I Built This Chicken Coop Almost Entirely From My Woods

Quick Overview

The creator built a functional chicken coop almost entirely from logs harvested from their own woods, sizing it at 12 feet by 8 feet, and integrated a solar-powered Hen Gear automatic door opener for predator protection and convenience.

Key Points: The chicken coop was constructed primarily using logs harvested directly from the creator's woods, with only plywood and roofing material being purchased. The coop size is approximately 12 feet by 8 feet, and the creator specifically used logs of 4 to 6-inch diameter for the roosting bars inside. An automatic door opener, specifically a Hen Gear unit powered by a solar charger, was installed to secure the chickens at night and allow them to free-range during the day. The creator strongly recommends using 1-inch hardware cloth (chicken wire) on the lower sections to prevent predators like raccoons from reaching in to grab the chickens. To facilitate easier cleaning, the coop floor beneath the nesting boxes has a screened bottom allowing droppings to fall through to a dry bedding layer below, which is cleaned out perhaps once a month. The fermented feed system, which includes brown rice, bamboo leaves, and probiotics, is preferred over store-bought feed because it unlocks more nutrients and is more digestible for the flock. The creator built a custom roll-away nesting box system using 2x4s and logs for roosts, which allows eggs to roll to the exterior for easy collection.

Context: The video is a showcase and review by a homesteader who details the construction and features of a chicken coop they built on their property, emphasizing sustainable building practices using natural materials from their land. The creator contrasts this new coop with a previous one built in San Diego and highlights several key features designed for efficiency, predator protection, and optimal chicken health, including a unique composting floor system and an automated door.

Detailed Analysis

The creator details the construction of a chicken coop, emphasizing that it was built almost entirely from logs harvested on-site from their woods, making it cost-effective, with the only significant purchased materials being plywood, roofing, and specialized hardware. The coop's dimensions are noted as 12 feet by 8 feet. A key feature is the Hen Gear automatic door opener, which is solar-powered, allowing the chickens to free-range during the day and securing them automatically at night, preventing predators from reaching in. The creator also discusses internal features, such as using large, rounded logs (4-6 inches in diameter) for roosting bars, noting these are superior to smaller dowels as they offer a larger platform for the birds. The nesting boxes are designed as a roll-away system for easy external egg collection. Furthermore, the video touches on feeding practices, specifically using a fermented feed mixture (including brown rice, bamboo leaves, and probiotics) which is considered more nutritious and digestible than standard feed. The bedding system uses a screened floor under the roosting area so manure drops through, minimizing the need for frequent cleaning of the main coop area, which the creator handles about once a year. The creator also mentions using 1-inch hardware cloth on the lower sections for predator defense and expresses satisfaction with the overall design, especially its ability to keep the chickens cooler in the summer due to its design and the availability of fermented feed.