Intheswamp's coop and run ponderings....

The 2x8's are probably overkill but would work. 3/4" plywood for siding is also overkill but would work if it's exterior grade. Definitely would prime and paint all the edges before putting it up and caulk the heck out of it and prime and paint the exterior. Might be a good idea to actually cover the seams with trim boards aka board and baton type look. As far as locations go, all of the places you have marked are too far away from the house for my liking. Much of the enjoyment of chicken keeping is being able to watch them. You'll also need to go out to the coop at least once and likely more times per day so fairly close proximity to the house is a good thing. I want to be able to do something right away if I hear a commotion in the coop or run. Personally, I could not imagine keeping the chickens in a place that I couldn't easily see and hear even though I know people do it. Just food for thought.

Intheswamp said:

I appreciate your help and feedback, DM. It's odd, but you are the only person to respond to this thread. I was hoping to get some folks' feedback on the structural aspects of my project but looks like I'll be winging it by myself. Ah well, it is what it is, eh? Yes, Buddy's in rough shape (the EB) but he keeps on plugging along. He might be old, but he's definitely spoiled!! The doctor gave him less than a year to live....that was like five years ago. If we could get another one with a similar personality I'd grab him/her up quick. He really is a good dog...one of those rare ones you stumble onto once or twice in life. Farming and logging over this way are struggling, too. The paper companies pretty well cut out all the old hardwood years ago...trashing it as they went. Hardwood was cheap then...now that it's in short supply the price has gone up...go figure. Somebody has gotten into a swamp or river bottom...I've been seeing some beautiful old cypress logs coming through town for the last couple of weeks. Ed

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Your concerns are over! Terry has joined in the thread. Now you get another (and much better) opinion. I'll make a deal with you. If you put out some road spikes and hijack one of those trucks with cypress sinker logs on it, I'll come over and help you build your coop!

Thanks for the reply, TerryH. Yes, both the 2x8's and the 3/4" plywood would be overkill for both applications...but being only sweat equity involved with the cost...

I think I'll forego the plywood...it is not exterior grade...it was/is used as the flooring in a small warehouse (actually an old cotton warehouse) for a built up deck used to store automotive tires on...basically a post and beam foundation beneath it. There's probably 40-50 sheets there...maybe more Looks like I'll only need a couple of sheets for nest boxes and details inside the coop. I'll just have to come up with the cash for some T1-11.

The 2x8's will be overkill, but as you say, they'll work. No problem getting them (well, not much) in place. I was concerned about whether they would just add unnecessary weight to the roof structure that might be detrimental to the walls/building. I haven't decided whether I'll be going with studs on 16' center or 24" center...probably if I go with the 2x8's for the roof I'll go 16". The good thing about the 2x8's is that they're long...I didn't have a tape with me but I walked them off to be 14'...that length is subject to correction once I'm in the warehouse and have a tape with me. Being that long they could span the 8x12 coop longways and leave plenty of wood for overhang at each end. Or, they could span the narrow dimension and create a sizable porch/covered area either for the chickens or for the human doorway and exterior nestbox access area. But, the 2x8's would entail removing the plywood first...which I won't have much use for. I could panel the interior walls with it but I don't like the idea of wall cavities in the coop. We'll see on that. The plywood has been in place for probably 25 years.

I agree with what you're saying regarding ready access to the coop but I don't have many options. Shade is at a premium...and in south Alabama shade is a must. The only other place that would be close and actually view-able out of the window beside the home computer is pretty close to the house...location 'D'. But, it doesn't produce quiet as much shade, the coop would have to be built beneath the electricity service line coming to the house, and is very close to the highway. I'm still pondering this over a bit, but with all factors figured in location 'B' is still "getting the nod".

Thanks for the feedback, it all helps.
Ed

Posting to watch the build, rooting for your success, Ed!

Thank you very much, Jules!!!!

Have you started on the new coop or finalized plans yet? I'm just anxious to see how it works out.

Thanks for asking. No, I haven't finalized nor started on it yet. Lots of other things going on in life right now. Hopefully this fall (cooler weather?) I can get it started if things cooperate. My goal has been to be ready in January/February to get chicks. I'm not sure how that timeframe will work, but that's the goal for now.

I hope the "other things" are nothing serious. Much smarter building in fall/winter. I started the week of Memorial Day and "finished" last week. 100+ heat index every day of the build.

From a thirteen person operation down to a one-person operation...economy isn't good for me and the wife right now, but Jesus is still Lord so all will be well.

Memorial Day....I remember well!!!! I ran a chainsaw and burned brushpiles.....HOT HOT HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Several days were a killer then!!! What I did wasn't so much fun and I don't envy you working out in it, either!!!!!

I've been working towards getting chickens for the last eight years...been several major events along the way. We'll see what comes...