8 x 12 Woods coop design - plan

[IdyllwildAcres]

closed in winter

My Winter is like your Fall...
so idk

G

 

[Howard E]

Do they have a run or are they inside the house 24/7?

Gary

I view a Woods house.....built to specs.....as being pretty much a secure run enclosed on 3 sides with a roof. So as long as I keep the population right (4sf per bird), they can stay in 24/7. Mine have for a week or so at a time.

But most days, I let them out. Yard area enclosed by super hot electric fence. Plenty of shade, cover and interesting stuff to scratch and dig in.

But with the combination, I've only lost 1 bird to a predator inside or out, and that was this summer when a Wyandotte, who apparently got tired of getting beat up going to roost every night, decided to take her chances roosting in the barn. Coons got her the first night.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Wyandotte, who apparently got tired of getting beat up

Interesting, my Wyandotte is at the bottom of the pecking order as well...

Ya, I figure the coop will be big enough to keep them in full time, but I like to watch them pecking around outside I will work a run into the plans as well.

Gary

 

[affacat]

I have downloaded the sketchup model, but can't figure out how to see measurements in the program. Also, is there a materials list? I have printed out the model from many different angles but thats about it.

 

[Steve Ludy]

This design is based on Drawings and description in Modern Fresh Air Poultry Houses by Prince T. Woods, MD.

Also inspired by several other Woods House builds posted on BYC.

I have modified my plan to 8x12, primarily to take advantage of standard plywood being 4x8. Second consideration was being able to easily move it. It also happens to comply with local building code in terms of size and being "temporary".

Some details are still left out. For example, I have not settled on my windows, so I haven't drawn in the framing. It should have one on both sides of the front shed and possibly one in the rear opposite the door. And the monitor windows at top.

The floor is actually 7' 9" wide x 12' long. That allows you to use 8' wide plywood on the roof after adding siding and trim. I'm starting with 4x6 pressure treated beams for skids, set 6' apart, with 4x4 in between near the front, rear and center. Even though it's PT, I will level it up on piers or blocks. Floor would be framed with 2x4 on 16" center. Then 3/4 plywood.

View attachment 1264510

The walls are framed with 2x4, on 24" center, with no top plate.
The center monitor beams are a built up beam consisting of 2 - 2x6s with 1/2" plywood sandwiched in between. Glue it together with liquid nails and screw or nail it together. The beam across the front opening can be the same, only with 2x4, it has a center post.

View attachment 1264515

This currently shows the door, but does not have the windows.
The top of the monitor beam is 8' from the bottom of the floor framing. So one piece of plywood covers without a seam. Because of the door and where a window may be on the other side, you could probably work this out different and have it a little taller. But 8' was simple and fell in place with the other dimensions.
The bottom of the lower window sill beam is 5' from the floor.

View attachment 1264516

Front would be open, screened with hardware cloth. Big windows on both sides of the front shed and one window in the back opposite the door, depending on where nest boxes end up. And upper monitor windows.

View attachment 1264546

The current version of this Sketchup model is here.
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/4b95e6b6-534b-4c01-8f35-30eff7f29fdd/8x12-Woods-Poultry-house

Thank you for the detailed plans

 

[Steve Ludy]

There are electronic versions of the Woods book available. He discusses the ratios in there some. Take a look at Howard E's build, and JackE.

Also in this thread there is quite a bit of smaller Woods coop talk.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/3d-modeling-for-coops-appliances.1146094/

Edit to include another's thread on scaling down the Woods coop.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/woods-house-mini.1131864/

And a 6x10 version
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-house-aka-woods-coop-in-minneapolis.1144881/

Thanks for the links. I become a real geek when I start something new.

 

[Steve Ludy]

This design is based on Drawings and description in Modern Fresh Air Poultry Houses by Prince T. Woods, MD.

Also inspired by several other Woods House builds posted on BYC.

I have modified my plan to 8x12, primarily to take advantage of standard plywood being 4x8. Second consideration was being able to easily move it. It also happens to comply with local building code in terms of size and being "temporary".

Some details are still left out. For example, I have not settled on my windows, so I haven't drawn in the framing. It should have one on both sides of the front shed and possibly one in the rear opposite the door. And the monitor windows at top.

The floor is actually 7' 9" wide x 12' long. That allows you to use 8' wide plywood on the roof after adding siding and trim. I'm starting with 4x6 pressure treated beams for skids, set 6' apart, with 4x4 in between near the front, rear and center. Even though it's PT, I will level it up on piers or blocks. Floor would be framed with 2x4 on 16" center. Then 3/4 plywood.

View attachment 1264510

The walls are framed with 2x4, on 24" center, with no top plate.
The center monitor beams are a built up beam consisting of 2 - 2x6s with 1/2" plywood sandwiched in between. Glue it together with liquid nails and screw or nail it together. The beam across the front opening can be the same, only with 2x4, it has a center post.

View attachment 1264515

This currently shows the door, but does not have the windows.
The top of the monitor beam is 8' from the bottom of the floor framing. So one piece of plywood covers without a seam. Because of the door and where a window may be on the other side, you could probably work this out different and have it a little taller. But 8' was simple and fell in place with the other dimensions.
The bottom of the lower window sill beam is 5' from the floor.

View attachment 1264516

Front would be open, screened with hardware cloth. Big windows on both sides of the front shed and one window in the back opposite the door, depending on where nest boxes end up. And upper monitor windows.

View attachment 1264546

The current version of this Sketchup model is here.
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/4b95e6b6-534b-4c01-8f35-30eff7f29fdd/8x12-Woods-Poultry-house

Really like the design, but it’s probably too big for what we need. By ordnance they can only have 6 hens.

 

[Steve Ludy]

Thanks to everyone for their ideas, links, plans, and general support. I really like the design posted, but it probably too large. By ordnance they can only have 6 hens.

The feedback on the chickens was also very helpful. I’ll look more at the rocks and other breeds suggested.

Thanks again for a warm welcome to the new guy.

 

[Molpet]

Thanks to everyone for their ideas, links, plans, and general support. I really like the design posted, but it probably too large. By ordnance they can only have 6 hens.

The feedback on the chickens was also very helpful. I’ll look more at the rocks and other breeds suggested.

Thanks again for a warm welcome to the new guy.

No such thing as too much room when there's bad weather.