Chicken Coop - Work Day 3

Ok, have been a bit busy, but did a little work on the coop this weekend.  I built and installed the access door (my door).  The next step is to build the little door that I can open and close to let the chickens in and out.  I was going to use one door, but I didn't want to have always be stepping over and working around the little ramp.

After that, I can paint and add the wire.  Getting closer.

--Carter

Chicken Coop - Day 2

Coop is coming together.  Roughly 6' tall by 6' wide by 4' deep.  Not in its final destination, but starting to take shape.  Next is the front door framing, then the roof...

--Carter

Chicken Coop Construction in Progress

Just started working on my chicken coop today.  Shown in the picture are the front and back walls of what I would call the summer coup.  My plan is for this to have a wooden floor, some rods or limbs for climbing and perching, and to be open with wire mesh on all sides.  I am also trying to use as many already on-hand materials as possible to cut down on costs.

Total Costs (so far):

• Untreated 2x4x12:  8 @ $3.50 = $28.00
• Galvanized Wood Screws:  Left over from a decking project (various lengths)
• Total (so far) = $28.00

Bring on the chickens!!!

--Carter

Found Great Barrels on Craigslist

I found some great barrels for my aquaponics system.  I plan to cut these in half longwise and use them as growbeds.  These are food grade so no issues with chemicals.

Total Cost (so far):

• Food Grade Closed Top 55-gallon Barrels:  3 @ $15.00 = $45.00
• Food Grade Open Top 55-gallon Barrel:  1 @ $25.00 = $25.00
• Total = $70.00

--Carter

Getting Started

I have been interested in keeping fish for a long time and also with backyard gardening.  I suppose my motivations for making my own food are not financial; but rather, have more to do with my growing sense of concern over chemicals and unsafe practices when it comes to our food.  I stumbled upon Aquaponics recently and thought it was a perfect combination of my interests.  Aquaponics, is a lot like hyrdroponics in that you grow plants in a soiless manner and delivery nutrients to them by pumping fortified water through the system on a regular basis.  The different between hydroponics and aquaponics is the addition of raising fish.  The fish produce waste, waste fertilizes the plants, the plants filter and clean the water, clean water is returned to the fish tank.  This creates a very efficient system with no chemicals.

I will take some pictures as I put a system together and welcome any feedback.