Coop design feedback requested

aart said:

I hear ya on function over form.....luckily I live where form is not a priority.

Shade, sunlight, and air flow are all important....prevailing winds can play a part in designing a coop and it's windows and ventilation.
Could you build the ivy wall supported on a trellis set back from the deck/coop?
Ivy can become destructively invasive upon a structure....it can also grow rather slowly, so another plant might be more fitting for quicker coverage.

Click to expand...

There are reasons why one must go slow and ask questions! Measure twice cut once comes to mind. When you said trellis I immediately knew what I should do!

Instead of ivy I will use vinyl lattice. This will provide better ventilation and is washable. This provides a bit of "decorative" privacy and I won't have to water it! LOLL

Again nothing is to scale.

aart said:

I hear ya on function over form.....luckily I live where form is not a priority.

Shade, sunlight, and air flow are all important....prevailing winds can play a part in designing a coop and it's windows and ventilation.
Could you build the ivy wall supported on a trellis set back from the deck/coop?
Ivy can become destructively invasive upon a structure....it can also grow rather slowly, so another plant might be more fitting for quicker coverage.

Click to expand...

Great advice.

For plants that could be used as a screen...Wood Vine grows well in Colorado; Grape Vine grows well, though chickens enjoy the leaves of some varieties; and Vine Wisteria.

Lattice did cross my mind...it's good to toss idea around.

Curious how big your coop will be....I'd suggest going at least 4x4 for 4 birds, 4x6 would be better.
I'm intrigued by the hanging coop concept....but not sure it's sound.
Understand the no legs, but will the weight on the deck framing be a concern?
Complicates the water runoff panels, which is important.

Oh gawd...not Wisteria...that stuff can take down a 50' tree.....am battling that here, I hate that stuff-kudzu of the north.

aart said:

Lattice did cross my mind...it's good to toss idea around.

Curious how big your coop will be....I'd suggest going at least 4x4 for 4 birds, 4x6 would be better.
I'm intrigued by the hanging coop concept....but not sure it's sound.
Understand the no legs, but will the weight on the deck framing be a concern?
Complicates the water runoff panels, which is important.

Oh gawd...not Wisteria...that stuff can take down a 50' tree.....am battling that here, I hate that stuff-kudzu of the north.

Click to expand...

I haven't decided on the size of the coop or the run. Thats the next step after this. I have 12' x 40' to work with under the deck so size isn't going to be an issue. This gives me plenty of options. Once I begin designing the coop I'll have an idea of load bearing issues. With only 4 hens the coop won't be that large and material selection should allow some leeway as well. Obviously I won't hang anything that would create structural issues. I don't know if hanging it will be feasible, but I'm going find out!

Just my 2C.
1. The smell. Feces, fermenting feed and mouldering bedding. You will have to clean the coop / run alot. Think DE if you proceed with the project.
2. Movement. A hanging coop will have movement. I don't know if anyone else's birds hate movement, but my birds hate wind and instability. Will your birds want to be in a coop when it moves?
3. Shade. A shaded coop is cooler, but hens like sunlight and need sunlight too. You mentioned your deck is western facing; does that mean it will be exposed to wind and rain as well? Shade means moisture. Moisture means smell.
4. Ivy. I have no experience with this, but make sure Ivy or whatever plant you decide on is not toxic to your birds.

Good Luck!