave well enough alone , fooled around with his Catawba ConvertiCoop plans. He used my dimensions for cutting the lumber, and came up with this unique piece that reflects his own personality.
Jill's CoopJill was one of the first people to purchase coop plans from me. She recently posted these to her Facebook profile. Thanks for letting me post them Jill. Joe's CoopJoe wrote me about his coop project. He saved a substancial amount of money by using materials that he had left over from another project.
It appears that Joe has some unwanted company in the neighborhood. His Brougham ConvertiCoop has kept his Rhode Island Reds safe and secure. Joe writes: Wow... look at that dark, rich volcanic soil.I'll bet you could grow anything in that. How about sending some of that beautiful soil our way Joe? It must be better than our North Carolina red clay. Ricky's CoopRicky's mom Amy came across my coop plans and thought that she would buy a plan for her entrepreneurial minded 15 year old son. Amy writes:
Deniece's CoopDeniece is the first person to send me pictures of her completed coop. She has a word of advice for future coop builders:
Deniece, your coop looks great! Nice choice of hardware clasps and handles. Dave's Original Catawba ConvertiCoop "Brougham Edition"This is my second coop. I used the prototype to work the kinks out and then built this one based solely upon the plans. Catawba ConvertiCoops Featured on NBC-17 Evening News
We're featured on the evening news. The piece below was originally aired by NBC-17 News on July 11th, 2008. It's got a lot of great shots of the Brougham ConvertiCoop, and another chicken tractor that my wife asked my to build so that the kids could get in and play with the chickens. Dave's Prototype CoopThis is my original. There are some things I don't like about it, such as horizontal boards placed along the ground that catch all kinds of dirt that the chickens kick around. I fixed these issues with the Brougham edition ConvertiCoop. |