OUR DREAM CHICKEN COOP | Minimal Care Poultry Housing | DIY Efficient Design for Backyard Homestead
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- We're fixing all the struggles with chicken keeping in one simple coop design. More resources below!
BLOG: oakabode.com/chicken-farm-hou...
INSTAGRAM: @oak_abode
PODCAST: spoti.fi/3E7ADE4
CHICKENGUARD AUTOMATIC DOOR: amzn.to/3vqF6gv
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FEEDER: amzn.to/3rlYb2h
HEATED WATERER: amzn.to/3Pq0nUD
FLEECE ZIP-UP: amzn.to/2Kms4Pv
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0:00-0:57 - Intro
0:58-1:52 - Exterior
1:53-2:40 - Feeder
2:42-3:47 - Roost & Ventilation
3:48-5:55 - Automatic Coop Door
5:56-7:15 - Floor Plan
7:16-8:09 - Water Box
8:10-9:12 - Nest Box
9:13-10:04 - Raised Design
10:05-11:12 - Calcium Treats
11:13-12:50 - Summary
We're not experts, so we always recommend talking to the pros for the best advice. This post and comments below contain affiliate links, which may lead to a small commission if purchased. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
We have just released plans for the coop on our Etsy shop! Follow the link below to learn more.
www.etsy.com/listing/947189202/efficient-chicken-coop-plans-diy?ref=shop_home_active_1
Lol I sound silly for asking this but will you share your soundtrack playlist?
@Oak Abode How much did it cost you to make this? I didn't hear you mention in the video, but maybe I missed that part? Thank you!
What is the cost to make this size coop?
@@melbee1000 She said around $500-$600. (asked her on Etsy) My guess is, with wood prices being up, it will probably be on the higher end of the number.
@@NamasteTexas Sounds like “Leaning on The Everlasting Arms” on repeat.
You should change that roost from a narrow board, to a wider board. I live up north to and it’s much better for the chickens if their feet are completely covered by their feathers. The best way to do that is a roost As wide as their feet. Good luck
And it needs to be a round perch, the sharp corners will damage their feet and toes. 🥺
Thats what I was going to suggest!
Switch to 2x4 letting them lay on the 4” side. Great job though!
About how much time and money did this cost?
2x4s... sanded... ❤
i'm planning on painting mine purple and calling it the egg plant
LOL that's fantastic
I like your coop. The natural shade and water box are real nice. I think the chickens need a wider roost and more air flow, which I think you had plans for. Regarding the next box. Instead of lifting the top for access it’s much easier (especially in bad weather) to build a door into the back of the box. At one time we even built the floor of the next box to hinge and open down, dumping everything into a wheelbarrow for cleaning. Very simple and convenient.
"built the floor of the next box to hinge and open down, dumping everything into a wheelbarrow for cleaning" Love that idea! Thanks for sharing....
That water box is a great idea!!
I just got chickens and I am so happy I found this channel because it's my absolute first time having a chicks. (Never even held one before this too) and because of your channel I have been doing good at helping them and caring for them :)
Thank you very much!!
I am here studying! Plan to build my coop then get some girls.
Breeds you recommend???
good for you.. "thinking outside the coop" nice choice to build off ground! nice
we also live in wisconsin and just built another similar coop. i love the raised coop, keeps any critters from taking up residence under the coop. we insulated ours and then used plywood to cover walls. we dont heat it and leave a window cracked and it is much warmer inside than out. also use deep bedding and there is no problem at all with not being warm enough. we built an attached hoop house for the winter deep bedded with mulch and leaves and they love it.
Could you clarify if you use leaves, grass clippings for the litter? I heard a few inches of river sand as the base keeps the coop & run dry.
What's a hoop house. I'm really new to this.
@lynn diehl a type of simplified greenhouse using pvc pipe and plastic visquine. Do a web search for hoop house and you’ll probably get a million images of them full of pot plants. It’s become the preferred grow method here in California. I use hoop houses for pepper plants as my part of the state gets cold. It would basically be like a heated chicken run. Great idea for chickens in the winter.
Thank you for adding this info! Just got an Eglu for our new flock and was concerned about being warm enough. I liked the raised house and ability to free range (it rolls) while still protecting from the hawks and eagles that fly over the fields regularly. It was actually cheaper than building a hen house on a small “flat bed”. Would you please explain the “hoop house”?
