finally, done!

It's done! We still have a few minor things to do, like add a handle to the door, but they moved in the second we finished. Sooner actually, since they invited themselves into the run while we were working. This was the longest I had ever kept them outside, and as the sun began to sink, they started making upset noises, as if telling us to hurry. Naturally, after a sweltering 11 hours in the sun, that didn't make me too happy.

But having the Goddesses moved into their permanent home definitely made me happy. We were so tired that we didn't clean up or even get proper locks for the latches, which is why a stick is in the back door latch.

I'm not sure why, but the egg door is my favorite part. I like the way it looks and opens; it's so fitting and makes so much sense. I chose and installed the latch, which was one of the only tasks I performed entirely by myself. At the store, I didn't really care for the latch, but when I installed it, the look of it grew on me.

I'm so excited to have the chicks out of the garage. I can't wait to reclaim the space, have it be and smell clean, and most importantly, be able step out there without stepping on poop.

If I didn't already say so, I bought The Garden Coop plans online for just under $20. For weeks I looked up info on making my own and trying to plan, but I overwhelmed myself with trying to include everything and hardly being able to make decisions. The Garden Coop plan had pretty much what I wanted with the flexibility to add whatever it didn't already include. My basic requirements, other than what chickens require (ventilation, space needs) were that my coop have an attached run, house at least 5 chickens, and look nice. I originally wanted external nesting boxes, a slide out poop tray or slatted floor, and some windows, but once we started building I realized these weren't very practical for our level of skill.

The creator of the plan was extremely responsive, friendly and helpful whenever I had questions. The plan was a great start, but I also think that having such a plan made us feel as if we were obligated to follow it. We began to deviate from the plan more towards the end when we began building the henhouse, but in the beginning, I wish we had deviated more. Part of it was because I did the hardware shopping and didn't know what to buy, so I just followed the shopping list on the plan. It was great because I didn't know what to buy, but it was also not great because I didn't realize that screwing the frame together would have been better than nailing it together. DH found this annoying, especially when we made a mistake and had to waste a piece of wood.

Throughout this whole process, I kept thinking about how long this was taking and how much we were spending, but I know that DIYing was the best way for us. Although this is our first construction project, I tend to prefer DIY because I like to customize. Also, pre-made chicken coops and event custom-built coops did not appeal to my aesthetics, and that was important. This structure would be an important part of the yard, and I would see it every day. I didn't want to open the back door and sigh in resignation or wrinkle my nose in distaste. The Garden Coop is one of the better looking coops out there.

Modifications:
We used larger redwood boards for the henhouse so we wouldn't have to sand and stain anything else. It actually wasn't too expensive, we needed fewer boards, and it looks really nice. Some of the boards are almost a salmon color, which for some reason I find funny.

I didn't like the hen door in the floor of the hen house, so we made it on the side instead, which wasn't too much trouble.

The original egg door was too small and required too many steps to cut and frame, so we simplified it by making one of the panels open. This probably wouldn't work as well with slimmer wood. Ours was 7.5" wide, so it worked very well.

I didn't like having the human access door to the hen house on the inside of the run, so we built it on the back wall, across from the egg door.

Instead of adding a spring to the run door, we used springed hinges. Our run door also opens outward.

We added two extra 2x4s under the hen house in the front and back to which we secured the hardware cloth.

I wanted to be able to secure all the latches, so instead of regular barrel bolts (which I bought because of the list), I got several different types of latches, all of which allow a padlock or something else to secure it.

Still To Do
For the hen house, we still need to put linoleum on the floor and add the final panel on the inside wall. Though we don't have to worry about it for a while, we also need to make the 2 nesting boxes. The run door still needs a handle, and the door framing needs to be put in.

I also want to hang a chain from the middle board underneath the hen house to hang the feeder, and I need to get proper locks or at least some sort of something for all the latches.

We also couldn't get a screw in this one spot on the side, so I want to make something to hang on it.

Future Reference:
As I mentioned before, we would have used screws on the frame instead of nails.

Also, we might end up cutting and installing windows someday. I'd like to be able to see in there without opening a door and disturbing them.

I have been thinking about adding another door on the side of the hen house for easier cleaning.

We also bought a different length for the framing wood than the plan suggested, which did not work to our benefit. We had a lot of extra wood leftover. This was good and bad. Good because we were able to use the scrap for other parts or to correct mistakes, but bad because most of it is sitting there and we don't know what to do with it. I suppose we have enough to give away or to make something else out of them.

I can't think of any other comments or specifics, but I'll post if I think of anything. I'm really tired now, and I want to lie down. I wanted to read a little, but it's a little late and I have an early day tomorrow.

I'm really looking forward to lazing around next weekend. We're not gonna be taking on any projects at least for the next 6 weeks. I, and I'm sure DH, look forward to a break. Woo!

A big, big thank you to my DH. I couldn't have done it without you! ♥