4ft x4ft coop questions

[FremontCAguy]

Hi all,

I'm building a 4ft x4ft coop in good ole San Francisco Bay Area. I've been looking at this forum A LOT, so thanks everyone, especially now as I think about the inside of the coop (there's a thread about that--thanks!).

Anyways, I plan to have 4x4 wood posts as the base. The plywood floor base will be 2 ft up from the ground. This plywood floor will be used t build the structure.

I plan to make the front 4.5 ft high and the back 4 ft high (both measured from the plywood floor) so that I can put a slant roof for water runoff. Is that too sharp, or should I let it slope less?

Regarding plywood, is the 1/2 inch thick good enough?
For the walls, how thick plywood should I have? How thin can I go?I want to be cutout some vents that I can hinge and close near the bottom for cooler weather.

I also plan to add an outside-type nest box.

Thanks for your inputs! I'm trying to get it done by next weekend...wifey's having a fit...those chicks sure grow FAST.

Sonny

 

[4 the Birds]

1/2" plywood would be great for the flooring but way too thick for all else. 1/4" or 3/8" PT plywood will work for your construction. You will want to paint the plywood exterior. I used beadboard which can be found at any of the big box stores. It is thin but strong and prepainted on one side (basically baked on so that it never needs painted). $23/4x8 sheet but well worth the money and saves the trouble of painting in my opinion. Looks good, easy to cut, and makes building construction fast. A 6" slope for the roof will work great.

 

[renardsubtil]

Coop sounds good.

One other thing to think about is maybe the direction the windows/vents are. I live out in Livermore (East Bay) and the wind generally blows East/West so my large "vent" is not facing in that direction.

I also have a rather large window (it's actually an old door lol!) and I have it facing East to help allow more sun into the coop.

 

[conny63malies]

My 3x4 coop is build using 1/2in osb on the floor and roof and 3/8 in plywood for the side walls and nesting boxes. My coop is also raised 2ft off the ground, but only 30in on the sides with a 5/12 pitch. my frame is made using 2x4s and 2x2s. The way i understand it is that you only have a 6in rise over the 4ft, thats only a 1/12 pitch , not much at all. Should be fine, your area isnt exactly known for the snowfall . lol We on the other hand actually have four seasons with snow in the winter. Air goes through two holes in the big door (6inx6in each) and on the other side is a round covered vent that is actually some kind of a drain cover. Should there be a need i could also keep the pop door open and build a hardware cloth covered door for it.

 

[FremontCAguy]

Thanks everyone for tips. I think I'll stick to plywood and go with 3/8 then -- I checked out the beadboard at Home Depot online but it still need to be painted.

Remardsubtil, good tip on the wind. I remember in Nov-Feb it sure rains hard and windy here. But won't that help with ventilation. if it's high enough (and cover maybe like a soffit?.

You got a nice door--gave me good idea to put in a plexiglass or something for window but that'll have to be later. I'll post my pics up sometime. Got the run nearly built (8 ft long, 6 ft wide).

 

[renardsubtil]

Remardsubtil, good tip on the wind.  I remember in Nov-Feb it sure rains hard and windy here.  But won't that help with ventilation. if it's high enough (and cover maybe like a soffit?.

Wind is okay during the day when it's warm, but at night when there's a chill it's not so great for the chickens

 

[BLT79]

Is it high enough to do 4 1/2 ft high? I was concerned with mine as I thought it wouldn't be high enough for a perch?