Inspired by Poor Reli's shed building efforts I decided to make a chook house this weekend. Feeling pretty bloody happy with myself too. Jarrah window and corrugated iron from verge pickups, jarrah for the structure from the scrap yard for $40... and $100 for new wire mesh from Bunnings (too impatient to find a cheaper source). I'm 1.5m of 4x2 jarrah short to finish the door. Whoever said that making something makes you feel good was right.

Top Job, all you need now is a suncatcher sticker on the windows and a chandelier

Herry said...

Can I make a teeny tiny observation without bringing you down?? It appears you have gaps between the frame and the corrugated iron. Make sure you make it fox and cat proof.

With a name like DirtyHarry, maybe he's leaving the "proofing" to Benelli or Smith & Wesson

Nice chook house!

...on the subject of chooks.....





My chook run is made from mostly recycled/reused materials. The nest box is obviously a TV, the feeder is made from and old light fitting that I found in a bin...

Now, if anyone has a couple of Plymouth Rock hens for sale...

Thanks for the comments fellas - I had to come fishing for them on here as the missus and kids weren't too forthcoming with the compliments.

Herry - good point re the gaps. There's not to many and they're about 50mm, and I have been wondering about them. 50mm doesn't seem much, but I reckon foxes and cats would be crafty buggers (and I remember reading somewhere that a mouse can squeeze under a door, although I'm not sure how relevant that is). I've also since discovered that I either need a wire mesh floor, or walls dug 500mm in, or something like that to stop unwanted guests from burrowing under. I'm wondering if a row of 350mm x 350mm x 30mm pavers around the inside perimeter would be enough.

Skid - I was wondering what to do about nest boxes. and you've just answered it for me. Old TV's it is!!

SandS said...


that prime minister of ours .... she,s always on the box!!

The nose, the beady eyes, the hair colour.... yep.

nebbian said...

dirtyharry said...

50mm doesn't seem much, but I reckon foxes and cats would be crafty buggers

Believe it. Foxes especially...

In the end we rigged up an automatic chook door closer with an electronic timer, a washing machine solenoid, springs and latches, to close the door at 6pm...

A rifle.

sorry you are not allowed chickens or a chicken coup or any other sort of fun activitys in your backyard anymore..
poor chickens ;-(
no axcess for disabeled chickens.
not enough car parking spots for chickens
no fire management plan for chickens.
no Alteration hazard analasis of affecting exits and paths to exits side and rear setback of structure
no building permit
no termite risk assesment
unauthorized clearing of native weeds.
public hazard sinage "beware of chickens"
no chicken emergency evacuation plan.
.
no smoke alarms

Had chooks now for 2 years and across the road we have 30acres and have seen foxes drivin home of night but have never had the sly buggers take a chook, my prob is with the crows that theif my eggs and laugh at my scarecrow. Any good ging designs out there. Heard if ya catch one paint it white let it go and his mates will chase him miles and miles away and they will never come back.

Top coop DH, chooks must give out a few bum berrys for your love

BabaORiley said...

Had chooks now for 2 years and across the road we have 30acres and have seen foxes drivin home of night but have never had the sly buggers take a chook, my prob is with the crows that theif my eggs and laugh at my scarecrow. Any good ging designs out there. Heard if ya catch one paint it white let it go and his mates will chase him miles and miles away and they will never come back.

Top coop DH, chooks must give out a few bum berrys for your love

www.jetsongreen.com/2011/03/modern-chicken-coop-designs-studioh.html

If you search the site, there are a few on there...

Bird/animal-lovers please don't read on...

To get rid of crows you'll need a few tent pegs, good gloves, an open paddock & a live crow - I started typing the 'how to do it', but decided against it as no matter how it was written, it didn't read very well.

BabaORiley said...

Heard if ya catch one paint it white let it go and his mates will chase him miles and miles away and they will never come back.

do you think that would work with coloured boat invadors?[}:)]

busterwa said...

sorry you are not allowed chickens or a chicken coup or any other sort of fun activitys in your backyard anymore..
poor chickens ;-(
no axcess for disabeled chickens.
not enough car parking spots for chickens
no fire management plan for chickens.
no Alteration hazard analasis of affecting exits and paths to exits side and rear setback of structure
no building permit
no termite risk assesment
unauthorized clearing of native weeds.
public hazard sinage "beware of chickens"
no chicken emergency evacuation plan.
.
no smoke alarms

Peace can be made.

japie said...


I let them out every day,(they have a big run), and their antics always have me spell bound. When they go to roost they talk to each other for ages.

It is very soothing

I hear ya Japie...
When I was getting my chook run ready, I mentioned to my girlfriend that I might install an auto feeder, auto waterer (is there such a word?) and a 'roll away' egg box that allowed me to collect the eggs without having to go into the run. ie minimal effort.
Now, when I get home from work, I go in the run, give each chook a little pat and dig some worms up for them with a pitchfork....

We're getting chooks.
The old shed in the corner was going to be thrown out or at least 'verged'
Following this thread its gonna be converted to a chook house with the run under our massive grape vine.

Thanks Dirty harry LOL