Small Tropical Desert/Savanah Coop
A simple coop design for a small backyard flock in a hot dry climate.
When researching coops I found very few coops for hot weather online but I got some solid local advice, the below design is based on what works for me in my climate.
Notable features:
- Zinc cladding & concrete floor prevent predators & pests from entering coop. Cats, mongoose, mice & snakes are my main concern in my area.
- Open design allows for plenty of ventilation.
- Raiseable DIY sheets & shade cloth allow for weather control: DIY sheets for cold, shade cloth for shade & wind cover.
- Concrete floor is easy to manage
- Walk in height
Unfortunately I did not photograph the building process, but I will try and be as detailed as possible in my explanation.
Coop Dimensions:
2m(w) x 3m(l) x 2.2/2m(h)
One side of the coop is 2 meters high and the other side is 2.2 meters to allow for a sloping roof.
Tools Needed:
Wheelbarrow
Spade
Angle Grinder
Welding Machine
Drill
Rivet gun
Brushes
Safety equipment:
Gloves, welding mask, safety boots, goggles or glasses
Materials:
40 meters square tubing (25mm)
25m zinc sheeting (450mm)
10m chicken mesh (1.8m)
7m Shade net (2m wide)
5m DYI/DPC sheet (2m)
Binding wire
Roof Sealing cloth
Roof sealing acrylic
Paint
1x pair Heavy Duty butterfly hinges
1/2 bag of cement, sand & rock
Base:
1. Mix cement, sand, rocks & water in wheelbarrow
2. Throw a level concrete slab 3.2m x 2.2m for base
Frame:
4x 3m square tubing (12m)
5x 2m (10m)
6x 2.2m (13.2m)
1x 0.6m
Door:
3x 0.5 square tubing (1.5m)
2x 1.2m (2.4m)
Side Panels:
1x 0.45x2m zinc
1x 0.45x1.5m zinc
2x 0.45x3m zinc (6m)
Roof:
7x 0.45x 2.2m zinc (15.4m)
Weather proofing:
Shade net
DYI/DPC sheet
Instructions:
Frame & Door:
1. Cut lengths for frames of the to longer sides
2. Cut lengths to join frames at floor
3. Weld frames together at the floor end
4. Measure exact length between to top parts of frame & cut to size
5. Weld Frame together at the top
6. Cut door pieces to size & weld together
7. Cover door with chicken mesh using binding wire
8. Weld hinges to door & weld door to frame
9. Paint frame
Sides:
1. Cut zinc sheets into size
2. Drill holes through zinc sheet into frame
3. Rivet zinc sheets to frame.
4. Seal corners with roof sealing cloth, leaving no possible space for rodents or reptiles to enter
5. Cover the remaining sides with chicken mesh using binding wire
6. Attach shade net to top part of frame only using binding wire, this allows for it to be rolled up
7. Attach DIY/DPC sheets in the same manner
8. Place entire coop onto cement slab
Roof:
1. Cut zinc into appropriate lengths
2. Drill holes through zinc into frame
3. Rivet roof onto frame
And Voila you are done! Concrete floor can be cleaned once a week, or you can do deep bedding & clean once a year.
Total coop area is 6 square meters or 64 square feet. I currently house 5 hens & 1 rooster. They have an open air run which they have access to all day.
As the chicks grew into chickens they needed new furniture:
I hope this is helpful, feel free to ask any questions.
Constructive criticism is welcome.
Happy Chicken Keeping!
A simple coop design for a small backyard flock in a hot dry climate.
When researching coops I found very few coops for hot weather online but I got some solid local advice, the below design is based on what works for me in my climate.
Notable features:
- Zinc cladding & concrete floor prevent predators & pests from entering coop. Cats, mongoose, mice & snakes are my main concern in my area.
- Open design allows for plenty of ventilation.
- Raiseable DIY sheets & shade cloth allow for weather control: DIY sheets for cold, shade cloth for shade & wind cover.
- Concrete floor is easy to manage
- Walk in height
Unfortunately I did not photograph the building process, but I will try and be as detailed as possible in my explanation.
Coop Dimensions:
2m(w) x 3m(l) x 2.2/2m(h)
One side of the coop is 2 meters high and the other side is 2.2 meters to allow for a sloping roof.
Tools Needed:
Wheelbarrow
Spade
Angle Grinder
Welding Machine
Drill
Rivet gun
Brushes
Safety equipment:
Gloves, welding mask, safety boots, goggles or glasses
Materials:
40 meters square tubing (25mm)
25m zinc sheeting (450mm)
10m chicken mesh (1.8m)
7m Shade net (2m wide)
5m DYI/DPC sheet (2m)
Binding wire
Roof Sealing cloth
Roof sealing acrylic
Paint
1x pair Heavy Duty butterfly hinges
1/2 bag of cement, sand & rock
Base:
1. Mix cement, sand, rocks & water in wheelbarrow
2. Throw a level concrete slab 3.2m x 2.2m for base
Frame:
4x 3m square tubing (12m)
5x 2m (10m)
6x 2.2m (13.2m)
1x 0.6m
Door:
3x 0.5 square tubing (1.5m)
2x 1.2m (2.4m)
Side Panels:
1x 0.45x2m zinc
1x 0.45x1.5m zinc
2x 0.45x3m zinc (6m)
Roof:
7x 0.45x 2.2m zinc (15.4m)
Weather proofing:
Shade net
DYI/DPC sheet
Instructions:
Frame & Door:
1. Cut lengths for frames of the to longer sides
2. Cut lengths to join frames at floor
3. Weld frames together at the floor end
4. Measure exact length between to top parts of frame & cut to size
5. Weld Frame together at the top
6. Cut door pieces to size & weld together
7. Cover door with chicken mesh using binding wire
8. Weld hinges to door & weld door to frame
9. Paint frame
Sides:
1. Cut zinc sheets into size
2. Drill holes through zinc sheet into frame
3. Rivet zinc sheets to frame.
4. Seal corners with roof sealing cloth, leaving no possible space for rodents or reptiles to enter
5. Cover the remaining sides with chicken mesh using binding wire
6. Attach shade net to top part of frame only using binding wire, this allows for it to be rolled up
7. Attach DIY/DPC sheets in the same manner
8. Place entire coop onto cement slab
Roof:
1. Cut zinc into appropriate lengths
2. Drill holes through zinc into frame
3. Rivet roof onto frame
And Voila you are done! Concrete floor can be cleaned once a week, or you can do deep bedding & clean once a year.
Total coop area is 6 square meters or 64 square feet. I currently house 5 hens & 1 rooster. They have an open air run which they have access to all day.
As the chicks grew into chickens they needed new furniture:
I hope this is helpful, feel free to ask any questions.
Constructive criticism is welcome.
Happy Chicken Keeping!
