Official Coop Thread

[FranciscoR]

I am going to keep all specific build updates in this thread. Few things of course. This will take a VERY long time, so updates may be few and far between. However, please don't hesitate to make comments, ask questions, etc. From what I gather, that's half the fun!

1. Let me kick it off, took me about 10 minutes, but I threw together some quick blueprints for my coop.
2. Everything is to scale ( 1in = 1.5ft). This coop will be 15ft x 8ft (at the peak).
3. It will have 5 nesting boxes (maybe more in rear).
4. The front grid-box is a 1ft step for me to get to nesting boxes...yes, I'm short, lol.
5. It will be a 6 cubic foot storage area as well for gear, feed, etc.
6. It will contain a run that's sized either 15ft x 8ft or 15ft x 6ft. I may just go ahead and do the larger.

Like I said, these are very preliminary plans. What do you think?

 

[FranciscoR]

I'm out of control?!?!?!...lol Let another 10 minutes go by, and I drew up the side-view.

1. I figured one big window per side will be enough. I want light and warmth, but don't want them to simmer.
2. The entry for chickens is currently sized at 1ft x 1ft.
3. I forgot to include the front step, but it's there!...I promise.

 

[PapaChaz]

Absolutely the best idea is to draw it up, and have it done to scale! if you see something you don't like, it's much easier to erase and redraw than tear out and renail.........


looks great! and I wanna know how that sawmill works out. We have several projects we could use rough cut lumber on and a whole lot cheaper than buying!

 

[FranciscoR]

I agree, drawing to scale makes like a whole lot easier. This way, there's no surprise as to what the structure itself will look like. If done properly, it will turn out exactly ad described.

I will most likely setup horizontal bracing for the side runs. I prefer the over vertical. Horizontal saves the "look," and remains uncluttered.

I did have another idea. This setup is prime for separating type of chickens I will have. I'm not sure a out combining meat and egg chickens, and some online separation is necessary.

 

[FranciscoR]

Did a scale drawing of just the coop part (1 inch = 1 ft). It's pretty basic as it's only showing the roost, access door, and a little more detail with nesting boxes. Don't forget, the roost is mirrored on the other side. It will be a total of 4 perches, each being 2ft wide. I can easily modify them bigger once I an done with walls (simply lengthen boards).

(Edit: Windows drawn to scale are only 2ft x 1ft. They are not 1.5ft x 2.25ft as I would like them to be)

 

[FranciscoR]

The size of the coop is in question as well. The run is for now going to be 8ft deep. The coop itself will be 6ft wide, and up to 8ft deep. However, I am considering limiting the depth of coop to just 6ft, MAYBE 7ft. This way, I can put in a main door in back, and have enough wiggle room o get to where I need to be. Making it 6ft deep would give a 6x6ft floor for coop, and allow for a 2ft walkway behind it.

 

[FranciscoR]

Here is a top-down view of the coop itself. I think I have too much going on, but let me know what you think.

1. I have 5 nesting boxes. I am considering removing #1 and #2 to open up some space. I would replace these with a window for more/better lighting. I am only going to have MAYBE 10-15 chickens (upper limit).
2. I am considering dropping the height of the next boxes 1ft. I read the roosts should be higher than the nesting boxes. At this point, they aren't.
3. The entrances and windows are offset. I thought this may assist in cross-current ventilating the air inside more.
4. I accommodated a 3ft access door (could go much bigger).
5. I decided to keep roosts on one side. I have two-levels, each 4ft long.

 

[FranciscoR]

Here is a top-down view of the coop itself. I think I have too much going on, but let me know what you think.

1. I have 5 nesting boxes. I am considering removing #1 and #2 to open up some space. I would replace these with a window for more/better lighting. I am only going to have MAYBE 10-15 chickens (upper limit).
2. I am considering dropping the height of the next boxes 1ft. I read the roosts should be higher than the nesting boxes. At this point, they aren't.
3. The entrances and windows are offset. I thought this may assist in cross-current ventilating the air inside more.
4. I accommodated a 3ft access door (could go much bigger).
5. I decided to keep roosts on one side. I have two-levels, each 4ft long.

 

[aart]

Lower nests and raise roosts. Roosts shoild be about a foot higher than nests so they don't roost(sleep) and poop in nests.

Don't go too high with roosts so they don't crash into wall flying off of them.

 

[FranciscoR]

Should I just put the Nesting Boxes on the floor / slightly above it? My coop is only 3.75ft tall right now. I may need to make it a bit taller (not hard). Could just make it like 5ft tall and make life easier. To make it more easily accessible, I could lower the coop itself .6in or even 1ft.