New coop build

[JenandDave]

Starting construction on a new coop. A few things I wanted to make sure of.

Tall- I wanted it tall enough to be able to walk into for maintenance/cleaning.

Access- A full size door into both the coop and the run.

Spacious- wanted it big enough for my new hens to enjoy and not be crowded.

Predator resistant- waking up to dead chickens is heartbreaking.

Here’s how it started. The coop floor will be a concrete slab. It will be covered in pine shavings to keep feet warm but won’t allow critters to dig under the coop. This section will be 6’x8’. The run will be 10’x8’ for lots of room for activities! This section will be surrounded by a concrete curb. After concrete the entire thing will be framed as one complete structure.

Marking it out.

Dug down 6” and filled with gravel, then compacted. Hoping this keeps critters from digging under.

Next step is to build the forms for concrete. I’ll be using 2”x4” for the forms. More pics to follow. I have six chicks arriving the week of the 24th. Six weeks in the brooder after that gives me about two months to have the coop completed.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Not super severe, but we do get snow and blowing wind. Zero degree temps are not common but happen a few times a year.

When I was in Arkansas the coldest I saw was -8 F. The chickens were sleeping on the roosts in a well-ventilated coop and had no problems. I had ventilation on all four walls, that ventilation was over their heads so any wind went over them. The window at their level was closed.

I opened the pop door every morning and let them choose if they wanted to go outside or not. With temperatures below zero Fahrenheit if the wind was calm they went outside. Even if it was warmer but still "cold" with a cold breeze blowing they stayed inside. The problem is not the cold, they problem is a cold wind that ruffles their feathers and lets the warm air in their down and feathers escape.

 

[JenandDave]

Will the run covering be a solid roof? You are probably doing this anyway but if it is solid it needs to slope so rainwater runs off of it.

I'd move the run door so the hinge side is supported by the coop framing/wall. That should help stabilize it so you don't get sag at the side that supports the weight.

That looks great, I have to work to come up with any comments.

Yes, solid roof. Front wall will be 8’ tall and back wall 6’. Gives me a 3/12 pitch. The front wall will be framed as one complete wall that runs 16’ long. Both door openings will be framed with king studs, trim studs and headers with cripples above headers. Supporting a door will not be an issue.

 

[JenandDave]

The coop is all done! Seven chickens in there right now but the polish that I received as a surprise chick is learning to crow so he can’t stay. One of our good friends wants a rooster so he’ll be headed to his new home next week. Still have some things to do in the run (some perches and a swing I think), but they have been happily scratching their days away.

 

[JenandDave]

Looking good. Even with the 6" of gravel for the base of the run, I'd still put a predator apron around the run.

I think that’s a good idea. I was planning on planting some shrubs around the outside of the run already. I’ll dig it out, put in the apron and then plant some fun, chicken friendly things around the run. Have to dig to plant things anyway!

 

[3KillerBs]

It’s something I’ve been thinking about. I was thinking of doing hardware cloth in between two of the rafters, on the front wall (highest point) instead of solid blocking. Then I worry too much heat will escape in the winter. Then I thought maybe I could use a heat register cover, like for a floor vent, so it would be adjustable. Not sure if that makes sense here, but I can see it my head. Very long winded way to say yes, I will put in some ventilation but haven’t quite nailed it down yet.

You don't need to worry about keeping heat in. In fact, by cutting off ventilation attempts to keep heat in become counter-productive since an ill-ventilated coop gets damp and dampness promotes frostbite?

Keep the chickens dry and out of the wind and their built-in down parkas will keep them warm down to 0F and below.

What are your usual winter lows? Do you get severe blizzards with high winds?

I'm in a warm climate myself, but I could tag some people with experience in severe winter areas once I know how severe your winter is.

 

[3KillerBs]

Not super severe, but we do get snow and blowing wind. Zero degree temps are not common but happen a few times a year.

That's not terribly cold then. I've had my birds do just fine in my open air coop down to 10F this winter (unusual cold for my area). 10F in Central North Carolina in an Open Air Coop

Make sure that your roosting area is well-protected from drafts and that they have excellent ventilation above their heads to remove the moisture from their breath and their poop and your birds should be fine. The ventilation article I linked has information about arranging vents so that the coop is draft-free.

You can page back through the forums to see what people were doing this past winter in order to cope.

 

[aart]

What if I use 1/4” hardware cloth between all the rafters in the coop instead of solid blocking, then put up a facia board but leave soffits open? Keep in mind I will have a 24” overhang both front and back. It seems that would provide tons of constant ventilation. The facia boards would serve two purposes, blocking the majority of direct wind while not impeding ventilation and also keeping any blowing rain/snow from entering the coop. The back wall will be 6’ tall so I figure if the top roosting bar is no more than 4’-4.5’ off the floor that would provide the hens with enough clearance over their heads to avoid drafts. Thoughts?

Sounds like a great design, one I recommend.
You can put the HC on the outside instead of between the rafters:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/coop-eaves-2-jpg.1353557/

 

[JenandDave]

Sounds like a great design, one I recommend.
You can put the HC on the outside instead of between the rafters:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/attachments/coop-eaves-2-jpg.1353557/

I like it! Easier to install and just as effective! Thank you!

 

[JenandDave]

Does this meet set-back for your area?

Yes