When I got an incubator to hatch my hen's eggs, I wanted to create a new breed blend, and I wanted a separate small coop for them. We looked at what is available commercially, and didn't find anything of suitable quality. My husband said he'd build me one. The cost was under $150, but we already had paint, hardware, and roofing.
The finished coop is 42" by 48" by 48" high in the front. The height measurement is the inside, doesn't include the legs.
We used 3/8" T1-11 plywood and 2X4's.
The 2X4's are rabbeted and the siding screwed into the rabbet with stainless screws. There are no nails in this coop!
Floor is 1/2" plywood. There is a stiffener below it in the middle. Roof is the same T1-11 and we used two 1"X2" rafters under it. Corner detail
Putting in the door jamb.... finished pic of the door jamb and sill detail:
We had some leftover peel and stick roofing, which you put on in 2 layers. It needs no fastenings. There is flashing, installed between the layers.
We dragged it into place w the tractor before painting it
Levelled it....
Because my husband used to work on boats, we have a lot of leftover boat hardware. We used a stainless snap lock for the door, and this hook to hold it open.
added the vents--These rectangular vents are heavy duty cast aluminum vents that were stored in the barn for decades. They can lock open or closed. There was a big thunderstorm the first night, with 50 mph winds, and the vents were open, not a drop of water came in. We will be adding more vents.
Ready for the chicks! Here they are peeking out on their first day....
Right now there is but one roost, but I will likely add at least one more, perpendicular to this one.
Top of run is covered in bird netting. I have had this 70% shade cloth that is over 5 yrs old, has been out in the weather all that time. I like how it lets water thru and stands up to sun and wind.
Last pic--The mini flock's future mini rooster, R2D2, surveying his domain......
I hope you have enjoyed this article, and have fun building your own coop!
Sue