I cannot express how much I love that you have a chicken named Reptar. It brings me far too much joy and she's super precious!
A great coop! Your excitement for your new coop, designed the way you want it, is palpable!
Having removable perches is important. They get messy fast and can get mites if not cleaned. It's easier to cut tree limbs and discard them and replace as needed. Also it's better for their feet to have different sized limbs to use different muscles as it would be in nature.
I was wondering about using tree limbs for roosts, so I appreciate your post!
That makes so much sense!
I will agree, but it is hard to cut tree limbs when you don't have any trees.
Wow!! Thank you soooo much for posting this video. I had been struggling with raising chickens in an inferior coop. I followed the same basic layout as your coop in building a new one and my chicken babies are so happy with the new digs! Cleaning is easier, feeding & watering are MUCH easier, as is egg collection. Truly a great design!
I have never had chickens and have looked into this a little bit. Thanks so much for sharing. Love the door and the way you keep the water and the fact you have it above ground to give them more room and options. It's wonderful that you can disassemble it. Every tip helps.
That was one of my favorite songs we'd sing Sunday evenings in our little church when I was a kid some 50 years ago. Still brings a peaceful tear.
Awesome job! You guys did a great 😀👍
Love the background music!
I built one about that exact size and design...I now wish I would have gone much larger. Since I am intending to add some more hens this spring, I will be building a proper chicken house prob 8'x12 with an 8' roof. Like you mentioned, I had the feeder and waterer hanging inside the coop. Then, I was reading up and learned the chickens do not need food or water inside their coop at night. I removed both and they now have much more room. They seem calmer and the picking virtually stopped and everyone is happy. The heavies prefer to stay on the floor and sleep in a pile and the Ameraucanas prefer to sleep on the perch. I built a 25'x10' covered run and winterized it tightly with 6 mil plastic. They are safe and happy with plenty of room to run around and play on straw bails. I use straw on the ground to keep them off the cold ground. We also like to sit inside the run with them every day so there's room for a few lawn chairs. On sunny days, the plastic room warms up to a very comfortable temp. even on 20 degree windy days.
Chicken people with a lot of heart. Meaning very caring for there. Chickens. Loved every minute of this video.
it really dream chicken coop for chickens and owner to enjoy, auto openin of door isnt just cool, wonderful
Well for me I enjoy opening the coop and see my chickens just run outside 😍😍
I would LOVE to watch a video or read a blog review on what you think a year later! I’m planning on building my coop this winter for spring chicks!
So glad to have found your channel! We are hopefully going to be chicken owners this year and we also live in Wisconsin. All of your info and tips are so helpful!
Looks like a great coop design! Right now, we're turning a shed that's attached to the house into our chicken coop because that gives them a lot of room and us access in the winter without having to go outdoors. Living in NH, we also get very cold and a lot of snow. This also allows us to run electricity to it, and I love your water box, I think I'll incorporate that too! Once we get it started I'll be posting a video.
Aren't you worried about bringing rodents to the house
Love that is elevated enough that you can pull wheelbarrow under it for easy cleanup.
We are new to having chickens and so excited to plan our coop for this summer. We are in northern Indiana. Thank you so much for posting this video! I am certainly going to incorporate some of your plans!
I really like your coop. I have been looking at coop designs for about 1 year now. I thought I found the one that I was going to make, but your design is great and looks like it is easier to make. Thanks for the post. 👍🏻
I use so many of your ideas....latest was the wood shavings. I LOVE THAT....as I'm not cleaning out poop every couple of days but rather sprinkling and looking forward to some wonderful compost!!! Wonderful job on the new coop!! And thank you, just ordered a 5lb bag as well.
I love the water compartment. That is one of my biggest challenges in my coop because I have ducks in there with my chickens and this would solve so many issues in my coop!
Thank you for this awesome video! I’m new to owning chickens and have been learning as much as I can to give them a good life in the yard. I’m now a new subscriber and look forward to learning more from your other videos. BTW, I’m sure I’ve watched at least 100’ chicken videos at this point and your video is the only one that I seen that showcases an automatic door. That is a genius idea. I also want my coop to be well thought out and as automated as possible. Thanks again for the great ideas!
