Why's Open Air Coop Design
I decided to try something different with this open air coop after always having a traditional four walled coop, seeing poultry owners in Alaska that have flocks thriving with this very design in 3+ feet of snow I saw no reason why it wouldn't work for a Southern Indiana winter. I will add more pictures of the inside once I am through setting up everything the way I want it, having a bunch of chicks in the basement late fall I was in a bit of a rush to get them out to the coop to acclimate before the cold winter temps hit.I went with a 12'Wx16'L coop, 6' tall in the front and 10' in the back, unfortunately the header added last minute (found some spare lumber) cut down on the headroom so ducking is required if you're taller than 5'. I'm suprised I didn't wind up with a concussion before I was through building...
The foundation is just concrete along the walls with a dirt floor, I added sand to the top for easy cleaning.
For the roof I used sheet metal, the sides I used a combination of sheet metal and clear fiberglass panels, my thinking there was to allow more sunlight through the side for warmth in the winter, the birds love it so much I may add more for next winter.
The back wall is extra building material from our house, sheets of k line siding pieced in to fit. This wall faces north and takes the brunt of the weather while the front gets more sunshine.
The face of the coop is hardware cloth on the bottom for a more secure predator proof material and chicken wire up top, I later added some boards to the bottom on the right side for a wind break that can be removed in the summer for additional airflow.
The door is made of hardware cloth and 1x4's with a 1x2 wood diagonal brace and cable with a turnbuckle to prevent sag.
I'm still working on the inside and will update as I make more progress.
I have two skids that run the length of the back wall for roosts, the 1x4 planks are the perfect size for their feet.
I got a good deal on the two 6 hole nesting boxes so I purchased those rather than building, the galvanized metal will be a breeze to clean. I'm going to move the box on the bottom to the left side of the skid next to the other one so it doesn't get covered in poop for now.
I would like to to put a slide out catch tray under the roosts for ease of cleaning and collecting manure for the compost, save time on cleaning and reap the benefits of our chicken's poop making skills.
On the left side of the coop in the rear I am going to build an Ohio Brooder for winter time brooding, seems I get the urge to buy hatching eggs when the weather is bad and wind up brooding in my living room for months...that has not been ideal. In the years past when I raised poultry I had a feed room for brooding, after we moved I've been figuring out things as I go so it's been chaotic.
The 2x4 and plastic netting that runs the length of the coop was just part of a divider I had up to keep the birds from flying over when the dog was housed in half of the coop for training and shelter, I may take it down eventually but for now it isn't hurting anything.
I have a gutter I need to install on the front that will run to a water collection tank for either the garden or the chicken's water, I'll add a photo when that's completed.
You're totally right I think there's always something that can be done to further improve so no "final product" just the updated version lol