Hola Chris. Thanks for the video! I took notes the whole time because we're about to build one down here in Costa Rica based on Justin's designs and I like your improvements. Ours is gonna be welded metal instead of wood because it'll last longer in the tropics. One question I have is why do you use 1/2 inch screen for the sides and not 1" like you do for the bottom? And why did you put 1/2" screen on the sidewalls and then cover it with the corrugated metal? Was the screen necessary there? Muchas gracias!
Awesome to have viewers from Costa Rica! I really just followed what he did on the mesh. I don’t think using 1” on the sides would cause any issues at all. I also questioned why he used mesh on the sides and then covered it up with the siding. The only thing I could think of is the small access hole created by the corrugated slots. Depending on the size of those corrugations, you could have a 2” access hole. Not sure what varmints that would give access to but I assume snakes eating eggs or maybe small rat type varmints? Anyway I just decided to copy him since it wasn’t much cost to do so. I’m not loving the run chicken automatic doors as much now. They work great during the warm weather but we discovered that cold weather has them freeze and not open. Probably not an issue in your climate but something to consider for freezing locations. Thanks for watching!
A lot of good improvement tips. I'm working on one that places the nest boxes at floor level rather than at the top (but also with a door). That's always been a major design flaw to me if you consider chicken behavior -- everything in them says roost as high as possible - so roosting in the nest boxes is a fight one just doesn't need to have. Besides, the space under the nest boxes useless because chickens won't sleep there.
I haven’t had too much issue with roosting in the nest boxes but the area below the nesting boxes is wasted space for sure. I would make sure they can’t roost above the nesting boxes and poop inside them while roosted. It’s been so hot this summer in Ohio that mine gave up on roosting inside the coop all together. They are all roosting on the roof this summer lol. But they are still faithfully using the nesting boxes to lay which is good. Hopefully they go back to inside the coop when it cools down. Thanks for watching and the comment. Hope your build goes well and the improvements work out!
You are welcome. I’m sure you can come up with a better handle. I’m going to do a run chicken automatic door review soon. I did have issues in my freeze thaw winter here in Ohio. That would be my only edit to this video at this point. I still like those door 9 months out of the year but not in the winter here.
I do not but here is the famous guy that has plans in the descriptive of the below video he offers for free. My adjustments are small. Smaller cheaper wheels, 3 nesting boxes, a door on the back, etc. I would ask a grandkid or neighbor to help you. There is someone that would love the opportunity to build one with you I’m sure. ua-cam.com/video/MbhCe12M1bo/v-deo.htmlsi=7aon5Q_cEFX1IT8Y Let me know if I can help with specific questions.
@mikemacinnes6120 I’m definitely interested but we have too many chickens right now. Maybe next spring I’ll contact you. Looks like an interesting breed to try
Just found your channel. How many chickens do you have in this? I have my first flock if 12 getting ready to go outside soon. Thanks for the video and upgrade suggestions! 😊
Sorry for some reason I didn’t get notified of this comment. We currently have about 33 chickens. They actually can all fit in the coop and do sometimes. I actually have two…Justin Rhodes’ original chickshaw mini and this modified design. The limitation is more so on how many nesting boxes are needed. I found out that we needed more than 2 boxes for the 20-25 birds we had laying at the time. So this design gives you one extra nesting box. Of course the chickens normally have a favorite box and wait for that one. but with 25 birds laying right now, I do get a few eggs from all five nesting boxes each day and 10 from the favorite one
You could possibly add a heat lamp. I’m no chicken expert but my daughter has done a lot of research and closed up coops can actually cause more freeze risk than well ventilated coops. Here in Ohio we have negative 5-10F temps and we did get a few combs with frost bite. But the chickens are fine. You may need to research this more because I’m not qualified. Thanks for watching and the comment :)
Hi Chris great video and great improvements thank you so much for putting this out there I'm going to build this using your improvements one question is can you give me how much distance you moved back the axle so that it wouldn't tip and I won't need that kickstand?
My sincere apologies! I’m not sure how I missed your comment. Front to back is 4 feet on this coop. I mounted mine at 2 feet 8 inches from the front. So about 8 inches offset. Hope my answer is not too late.
