I have been working on the pallet coop for a few weeks now. It is getting closer to being able to get some chickens in it...I got the roof on with the turkey's help. They really like to spend time with me when I try and get anything done. I was trying to wait on my husband to help with getting the roof on but because of rain and my impatience I did it by myself. I did have some problems, the roof decking is pretty awkward and heavy for one person to lift up into place, but I managed...but, the turkeys jumped on one piece and it was a bit windy that day...two turkeys jumped on the 4'x8' piece as I was trying to position it...and the combination of the wind and almost 50 lbs of turkeys twisted it and it fell back and hit me on the side of my head and shoulder before I could get control of it again. Yep, I got a big bruise on the right side of my forehead...but no bruise on my shoulder.
I got the decking up and my husband went and got tar paper for me after work...and I was able to get it stapled on before the rain hit the next day. I moved the metal for the roof one day and was able to get the pieces of metal up after the rain dried up a bit...it took me a total of three days to get the roof on, but I still needed supports, and because it overhangs...I will have to add even more on the outer edges. The turkeys are able to fly over the fence and on top of this coop too...I had three helpers when I was putting on the tar paper, but only two when I started putting the metal on it. I guess they don't like the he slick surface as much. I had on turkey hen that would sit on my leg while I was scooting around putting screws in the metal to attach it. the turkeys punched holes in the roof on the chicken tractor too...so while I was getting metal for the new coop,I got enough to do that small coop part too. I also used some that I had gotten for the outside of the chicken condo and replaced the poly carbonate with parts I had used for the old duck house. The turkeys kept getting on it too and I kept having to punch the pieces back into place. I figured it was a good time to change it...before they tore it up. I will use the polycarbonate on the run to the big coop where there is a good sized gap. Recycling in action...lol, they are small pieces from what we had cut off of a project for our house in Dallas. They have come in handy. We may have to put some caulk in some of the holes if it doesn't line up right when we fix the run roof...or when I fix it. It is suppose to rain again this weekend, so, my husband may get out of that project too. I am impatient and trying to get things done before it gets too cold.
Today is Christmas Eve, I worked on the pallet coop again today. I stapled feed bags to the outside of it, they are about like the weight of a light tarp. It will help block the wind and rain until I can get some kind of siding material for the coop. My son gave me a gift card for Christmas and I purchased a small pancake compressor to replace my broken one...so I will be able to use the air stapler to get the rest of the hardware cloth up on it. My fingers are still sore from putting up the hardware cloth with the hammer-in type staples. I got another heavy duty regular hand stapler too...that is what I used to put up the feed bags with. I am not sure what wood those pallets are made of, but I had a lot of problems getting those feed bags up. I had enough feed bags to do all but about half of one side of the coop. I split the feed bags so they would cover more area, so in another week...maybe I will have enough to finish lining the outside of the coop. I still have the hardware cloth to put up and a door to build too, so it will still be a little while until I am ready to put chickens in it anyway. I have to build roosts too.
Oh well, it is almost dinner time, I will close for now. Enjoy your Christmas Eve!
No comments:
Post a Comment