Great coop design. I just became a first time chicken mamma and I'm so excited. We're building our own coop and it's almost done. Can't wait to get these little chickies outside foraging around. Thanks for sharing! Love the way your coop came out!❤️
Great video and coop design.
I built a similar one up on stumps, I also put three sides under it, one at the back and each end leaving the front open. It is their favourite spot when it’s raining or a strong cold wind blowing, they can be outside but sheltered, it also made a great spot for a dry dirt bath which they make good use of.
another point about having the coop above ground is that it provides a natural shade area for the extra hot days. great video, thanks!
I cant wait to see your new feeder and watering systems!
What an awesome coup! I really like the idea of the water box and deep mulch. Very cool
I love your videos and your enthusiasm. I use 1/4 x 16 inch removable poop boards just under the roosts and clean them daily. They really keep the coop clean. I also set an unbaited live trap alongside the coop run and caught many raccoons, opossums, and even a mink. Never lost a chicken to predators yet.
I love both your hints, here.....the poop boards and the traps alongside the coop run. Thanks for sharing!
I made a dog house for Montana hunting dogs freezing in makeshift covers. From insulted floor, made hallway down one side. Doorway into dog house was on inside wall, back of hallway (doorway lined with multiple layers of carpet strips cut fit doorway fully. In hallway, before inside door, built "pressure pad" dog had too step on, activating inside heat lamp. When dog left dog house he had too walk on pressure pad again "shutting off" heat lamp. We put an on/off switch by entrance too hallway so system could be shut off. Then we hinged one side of roof so complete dog house has access for blankets, pads, etc... The dogs loved it! An auto door like on your chick coop would have been great!
Wow on the pressure pad door operating set up. Did you design that yourself? Was it hard to do? I've never heard of it before, sounds great!
You are so creative minded and have knowledge about comfort for animals and birds. Stay blessed 😊😊😊
I would add a removable piece of wood in front of the clean out door to keep your deep litter from falling out then you open the door.
I came for the coop, I swear, but you're gorgeous.
Big hug from Brazil.
Thanks for the video.
I actually like your water cubby, that's much easier than the pipe and nipple system. Although in Alabama our winters are not as long nor quite as cold but cold enough to freeze water. Here the raised coop helps snakes. Love the automatic door as well. Thanks for sharing your ideas.
I'm getting ready to build a new (bigger) coop this summer and I'll definitely incorporate a lot of these great ideas!
Nice chicken coop. Agreed. I built an automatic chicken coop door. It maybe the single most awesome thing I've done for the chickens (besides building the coop). Great piece of mind.
I built my coop off the ground as well. As you point out, it gives them somewhere to go if it's raining. It also prevents predators from being able to dig under the coop and getting to the birds.
Love the videos... move into a new house I live in a big city ... 3 months later I found out that a chicken laid 10 eggs in my front Yard I decided not to eat the eggs but to let them hatch... oh boi the mother left the baby’s I didn’t know what to do so I kept him and now they are a month and a half. I don’t know what to do I don’t know what to get I put them in a plastic Bin inside my house at night and during the day I let them wander around my patio the good thing is I work from home. The scary part is I spotted a cat wandering around my house so now I’m afraid he might want to eat them. I want to get a chicken coop but I don’t want to get in trouble with the city. Over all I’m trying my best lol. Watching your videos I’m learning. Thx for the info
Love your new coop!! The water placement is a great idea!!!
Nice. make sure to add some protection against the sun for the feeder if you place it on the outside, as air moisture and heat together will cause mold in the feed very fast on summer.
Your coop design gave me a lot to think about with my new coop/ condo, especially with the external feeders and water boxes, to save space.
Really like the coop and the music! Good job!
Hi! Nice job. Our favorite feature is the water box! We use movable chicken tractors most of the year and a covered dog run with pallet cubbies in the winter but we really like the idea of preventing them from spilling and messing up the water!
So jealous! If we had more land, I would use moveable chicken tractors in a heartbeat!
Loved your coop design and automatic coop door. You get up in there easily for sure. I loved seeing you hand feed them. They are beautiful. I sub'd and looking forward to future and catching up videos. Very creative build and well designed.
That is a really nice chicken coop!! I have no carpentry skills but I would love to build one just like it. Chickens are great as pets too!! I raised around 7 of them one time and loved them for their friendliness and their tasty eggs!!