The diagonal braces didn't give a length, it just says something like "cut to fit." It doesn't appear to go completely corner to corner, so how did you choose how long to make yours? I'm in the middle of building and I'm kinda stuck at this step, lol
I don’t think it is very critical. They are just giving the box strength against racking. I’ll take a look tomorrow and see if mine went corner to corner. But honestly I think it’s up to you.
His original one held 28 but not enough nesting boxes. So this model adds a nesting box but you lose that roosting bar so lose some space. I would say 20ish in this new model.
Question: how did you attach the axel rod to the 2 x 4 underneath? We got the 20 inch wheels as a cost savings and are trying to figure out how best to attach to the 2 x 4 for extra height.
I simply put the axel rod or threaded bolt on the center of the 2x4 and then used U-shaped rigid pipe straps. You can get them on Amazon or your big box stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot will have them in the electrical conduit section. Hope that helps.
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle I have the same question and I think I understand your answer here. Any chance you could post a picture to confirm what I'm envisioning?
@JoeDays23 I cannot figure out how to send pictures here. You can find me on Facebook under Woodworking McDaniel Style same logo and message me there. I can send pics that way to help you out.
I think the metal gets hot to the touch when in the direct sun but the nesting boxes were staying full with 99% of eggs being laid in the boxes. So I think that tells me that the coop was not too hot here in southern Ohio. By the time they come in to roost, the sun is down and the temps are in the 60-75 degree F range here. I shopped many different plastics, pvc’s, metals etc and went with this cheap galvanized metal because of durability and price. I think all products would work and is entirely up to you on preference.
Thanks for the response! I live in a similar climate and have harsh winters. Has it been "sweating" at all in your winter season? or any condensation build up at all?@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle
Thanks for the reply! Did you notice the shaw "sweat" at all or have any condensation in the winter when you used the metal siding and roof?@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle
Sorry I missed your first comment. No I haven’t noticed any sweating. Probably because it is pretty open with lots of air flow and no temperature difference between the two sides of the metal. I wouldn’t stress over this too much because you could easily replace whatever material you pick if you decide you don’t like it. They did have some higher quality non metal materials available at the big box stores but I went cheap lol
We don’t do anything special. I think make sure they have a wind block. We have had some sub zero days and the breeds with big combs did get minor frost bite. But they leave the coops and walk outside. You could put a heat light in the coop maybe if you have harsher winters.
I mean, it's not like you're actually biking with it, just take the tires/tubes off the wheels and roll it around on the rims. Tires are for rim endurance and rider comfort, 🤷🏻♂️ just a thought.
No. Justin Rhodes provides those to people for free. The mini has some errors in them but overall they are good plans for the price lol. I would watch a few videos like mine and pair that with the plans and you should be good to go with making your own flavor.
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle That was my understanding from his site, entered my email as requested but never received the email with the plans I was expecting. Oh well, thanks.
My real life experience is different. There was plenty of room in the coop and the birds were cuddled up together instead of spreading out inside the available space inside. They seem to like closeness. The nesting boxes are definitely the limiting factor but even then they all fall in love with the same nesting box. 5 boxes and many times they only use 2. Weird birds
I am also going to be doing a video on the chicksaw, it’s horrible for those of us that live in true country with coyotes and bobcats. They will get in the chick saw, it is not coyote proof nor bobcat proof. At one point the bobcat got so desperate he ripped open the roof of the chicksaw and I am telling you I followed the plans to the letter, all the same materials and screws.
We haven’t had any issues with Coyotes ever. We have them here but they don’t tend to come that close to the house. We have had bobcat, raccoon, Fox, possum, and hawk issues in the past. We haven’t since building this chickshaw. So of it may be the fact that we have an electric chicken netting surrounding the coop. Hopefully you can come up with a solution that works for you. It’s so frustrating to lose chickens to varmints.
Imaging using someone elses free designs not once but twice and having the audacity to call his design horrible. Did you even bother to mention how grateful you were that he provide the plans and step by step instructions for free??? Zero class.
Not sure what video you watched but I said I built a second one because I liked the first one so much. I did not say his design was “Horrible”. I made this video to help others see some improvements they might like to make on their chickshaw. Thanks for watching and commenting
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle I think he's referring to you saying the kickstand was a horrible design around the 15:40 mark. I, for one, appreciate the improvements made. Unless you're passing off the design as your own or profiting off it, we all benefit from any improvement, no matter how small, to another's work.
