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PALACEpoultry

1 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

Chooks have to be the best pets there are! They take your kitchen scraps and return you the tastiest, freshest eggs in town.

Kids love feeding them and collecting the eggs. It’s also a great learning experience for them to see eggs don’t just come from cartons. As another bonus, chicken droppings are brilliant fertiliser. What’s not to love? This generous chicken coop is made up of modular wall panels so you can make it suit your space easily by taking out a couple.

Share the love!Show off your finished Better Homes and Gardens projects! Upload photos to Instagram (tag #bhgaus and the handle @bhgaus) or Facebook via bhg-showus yours.com.au.

APRIL 2016

SEEN ONBHG TV

What cluck! Chickens and gardens are a winning combination

palacepoultry

The residents check out their new digs

Dr Harry and Adam hatch their plan

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PALACEpoultry

2 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

BUILD A CHICKEN COOPGather your supplies

A Wall cover strips, various lengths, 45 x 28mm H3 treated pineB Posts (8) 3000 x 90 x 90mm H4 treated pineC Base plate, various lengths, 100 x 50mm H4 treated pineD Metal wall panels, various lengths, 350mm recycled metal roof sheetingE Metal panel studs 350 x 70 x 45mm H3 treated pineF Metal panel tops, various lengths, 90 x 45mm H3 treated pineG Wall sheeting (7) 1855 x 760mm (after lap) recycled metal roof sheeting

ROOF PANELS (2)H Roof bearers (4) 2428 x 140 x 45mm H3 treated pineI Roof rafters (8) 3007mm x 140 x 45mm H3 treated pineJ Roof battens (8) 2428 x 70 x 45mm H3 treated pineK Roof sheeting (7) 2390 x 760mm (after lap), recycled metal roof sheetingL Polycarbonate roof sheeting (7) 920 x 760mm (after lap)M Barge capping 3247 x 50 x 19mm H3 treated pineN Barge board 3247 x 138 x 19mm H3 treated pine

NESTING BOXO Back 1600 x 400 x 12mm CD plywoodP Side (2) 400 x 388 x 12mm CD plywoodQ Dividers (2) 400 x 388 x 12mm CD plywoodR Top 1600 x 400 x 12mm CD plywoodS Bottom 1600 x 400 x 12mm CD plywoodT Front 1600 x 100 x 12mm CD plywoodU Cover 1600 x 520 x 12mm CD plywoodV Side cover 490 x 430 x 12mm CD plywood

ROOSTW Roost ends 500 x 500 x 500 x 12mm CD plywoodX Perch 1200 x 70 x 45mm H3 treated pine

SIGN (OPTIONAL)n Letters 100 x 6mm marine plyn Sign 1200 x 150 x 6mm marine ply

You’ll also needSet-out paint; shovel; 1.3m³ roadbase; hired plate compactor; wire mesh; hammer; metal irrigation stakes; 100mm and 50mm galvanised batten screws; chicken wire; galvanised staple nails; wire cutters; power saw with fence attachment; galvanised strap hinges (2); angle grinder; post-hole digger or hired auger; spirit level; quick-set concrete (2 bags per hole); stringline; roofing screws; polycarbonate roofing screws; heavy-duty scissors; heavy-duty gate spring; padbolt; timber to mount nesting box and chicken feeders; chicken feeders and drinkers; spray adhesive; jigsaw; sandpaper; exterior acrylic paint; paintbrushes and rollers; construction adhesive; sawdust

Notes n All timber pre-stained prior to assembly (we used Cabot’s

Deck & Exterior Stain in Blackburn).n All screws 100mm galvanised batten screws, unless otherwise mentioned.

WALL FRAMESWALLS 1 & 2n Frame side (4) 2060mmn Cross pieces (8) 2175mmn Long centre stud (4) 805mm n Short centre stud (2) 270mm

WALL 3n Right frame side 2060mmn Left frame side 1945mmn Cross pieces (3) 1275mmn Top cross piece 1284mm

WALL 4n Right frame side 1933mm n Left frame side 1818mm n Cross pieces (3) 1275mmn Top cross piece 1284mm

WALLS 5 & 6 n Frame side (4) 1804mmn Cross pieces (6) 2175mm

WALL 7n Right frame side 1818mmn Left frame side 1968mmn Cross pieces (3) 1660mmn Top cross piece 1670mm

GATEn Right frame side 1964mmn Left frame side 2044mmn Cross pieces (3) 860mmn Top cross piece 867mmn Brace (2) 1200mm approx.

Notesn All wall frame timber 90 x 45mm

H3 treated pine.n Structure is built with a

roof on a 5° angle.n Dimensions given are to long

point of all angled cuts.n Frames viewed from outside when

determining left and right sides.