I am also in WI, and have a system to only clean the coops 1-2 times a year. Using wood chips 6-10" deep, which gets hot composted for the garden. That only works with a larger coop, and I'll rake it around when it's warm if things build up under roosts. I can get a PU truck load of wood chips for $5 in Eau Claire. Very nice set-up, chickens are so much fun to have.
I just bought my plans and can hardly wait to begin building this coop.
Not sure how I came across this channel, but I'm SO very glad I did!
Like all your other videos, excellent information! I’m putting my new shed together and I’ll be sure to incorporate some of your ideas. Keep them coming.
I love your coop. The modular design was a great idea if you're planning on moving. We recently finished building a chicken coop and one of the primary concerns was cost so we made it from pallets and wood scraps. It was a lot of work but it was very inexpensive.
My exact plan too…pallet wood and reclaimed 2 x 4s. 👍🏻
Love your down to earth videos.
We built our coop with a cement floor, 2 doors and 2 windows. It is a gable roof and the cost was under $1,000. It can house 100 birds. Guineas and chickens
The cement floor is 4 inches thick. and used 2 x 4's for all of the wood, and plywood.
We bought a small wooden house for children from our neighbours (it was a very cheap purchase), and made the rest of the walls, frames, doors and roof from wood collected from garbage and pallets. We only bought screws, polystyrene and OSB boards to cover the walls inside. And of course paint. We live in Poland, in an area where it can be cold in winter, so we wanted our chicken coop to be insulated. I have no experience, I'm not a carpenter - I'm a graphic designer, just like my husband. Using basic tools (saw, hammer, tacker and screwdriver) you can do it yourself. But that takes time. In our case - about a month (we worked on this project only on weekends).
Hi, I'm not sure if anyone will see this or not but wanted to say thanks cuz I use to have chickens all the time. But it's been years since I've had any so your videos are helping me out Aloottt... hahahaa. Not sure how well this is gonna go but I'm gonna give it a shot. Oh by the way...I've never raised babies before so this adventure I just jumped in & didn't realize what I was getting into. I already lost a Silky...my very first one. She had poopy but when I bought her. It was just a little and yes bought them at a feed store. Anyway only had her for not even 48 hours before I found out how to take care of the situation. I'm going to let the store know what happened maybe they will replace her. I sure got close to her in that time though. I was handling her & I think she knew who I was. Yes very sad. But I love chickens so I get attached quick. Anyway thanks so much for all your help. I sure needed it. By the way, I live down South...Way down south like Fl. south so I've always had them down here so my chicken pen is alot different than the ones up north. But hopefully it will be okay for them. I didn't realize how much more experience it is...oh well here I go...lol
You need to add screener windows on all 4 sides for ventilation to release toxic poop fumes and increase lighting for egg production.
Lastly, use a 2x2 roost bars and need to center it for more wing room.
Good luck.
I've never kept chickens and this is so informative. The automatic door is amazing. My first instinct is to worry that I would have a chicken that would get locked out. LOL. I've heard you say that chickens will put themselves to bed so this is just an awesome addition. It would be amazing to see farmers 100 years ago to see your coup.
We're so excited! We just purchased your plans. BTW, they are super helpful and informative, as much as you state they are not professional. Walked through them with my husband, and he was like "no problem!", sweet! We're urban gardeners and have about 12x20' area behind the garage for the chicken area, so we're going to build a run around this. We both love the efficiency of your design, and that is key for us compared to a cookie cut/designer kit. I'd rather have something I can manage more easily, than cute and is a pain in the fluffy butt. Since we have 12x20 space that we're relegating to the chicken area, we're looking at modifying the coop access location only because we have to maintain at least a 3' distance from property lines. It will all work out, thanks so much for a fantastic layout!
"pain in the fluff butt", never heard that before. 😄
Thanks - this has given me some great ideas to build my own housing in the U.K.
Question have you ever thought about round roost sticks? Have you thought about putting a fence topper to help protect the chickens from predators and keep them in? Also I have allowed boxes in the pen to entertain the chickens.
Love your coop! I love the white and black look too!
We use the chicken guard door, it’s super, incredibly awesome! So worth the investment.
Love the coop design we have a similar set up but we built ours inside of a shed (a box in a box)because we didn’t need it to be mobile. I’m also super happy with ours but you’ve given me some ideas. Thanks!