@Norbingel oh ok. Yeah I had several friends build them before me and they discussed the kickstand troubles. I do need to do an update video on the run chicken automatic doors. They are great in the warmer months here in Ohio. This winter they didn’t work. It is muddy during the day and then the mud freezes at night and the doors won’t open. So I’m less enthusiastic about those doors. Keep that in mind if you are building one of these. Thanks for watching and the comment!
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle Loved your changes to this and plan to rebuild mine this year using some of those! On the door - if it's getting wet, and that's what's freezing it up, would an awning over it protect it enough? Or is it simply the cold?
@morningmystfarm2017 thank you! On the door, I think it’s more a mud freezing issue. So here in Ohio in the winter it gets muddy during the day because it is above freezing. The mud is on their feet and they push this mud into the door slot at the bottom. The mud freezes at night and is still frozen at daylight. I think if it was always below freezing or always above freezing, the issue would go away.
Thanks for showing the door to block access to the nesting boxes and for your review in general.
You are welcome. Thank you so much for the comment!
Love your design..thanks for sharing all the details!
You are very welcome!
This is fantastic! I didn’t trust the nesting box’s being exposed, either.
Thank you for sharing. We start our build in two weeks. ❤
Thank you! Good luck and let me know if you have any questions along the way.
Hola Chris. Thanks for the video! I took notes the whole time because we're about to build one down here in Costa Rica based on Justin's designs and I like your improvements. Ours is gonna be welded metal instead of wood because it'll last longer in the tropics.
One question I have is why do you use 1/2 inch screen for the sides and not 1" like you do for the bottom? And why did you put 1/2" screen on the sidewalls and then cover it with the corrugated metal? Was the screen necessary there? Muchas gracias!
Awesome to have viewers from Costa Rica! I really just followed what he did on the mesh. I don’t think using 1” on the sides would cause any issues at all. I also questioned why he used mesh on the sides and then covered it up with the siding. The only thing I could think of is the small access hole created by the corrugated slots. Depending on the size of those corrugations, you could have a 2” access hole. Not sure what varmints that would give access to but I assume snakes eating eggs or maybe small rat type varmints? Anyway I just decided to copy him since it wasn’t much cost to do so. I’m not loving the run chicken automatic doors as much now. They work great during the warm weather but we discovered that cold weather has them freeze and not open. Probably not an issue in your climate but something to consider for freezing locations. Thanks for watching!
A lot of good improvement tips. I'm working on one that places the nest boxes at floor level rather than at the top (but also with a door). That's always been a major design flaw to me if you consider chicken behavior -- everything in them says roost as high as possible - so roosting in the nest boxes is a fight one just doesn't need to have. Besides, the space under the nest boxes useless because chickens won't sleep there.
I haven’t had too much issue with roosting in the nest boxes but the area below the nesting boxes is wasted space for sure. I would make sure they can’t roost above the nesting boxes and poop inside them while roosted. It’s been so hot this summer in Ohio that mine gave up on roosting inside the coop all together. They are all roosting on the roof this summer lol. But they are still faithfully using the nesting boxes to lay which is good. Hopefully they go back to inside the coop when it cools down. Thanks for watching and the comment. Hope your build goes well and the improvements work out!
Thank you soooo much gentleman.
You are very welcome! Thanks for the comment and let me know if you have any questions.
Thankyou for this. Very helpful
You are very welcome! Good luck with your build :)
Thanks for sharing your design improvements I think I would make the handles longer so you are pulling on something solid as opposed to to the rope
You are welcome. I’m sure you can come up with a better handle. I’m going to do a run chicken automatic door review soon. I did have issues in my freeze thaw winter here in Ohio. That would be my only edit to this video at this point. I still like those door 9 months out of the year but not in the winter here.
Nicely done!
Thank you!
Do you have your design in detail that this disabled grandma can build by myself? Thankyou.
I do not but here is the famous guy that has plans in the descriptive of the below video he offers for free. My adjustments are small. Smaller cheaper wheels, 3 nesting boxes, a door on the back, etc. I would ask a grandkid or neighbor to help you. There is someone that would love the opportunity to build one with you I’m sure.
ua-cam.com/video/MbhCe12M1bo/v-deo.htmlsi=7aon5Q_cEFX1IT8Y
Let me know if I can help with specific questions.
I actually prefer the new one! I love that Rooster! And the chickens do too.
