My first chicken coop build

[Tstraub]

I haven’t ever built a coop but I have built a shed and a greenhouse both following plans I found in the internet. For the coop I didn’t follow any available plans. I looked at several designs and borrowed ideas from several and came up with my own design.

I tried to choose dimensions that would make the best use of the material I had left over after the shed build to save a little cost on the build. I have it mostly completed and ready for paint and finish work. The weather here has not been good for painting but forecast for next week looks real good.

The work was all done by me and my 2 youngest sons while they were on spring break. We’re pretty proud of the work so far. It’s not perfect but it’s a whole lot better built than a pre fab and a whole lot cheaper than buying one from the local Amish builder.

 

[jmac11]

I'm totally impressed. We are working on our first coop as well and it doesn't look that good. We probably should have bought a set of plans...

 

[theoldchick]

That's pretty darned good. That roof is to die for!

 

[Tstraub]

I'm totally impressed. We are working on our first coop as well and it doesn't look that good. We probably should have bought a set of plans...

I bought the plans to build my 16x16 shed and it was definitely money well spent. I even referred back to the shed plans on this coop. All of the dimensions were different of course but the process was very similar

 

[Tstraub]

That's pretty darned good. That roof is to die for!

I’m really happy with the roof line. It was the most time consuming part getting the angles right on the trusses. But once I had the first truss built correctly the rest went really quickly with the miter saw all setup and air nailer the boys and I really ran through them like a well oiled machine.

 

[aart]

Oooooo...too bad you didn't know about this:

Welcome to BYC! @Tstraub
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Tstraub]

Oooooo...too bad you didn't know about this:
View attachment 3458753

Welcome to BYC! @Tstraub
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3458754

Thanks I added my location. I did consider cutting in a ridge vent but didn’t consider eve venting. The gables will be clear open only covered with hardware cloth. I looked at a couple local coops and I believe I have average or above ventilation for the area. I don’t know if it’s the right amount but the other coops seem to be ok.

I figured I would try it with just the gables and if it gets real hot or smelly I could cut it a couple windows or maybe a whirlybird turbine vent easily enough.

 

[fuzzi]

Thanks I added my location. I did consider cutting in a ridge vent but didn’t consider eve venting. The gables will be clear open only covered with hardware cloth. I looked at a couple local coops and I believe I have average or above ventilation for the area. I don’t know if it’s the right amount but the other coops seem to be ok.

I figured I would try it with just the gables and if it gets real hot or smelly I could cut it a couple windows or maybe a whirlybird turbine vent easily enough.

Beautiful build, I am impressed!

Here's a good article by @3KillerBs on ventilation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

 

[fuzzi]

Thanks I added my location. I did consider cutting in a ridge vent but didn’t consider eve venting. The gables will be clear open only covered with hardware cloth. I looked at a couple local coops and I believe I have average or above ventilation for the area. I don’t know if it’s the right amount but the other coops seem to be ok.

I figured I would try it with just the gables and if it gets real hot or smelly I could cut it a couple windows or maybe a whirlybird turbine vent easily enough.

What about screen doors?

It gets pretty hot in Indiana as I recall.

 

[Tstraub]

What about screen doors?

It gets pretty hot in Indiana as I recall.

It does get hot here during the summer days but it almost always cools down at night. I have one of those run-chicken automatic doors that still needs installed. So as long as the sun is up the birds will have the option to leave the coop and take shelter from the sun under the coop. That area will be covered in hardware cloth and serve as part of an attached run.