How Does the extreme weather such as freezing rain and below zero Temps effect the automatic door. Thank you in advance.
I have a question. How do the chickens know when to go in at night before the door closes? Thank you
Looks good. And I love your choice of music!
This is GREAT! Thank you for sharing!
Love your ideas. I’m new at chicks and just started building coop and run.
Put appropriate size wheels for the weight of the coop on two of those coop legs and a handle on the other. Then you can move it around for easier cleaning under. Better yet, just make it a chicken tractor. Add the wheels and handle, then fence the bottom in for a chicken run. You'd have to put a ramp in the floor that drops down to the underneath run.
That water box is brilliant.
Excellent coop!
Just a suggestion put a small lip on the feeder and at the door to keep in your feed and bedding. CUTE CUTE. THEY STILL NEED CURTaiNS. THEY LIKE PRIVACY. LOL.
Thanks for the tip Pamela! I knew I was going to have to add that as soon as it was all put together lol.
My daughter just got herself 3 chicks. We have moved them from the brooder to a small coop and run combo from amazon. It works well but i dont think it is going to hold up very long. So, i guess its time that i build a coop. I really like the idea of a separate water box. Thanks for the tour
The auto chicken door is what I need!
good luck and have a happy spring
So aesthetic and very practical!! White and black is definitely a nice look too! Love your chicken names. We named ours after the Golden Girls hehe
And I loved your attitude and energy so I've subscribed and liked. I'll see what else you've produced!
Cheers
Hello!
Do you have an updated video of your coop today with your updated feeder system and fenced in area around coop?
Thank you! ❤️
If you put your ramp parallel to the coop and make on outside foyer at the door you can stop the wind from entering the coop.
I am building one similar, I love the roof design
We are planning on beginning so this really helps. Thank you
Terrific job on that coop you guys! Me and my son are thinking about building a coop so I bookmarked this video. 👍👍🐓🐓
Hot tip, make it so you can open and collect eggs with one hand. Makes life easier when you have your arms full. Stick a cheap gas strut on it to hold it up.
excellent blog on chicken coop
Love your vids. I just orderd a compost thing that is on a stand so that I can do my special chicken mix in. I use the pellets from Tractor Supply and the Scratch Grains plus the black oil seeds. It is winter here in NC and I get about 3 to 4 eggs a day with 4 chickens. We have no predators here in the city. Thanks for your vids.
Side note I love your jacket!
Looks like a sturdy build. I prefer to be able to walk inside mind. I hung my 2 feeders from the ceiling so very little bedding gets kicked into them. I also put them along the side so nothing is in the center. I put the waterer on the side as well, on top of a milk crate. It's just high enough for them to reach their beaks in and bedding doesn't get kicked into the water. Plus, more than a couple of chickens can get their water at the same time (which happens often).
I really appreciate you guys
Oh wow! The water box? That’s gonna happen. I’m running with that one. Thank you!
That is a 5 stars chicken resort !!!
Love your watering box!
& automatic door would be crucial if I ever do this!
Some great ideas!
BTW....love the backing track music. Bluegrass gospel is wonderful. Cheers
I love it!! It looks similar to the one we have.
Where do your chickens hang out when the weather is horrible? I have an elevated coup, and the first adjustment I had to make was to put barriers up around three of the four sides. I used clear corrugated plastic. I scattered hay in the winter, so they can get all comfy in there, and it's not dark. I have a ceiling inside the coop as well, so that I can vent into the attic. Gets cold around here (-30F just a few weeks ago), so I insulated the coop with pink board. I have a little roosting box too, but wish I wouldn't have put it in. In fact, I might remove it this summer. I have two doors of those big doors on mine, although that's a bit of a luxury. You should put a board across that doorway - a 1x4 to keep the bedding inside. I just put little hooks in, so the board can be easily lifted out when I clean. Your life would be a lot more simple if you kept both food and water out of your coop. Put a shit board under where they roost, clean it daily, and the things stay clean forever. I only have to change my bedding yearly.
The water box is a great idea!
Why not hang water and food under the coop? If you added some trellis or boards on two sides, the ones most affected by wind, it would create a great little indoor/outdoor space for the chickens.
Nice job!!
Great ideas for designing my own!
SWEET.....great job guys!!!!!!
☺️❤️ Thank you!