I’m glad you like it 😘
Awesome video brother
Thank you! I really appreciate the feedback :)
Nj bresse farms. That’s me. If you ever need bresse eggs or chicks let me know, I’ll send you whatever you need for a video
@mikemacinnes6120 I’m definitely interested but we have too many chickens right now. Maybe next spring I’ll contact you. Looks like an interesting breed to try
Just found your channel. How many chickens do you have in this? I have my first flock if 12 getting ready to go outside soon. Thanks for the video and upgrade suggestions! 😊
Sorry for some reason I didn’t get notified of this comment. We currently have about 33 chickens. They actually can all fit in the coop and do sometimes. I actually have two…Justin Rhodes’ original chickshaw mini and this modified design. The limitation is more so on how many nesting boxes are needed. I found out that we needed more than 2 boxes for the 20-25 birds we had laying at the time. So this design gives you one extra nesting box. Of course the chickens normally have a favorite box and wait for that one. but with 25 birds laying right now, I do get a few eggs from all five nesting boxes each day and 10 from the favorite one
I like this but how would this get winterized. I live in VT.
You could possibly add a heat lamp. I’m no chicken expert but my daughter has done a lot of research and closed up coops can actually cause more freeze risk than well ventilated coops. Here in Ohio we have negative 5-10F temps and we did get a few combs with frost bite. But the chickens are fine. You may need to research this more because I’m not qualified. Thanks for watching and the comment :)
Hi Chris great video and great improvements thank you so much for putting this out there I'm going to build this using your improvements one question is can you give me how much distance you moved back the axle so that it wouldn't tip and I won't need that kickstand?
I’d like to know, as well.
My sincere apologies! I’m not sure how I missed your comment. Front to back is 4 feet on this coop. I mounted mine at 2 feet 8 inches from the front. So about 8 inches offset. Hope my answer is not too late.
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle just in time for me! Thank you!🙏
Great video brother!
Thanks Devan! Didn’t know you were a subscriber :)
The diagonal braces didn't give a length, it just says something like "cut to fit." It doesn't appear to go completely corner to corner, so how did you choose how long to make yours? I'm in the middle of building and I'm kinda stuck at this step, lol
Actually, I do see that yours appear to go corner to corner. 😅 The drawing in the plans did not, so that was confusing. xD
I don’t think it is very critical. They are just giving the box strength against racking. I’ll take a look tomorrow and see if mine went corner to corner. But honestly I think it’s up to you.
how many hens does this hold?
His original one held 28 but not enough nesting boxes. So this model adds a nesting box but you lose that roosting bar so lose some space. I would say 20ish in this new model.
Question: how did you attach the axel rod to the 2 x 4 underneath? We got the 20 inch wheels as a cost savings and are trying to figure out how best to attach to the 2 x 4 for extra height.
I simply put the axel rod or threaded bolt on the center of the 2x4 and then used U-shaped rigid pipe straps. You can get them on Amazon or your big box stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot will have them in the electrical conduit section. Hope that helps.
Very helpful, thank you so much for the quick reply! Hoping to finish the build today!
@LeahValerie86 awesome! I think you will like these coops. Thanks for supporting this channel :)
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle I have the same question and I think I understand your answer here. Any chance you could post a picture to confirm what I'm envisioning?
@JoeDays23 I cannot figure out how to send pictures here. You can find me on Facebook under Woodworking McDaniel Style same logo and message me there. I can send pics that way to help you out.
Does the metal roof and walls get hot in the summer? I think Justin used plastic but im not sure if it would make a difference or not
I think the metal gets hot to the touch when in the direct sun but the nesting boxes were staying full with 99% of eggs being laid in the boxes. So I think that tells me that the coop was not too hot here in southern Ohio. By the time they come in to roost, the sun is down and the temps are in the 60-75 degree F range here. I shopped many different plastics, pvc’s, metals etc and went with this cheap galvanized metal because of durability and price. I think all products would work and is entirely up to you on preference.
Thanks for the response! I live in a similar climate and have harsh winters. Has it been "sweating" at all in your winter season? or any condensation build up at all?@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle
Thanks for the reply! Did you notice the shaw "sweat" at all or have any condensation in the winter when you used the metal siding and roof?@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle
Sorry I missed your first comment. No I haven’t noticed any sweating. Probably because it is pretty open with lots of air flow and no temperature difference between the two sides of the metal. I wouldn’t stress over this too much because you could easily replace whatever material you pick if you decide you don’t like it. They did have some higher quality non metal materials available at the big box stores but I went cheap lol
what are your winters where you're located?
