This is a short article listing the attributes of the barn style coop I built from scratch. I'm sorry I misplaced the plans for this build but the basic idea is fairly simple.
I got the basic idea from some posts on here and some internet searching.
The Coop:
Features are described as close as possible from the view of the posted picture.
I got the basic idea from some posts on here and some internet searching.
The Coop:
Features are described as close as possible from the view of the posted picture.
- General dimensions: 8ft by 4ft to make easy lumber cuts
- Framing is done with 2x2's I ripped from treated 2x4's, the bottom of the frame is made of 2x4's for added strength.
- Method of fastener construction is pre-drilling with coated dry-wall type screws, no nails 'cept for the roofin' tacks
- Paint is a coat of kilz and a coat of exterior barn red color, the chicken ladder is white/gray (but is dirty in the picture)
- Coop box has a gambrel style roof, I used a online calculator to find the angles necessary for this.
- Coop box is approximately 32" in depth, height of nesting compartment is 24", box enclosed roof section is calculated by the gambrel roof dimensions minus overhang.
- The wheels which are not completely visible are basic lawnmower type wheels bolted through the frame. It makes the coop end sit off the ground about 1/2" to 3/4" on hard level ground.
- Handles on front are just braced 2x4's, due to the width of 48" it does require two people to move this heavy thing!
- The wire or fencing is standard rabbit cage type wire, note: due to past experience I find regular chicken wire almost useless as a safety barrier when there is the possibility of predators such as dogs, coyotes, skunks, foxes and such. Rabbit cage wire is heavier, stronger, and, in my opinion, easier to install due to its more rigid nature and resists stretching and compressing.
- All hinges and hardware are spec'd to be black coated stainless, These can be purchased from any number of sources. I recommend stainless, color and style are just a preference thing.
- Front door is 24" wide by 48" tall opening from the outside.
- Top door is 24" deep by 48" wide opening from the outside, I use this to get to the hanging water bucket.
- Nest box doors are double doors in the back of the coop not shown in the picture with basic hook and loop stainless old fashioned screen door type fasteners.
- In the box is a roosting bar running horizontal, four nest boxes made with a semi-framed removable divider that can be lifted and slid out one of the back doors for cleaning.
- Below the roosting bar is a horizontal framed wired hollow removable 'shelf' to let the droppings fall through the wire to the ground, this has handles on the far side not shown in the picture for cleaning, This can be covered with a cut piece of paneling in cold weather.
- The framed window in the top front of the box has a wire backing and the frame is slotted from the left side because there is a solid piece of paneling with a partial framing trim that slides in place during cold weather but is left out for ventilation during warmer weather which is most of the time here in Oklahoma.
- Last but not least is an later addition of a homemade pvc feeder system using 4" DWV pipe a 90deg plus a 22.5deg angle fitting and a slide on cap to keep the rain out, some adjustment to the fittings was needed to keep the feed from falling through on filling, I put a partial restrictor in the bottom end that I cut from a displosable painters cup. I may revise this and put another piece of piping instead.
- One RIR hen named 'mabel', friends to be added very soon!
