Authentic Woods KD (Knock Down) 10' by 16' Coop Build

[mcrvdeb]

Ted, I wanted to thank you for your entire thread and all the pictures you took during the building of your Woods coop. I had purchased the book and already drawn out the plans with all the dimensions when I stumbled across your thread. I literally spent hours reading and rereading the posts, referencing the many detailed photos, correcting my interpretations of the written instructions, and succeeded in completing my Woods coop in May 2024.
We had a majority of the wood already on our new property, so the expense was going to be minimal, and I decided to make this my very first construction project. You made it look easy. I admit that it took a little longer than I expected, and I had to get my husband and son's assistance in raising the walls, but I am thrilled to say I was able to build this by myself! We love it, the chickens are proud to call it home, and I would absolutely build it again if the need arose.
So, again, THANK YOU!

 

[Ted Brown]

@mcrvdeb You are more than welcome!

However, you researched and found the Woods coop option and were astute enough to choose to build, by yourself no less. Also impressed that you kept costs low by using wood from your property. You will know from my build thread that I like to keep things inexpensive as well.

I interpret from your comments that you also built it authentically? It will last for a very long time and your birds will thrive.

Thank you for reaching out. There are no doubt sound reasons why people go down a path of DIY design or buy from builders who often do not know what chickens require and charge thousands. SMH!!!

Enjoy!

 

[mcrvdeb]

@mcrvdeb You are more than welcome!

However, you researched and found the Woods coop option and were astute enough to choose to build, by yourself no less. Also impressed that you kept costs low by using wood from your property. You will know from my build thread that I like to keep things inexpensive as well.

I interpret from your comments that you also built it authentically? It will last for a very long time and your birds will thrive.

Thank you for reaching out. There are no doubt sound reasons why people go down a path of DIY design or buy from builders who often do not know what chickens require and charge thousands. SMH!!!

Enjoy!

Yes, for the most part it was built authentically, one wall at a time. The only section I built differently was the rear roof. I really had no way to lift the heavy panels up into place if I built them as the original design, so I just used horizontal 1x4 boards attached to the top of the walls. Not planning on ever taking it down to move so I figured it was a good compromise.
I will say that we are very pleased with this open front design. Our temps this past summer approached 100F for several days and we had no issues, then just had multiple nights of temps below -5F with no frost bite on any of the ladies. They are all very healthy and 23 hens are still laying between 15-18 eggs a day.

 

[Ted Brown]

... I just used horizontal 1x4 boards attached to the top of the walls. Not planning on ever taking it down to move so I figured it was a good compromise.

I did the same but used 1x6s, same rationale.

I will say that we are very pleased with this open front design. Our temps this past summer approached 100F for several days and we had no issues, then just had multiple nights of temps below -5F with no frost bite on any of the ladies.

It works as advertised!

They are all very healthy and 23 hens are still laying between 15-18 eggs a day.

I have 27 hens, getting 10-13 eggs per day; was getting almost none for a couple of months late fall. I have recently added supplementary lighting in order to get production up. Given your coop finish date I guess most of your hens are close to one year old?

I had no issues for the first 3-4 years but then production started to fall, moulting and age the main culprits. I am now in annual May-June hatch mode to have laying pullets December time frame. No doubt you will face the same thing.