A-Frame Coop Finished...*** New Pics Added pg 5***

[UrbanMama]

Quote:
That's what my son says! He told me today..."Get out my housh!" Little turd!

 

[mjdtexan]

That not a real duck? It looks like a real duck. Are you sure?

You did a really good job building that coop. Does this run in the family? Have any sisters?

Really, you should be proud. Good Job

 

[havi]

Wow, it looks really great. Nice job!

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

How about we "click on that" and "save to favorites!"

This is AWESOME!!! Best A Frame I have ever seen.

I've been inspired, and my checkbook isn't to happy about it either.

Whats the total building cost up to this point?

 

[UrbanMama]

Thanks for all the compliments guys!

mjdtexan...isn't he a cute duck!

As for sisters...sorry, your out of luck!

PouletsDeCajun...The cost so far is just shy of 400$

I think it could have been much cheaper if I had thought the design through a little better. First off, if I didn't have to make it look like a greenhouse, regular plywood and shingles would have been much cheaper. Palruf is cool in a lot of ways, but when you add up the cost of everything that is needed for it....I don't know. Also, I probably didn't need as many 2x4 rafters. I was just really worried about the plastic roof bearing the weight of the snow.

I also could have been more patient and scrounged a bit more for wood. I just didn't want to be building the thing in the middle of winter....and it's been so nice working on it! Perfect fall New England weather!

 

[halo]

Youve done an absolutely fantastic job, and your family is absolutely gorgeous. Lucky you! You should be so proud of yourself, both for building such a gorgeous coop, and having such a wonderful family.

The only thing that bothers me about this coop is the lack of ventilation. Im sure its something you can work on, but you will need to address that issue, I think.

Great job, tho. Im jealous of your talent!

 

[UrbanMama]

Quote:
Thank you!

As for ventilation, At the peak, it isn't air tight. I have the boards over the top to keep out the elements, but it isn't sealed. Also, I plan on adding a small ...I think it's called a gable vent? At the peak in the front this next summer. Thank you for your input, it's very appreciated!

 

[eggchel]

Beautiful job! It really is very nice.

Yes, you will definitely need some ventilation.

The other thing that you may need to address is the space behind the "base boards". If my chickens were in there, I could guarantee that at some point one of them would fall in there head first and get stuck. LOL Or, they would roost on the base board and poop into the gap behind it, or the hens would decide that is a good place to hide their eggs. Most likely all of the above and several that I havent thought of.

Im not sure how to solve it other than putting some blocking between each rafter (labor intensive.... or should I say "cutting" intensive).
\\

Chel

 

[halo]

A vent at the top will be great, but I dont think it will be enough. Even with the door open, the air will be pretty stagnant, and the ammonia fumes will be pretty strong. I have a Handi House coop, with the door open during the day, and 2 windows for cross ventilation, and during the summer it isnt enough. I have to open the back door and cover the doorway with netting to keep the coop cool. What you might do is cut out some fairly large windows in your plywood sides, and tack some hardware cloth over them.

 

[my first peepers]

I too am headed into my first chicken winter. As I have learned here...ventilation is also VERY important in the cold weather.
To sum up:
Vents=good
drafts=bad
cold and dry chickens=okay
cold and wet chickens=NOT good!

Oh and great coop!