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PALACEpoultry

3 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

Wal

l 1

Wal

l 2

Wal

l 3

Wal

l 4

Wal

l 5W

all 6

Wal

l 7

Gat

e

Roo

f pa

nel

Roo

f pa

nel

I

A

J

K

L

B

C

E

F

G

H

KM

LN

MN

D

Chicken coop diagram

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4 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

Nesting box

Roost

O

U

W

V

TQ

S P

R

X

Typical wall layout

Long centre stud(walls 1 and 2)

Frame side

Cross pieces

Angled topcross piece

(walls 3, 4 and 7)

Extra heightand cross piece(walls 1 and 2)

Gate

Topcross piece

Crosspieces

Leftframe side

Brace

Rightframe side

Brace

Nesting box

Roost

O

U

W

V

TQ

S P

R

X

Nesting box diagram

Roost diagram

Gate diagramTypical wall layout diagram

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5 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

3STEP

4STEP

5STEP

1STEP

steps

6STEP

Here’s how STEP 1 Clear area for coop and use set-out paint to mark its location.

STEP 2 If land is sloping, use shovel to excavate as required to make a level base.

STEP 3 Spread a layer of roadbase 50mm thick. Compact using a hired plate compactor.

STEP 4 To prevent vermin and foxes from burrowing into coop, lay sheets of wire mesh over roadbase so edges slightly overlap.

STEP 5 To hold mesh down, hammer metal irrigation stakes through laps in mesh and into roadbase.

STEP 6 Screw together wall frames (refer to pages 2–4 for parts list and Typical wall layout diagram). Working from bottom of frame, space cross pieces 850 and 1700mm up sides. Walls 5 and 6 have 1 central cross piece only. On walls 1 and 2 install long and short studs between cross pieces.

2STEP

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6 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

11STEP

STEP 7 The angle for the cut at top of angled walls is 5°. Cut 1 end of frame sides and both ends of top cross piece with saw on this angle.

STEP 8 Construct gate as shown on diagram on page 4. If hinging on other side, run braces from bottom corner of hinged side.

STEP 9 For walls covered with chicken wire (walls 1–4 and gate), roll chicken wire over frame. Use galvanised staple nails to hold wire down. Attach one side then stretch across frame, nailing as you go. Use wire cutters to cut off excess wire.

STEP 10 Using power saw with fence attachment, rip 90 x 45mm pine into 3 pieces 28mm wide for wall cover strips (A). Cut to fit over outside edges of frame with chicken wire. Use 50mm galvanised screws to attach. Attach galvanised strap hinges to gate prior to attaching cover strips, cutting them in around the hinges. STEP 11 Using angle grinder, cut holes in wire mesh on ground for posts (B).

STEP 12 Using a post-hole digger (or a hired auger for a less strenuous option) dig 250mm diameter holes 800mm deep.

STEP 13 In 1 corner of coop, put a post in hole, make plumb and concrete in position.

STEP 14 To make the base plate (C), cut 200 x 50mm sleepers in ½ along their length. Place on flat so edge is flush with inside of post. Make level.

steps

12STEP9STEP

10STEP

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PALACEpoultry

Check with councilBefore you bring your chickens home to roost, check with your local council if they have rules on keeping chooks. There may be limits on the number of birds or the distances from boundaries. Most councils won’t allow you to keep a rooster, but early morning wake-up calls might not be on your agenda anyway!

7 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

24STEP

18STEP

STEP 15 Sit wall on base plate and butt into post. Make inside edge flush with post. Screw through wall frame into post and base plate.

STEP 16 Place post at other end of this wall panel and screw together. Continue installing base plate, wall panel and next post and screw together. Make sure end post is in correct position, make plumb and concrete.

STEP 17 Stretch stringline between end posts and make taut. Align centre post with stringline to ensure this side of coop is straight, then concrete.

STEP 18 Repeat Steps 14–17 to install wall panels and posts for rest of coop. Allow a gap of 15mm around gate to adjacent posts.

STEP 19 When concrete is set, cut posts flush with top of walls.

STEP 20 Lay another 40mm of roadbase over mesh on floor and compact.

STEP 21 For metal wall panels (D) at bottom of walls with chicken wire, use angle grinder to cut recycled roof sheeting to fit inside wall frames and be 350mm high. Screw roof sheeting to metal panel studs (E) at ends of sheet using roofing screws. Place this assembly in position at bottom of wall and screw through studs to posts. Place metal panel top (F) on studs and screw down into them.

STEP 22 Attach wall sheeting (G) to walls not covered by chicken wire. Put in position and use roofing screws to attach to wall.

STEP 23 To join roof bearer (H) to roof rafter (I), cut rafters with 5° angle at each end. Make angle go in same direction across timber. Butt a rafter into each end of roof bearer and screw together using 2 screws per rafter. Evenly space other rafters between these and screw them in.

STEP 24 Place roof battens (J) across rafters and screw together. Place a batten over roof bearer and evenly space those between.

steps

16STEP

22STEP15STEP

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PALACEpoultry

Chook-house basicsIf you already have a great idea for a chicken coop at your place, here are a few tips on what to include:n Make sure your structure is secure so predators like foxes, dogs and cats can’t get in, as well as vermin, such as rats. n Provide a covered area to keep your birds out of the elements. They’ll also need nesting boxes so they have somewhere to lay their eggs. n To make cleaning out the coop easier for you and your helpers, give yourself as much access to the inside as you can. n So your chickens can roost, provide a perch. This can be as simple as an old broomstick or narrow length of timber. Set it about 250–300mm from the ground.