I’m in southern, Ohio in the United States. Normally the lows are in the 20F range and highs in the 30-40F range. We do get some days with sub zero F.
@@woodworkingmcdanielstylewhat do you do in the winter to make sure your chickens are warm In these?
We don’t do anything special. I think make sure they have a wind block. We have had some sub zero days and the breeds with big combs did get minor frost bite. But they leave the coops and walk outside. You could put a heat light in the coop maybe if you have harsher winters.
If you go to goodwill and get a kids bike for 10 bucks you can safe $190 on wheels 🤪
I would be curious how that works for people. I don’t like the idea of of potential flats haha
I mean, it's not like you're actually biking with it, just take the tires/tubes off the wheels and roll it around on the rims. Tires are for rim endurance and rider comfort, 🤷🏻♂️ just a thought.
That's my plan 😊
Did you have to pay for the original ChickSaw "blue prints"
No. Justin Rhodes provides those to people for free. The mini has some errors in them but overall they are good plans for the price lol. I would watch a few videos like mine and pair that with the plans and you should be good to go with making your own flavor.
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle That was my understanding from his site, entered my email as requested but never received the email with the plans I was expecting. Oh well, thanks.
Need 3 square feet for each bird. 12 inches each for roosters and 10 inches for females on roosting boards. Doesn't take long to overcrowding birds.
And 5 birds per nesting box is what is recommended.
My real life experience is different. There was plenty of room in the coop and the birds were cuddled up together instead of spreading out inside the available space inside. They seem to like closeness. The nesting boxes are definitely the limiting factor but even then they all fall in love with the same nesting box. 5 boxes and many times they only use 2. Weird birds
I am also going to be doing a video on the chicksaw, it’s horrible for those of us that live in true country with coyotes and bobcats. They will get in the chick saw, it is not coyote proof nor bobcat proof. At one point the bobcat got so desperate he ripped open the roof of the chicksaw and I am telling you I followed the plans to the letter, all the same materials and screws.
We haven’t had any issues with Coyotes ever. We have them here but they don’t tend to come that close to the house. We have had bobcat, raccoon, Fox, possum, and hawk issues in the past. We haven’t since building this chickshaw. So of it may be the fact that we have an electric chicken netting surrounding the coop. Hopefully you can come up with a solution that works for you. It’s so frustrating to lose chickens to varmints.
@ yeah and it’s been a learning experience, I mean wow the bobcat ripped the roof right off the chicksaw
That’s crazy! I had a bobcat get in my old coop and he couldn’t figure out how to get back out. So he killed every chicken.
@ LOL so what did you do with it since it couldn’t get out?
Limited options but you probably can guess…
Imaging using someone elses free designs not once but twice and having the audacity to call his design horrible. Did you even bother to mention how grateful you were that he provide the plans and step by step instructions for free??? Zero class.
Not sure what video you watched but I said I built a second one because I liked the first one so much. I did not say his design was “Horrible”. I made this video to help others see some improvements they might like to make on their chickshaw. Thanks for watching and commenting
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle I think he's referring to you saying the kickstand was a horrible design around the 15:40 mark. I, for one, appreciate the improvements made. Unless you're passing off the design as your own or profiting off it, we all benefit from any improvement, no matter how small, to another's work.
@Norbingel oh ok. Yeah I had several friends build them before me and they discussed the kickstand troubles. I do need to do an update video on the run chicken automatic doors. They are great in the warmer months here in Ohio. This winter they didn’t work. It is muddy during the day and then the mud freezes at night and the doors won’t open. So I’m less enthusiastic about those doors. Keep that in mind if you are building one of these. Thanks for watching and the comment!
@@woodworkingmcdanielstyle Loved your changes to this and plan to rebuild mine this year using some of those! On the door - if it's getting wet, and that's what's freezing it up, would an awning over it protect it enough? Or is it simply the cold?
@morningmystfarm2017 thank you! On the door, I think it’s more a mud freezing issue. So here in Ohio in the winter it gets muddy during the day because it is above freezing. The mud is on their feet and they push this mud into the door slot at the bottom. The mud freezes at night and is still frozen at daylight. I think if it was always below freezing or always above freezing, the issue would go away.