Over the last several weekends we have been working away, so I thought it was time to share an update of our chicken coop plans! I started by researching and reading, and of course pinning ideas to pinterest!
We decided to build a large shed, and divide a portion of it off for the chickens. We also opted for an enclosed and covered run. Because we get such snowy winters I thought it would be nice to keep a covered outside area that the chickens can still access all year- temperatures permitting. We also have a lot of potential predators where we live, so a run seemed necessary.
We’ve divided the interior of the shed- 4×12 feet for the chickens, and 8 x 12 feet for the shed… I’ll be sharing a full tour once it’s ready!
You can really see the process from the beginning until now in this video!
The Plan
We decided to build a 12×12 shed with 2 windows and 2 doors, with an attached 12×8 run. The actual chicken area inside the shed is 4×12 feet. The rest of the shed is for storage and gardening gear. In addition to the shed/coop/run, we are also attaching a poly tunnel greenhouse to the side.
I was inspired by these images in terms of the look and feel of the shed, as well as how I’d like to see it integrated into the yard.
Aren’t these both just lovely?! Ahhhh. A girl can dream.
The Materials
As much as possible we wanted to build this shed on a slim budget. We did have to purchase lumber (treated 2×6 for the floors and 2×4’s for the walls and roof and 1×3 for the trim and battons- which we ripped down) and sheeting for the roof, walls and floor. We used OSB for the walls, floors and roof- it lasts pretty well out here as long as it’s painted.
We had screws, nails, roof shingles, doors and windows! We also had just enough cedar sidewall shingles for the front! So that was a bonus. Not to mention some other random lumber we could utilize. I am super happy with how this has come together and can’t wait to share the full finished project with you!
More than anything, this has been such a fun family project, and a welcome distraction to normalcy during this difficult time. All of our kids sports have been cancelled for the summer. Pretty much any activity we can do with them other then playing in our yard is closed. Businesses are closed, and there are major physical distancing guidelines in effect…. it’s all surreal. I am praying God shows us the best way forward so that we can get businesses reopened, and people back to work. More than 3 million Canadians are officially unemployed (for my American friends that leaves us with a 13% unemployment rate, with actual unemployment sitting at about 17%) It is catastrophic. Thankfully the Covid case count is incredibly low, and now we wait on our government to stand by their “flatten the curve” rhetoric and reopen the country sooner than later, after a 2 month shut down that they are now saying will last until the fall, with a slight lift from September to December. I won’t get into all of my thoughts on the subject, but it has been hard on our family for many reasons…
I hope to have some finished shots of the coop soon! We just need to finish it first 😉 I’ve been sharing a bunch of updates over on instagram as well. Thanks for stopping by today. Blessings,
-Miss Ash