8 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

31STEP27STEP

STEP 25 Place roof sheeting (K) in bottom corner of roof panel so side is flush with rafter. Make end of sheet overhang roof bearer by at least 50mm. Starting from the third corrugation from side of roof panel, screw through every third corrugation into roof battens using roofing screws. Do not screw through batten where top of roof sheet ends, or where next sheet will overlap.

STEP 26 Repeat Step 25 to attach following roof sheets. Overlap preceding sheet by 1½ corrugations and put a roofing screw through the lap. Cut final sheet with angle grinder to width to make flush with rafter at this side of the roof.

STEP 27 Place polycarbonate roof

sheeting (L) at top end of roof panel so it overlaps metal sheets. Make it overhang top of roof by 100mm. Use polycarbonate roofing screws to fix to battens, screwing into every second corrugation. Repeat to lay following polycarbonate sheets. Use heavy-duty scissors to cut last sheet to width to make flush with rafter at side of roof.

STEP 28 Repeat steps 23-27 to construct second roof panel. When laying roof sheets on this panel, overhang them off the side so they will lap over the sheets on the first panel when it is installed.

STEP 29 With a few helpers, lift roof panel onto coop. Align outside of roof bearer at top of roof with cover strips on front walls. This will make

bearer at bottom of roof overhang rear wall frames. Screw up through walls to secure. Repeat to attach second roof panel. Screw through where roof sheets on the 2 panels overlap.

STEP 30 Use power saw with fence attachment to cut barge capping (M) to size out of 150 x 25mm pine. Butt into 1 long edge of barge board (N) and screw together with 50mm screws. Place over side of roof and align with ends of roofing. Screw through barge board into rafter to secure. Repeat for other side of roof.

STEP 31 Install gate so the gap around it is even. Fix heavy-duty gate spring to gate and a padbolt on latch side to keep it closed.

26STEP 29STEP

25STEP

steps

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9 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, APRIL 2016 bhg.com.au

steps

37STEP

36STEP

32STEP 38STEP

STEP 32 Construct nesting box by screwing through back (O) into side (P) using 50mm screws. Evenly space the dividers (Q) between these and screw through back to fix. Place nesting box top (R), bottom (S) and front (T)on this assembly and screw together.

STEP 33 Where nesting box will sit against wall frame, install studs to screw nesting box into. Place nesting box into corner of coop, here into corner of walls 6 & 7. Screw through back of nesting box into wall frames with 50mm screws.

STEP 34 To prevent chooks getting on top of the nesting box, install nesting box cover (U) and side cover (V).

STEP 35 To support chicken feeders, install vertical stud between cross pieces on wall. Add horizontal timbers to suit the spacing of the feeders. Screw feeder clips to timber and hook feeders onto clips.

STEP 36 Assemble roost by screwing through roost end (W) into perch (X) with 50mm screws. Repeat to create second roost.

STEP 37 If you want to name your coop and create a sign, print out name on pieces of paper. Apply spray adhesive to back of paper and stick to a piece of 6mm marine plywood.

STEP 38 Use a jigsaw to cut out letters. Remove paper and sand edges smooth.

STEP 39 Paint sign board and letters using exterior acrylic in selected colours. Let dry.

STEP 40 Stick letters to sign board using construction adhesive and let dry. Screw sign to chicken coop.

STEP 41 Pour a generous layer of sawdust over the floor of the coop.

STOCKISTS Bosch Australia, bosch.com.au: Power Tools. Bunnings, bunnings .com.au: 90 x 45mm H3 treated pine, $21.63/4.2m. 140 x 45mm H3 treated pine, $27.79/3.6m. 70 x 45mm treated pine, $11.82/m. 200 x 50mm treated pine sleeper, $16.90. 90 x 90mm treated pine. Suntuf polycarbonate roofing, $28.25. 2400 x 1200 x 12mm CD plywood, $46. 1220 x 610 x 6mm marine plywood, $19. 100mm batten screws, $68/pk500. 1800 x 1200mm wire mesh panels, $40.79. Chicken wire, $81.50/50m. 20mm galvanised staple nails, $7.95/pk200. Galvanised strap hinge, $35/pk2. 50mm galvanised screws, $23/pk500. Quick-set concrete, $8/20kg. 65mm roofing screws, $64/pk500. 50mm polycarbonate roofing screws, $129/pk200. 360mm heavy-duty gate spring, $36. Galvanised padbolt, $8.82. Spray adhesive, $9.50/150g. Construction adhesive, $1.90/320g. Cabots, cabots.com.au: Deck and Exterior Stain, $75.70/4L. Dats Skip Bins, dats.net.au: Rubbish removal. Dulux, dulux.com.au: Weathershield Exterior Acrylic, $47.85/L. Royal Rooster, royalrooster.com.au: Drinker and feeder set, $85. Stanley, stanleytools.com.au: Hand tools.

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35STEP

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41STEP