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

[Folly's place]

Our local township maintenance yard usually has chipped trees and stuff, and would load it into our pickup when convenient for them, at no charge.
Mary

 

[jthornton]

I have been stalled, had to build this first.
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Nice looking dock, no wonder your customers won't let you retire...

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

I got some me time and worked on elevated wood square foundation for the coop.

Overall area is terraced in three levels with coop location highest. I will set the outside of coop starting at ~2 feet off the ground and expect the front (run) side to be three feet; advice from several on this forum @aart @jthornton etc. says: never; 3 feet to make retrievals possible; facilitate access 'cause it is never fun. I decided to elevate to maximize run space in the secure areas.

First picture is one of the two 16 foot side 4" by 4" maple beams, not cut to length.

The second picture shows the two front deck footing and posts; also shown is the front (south facing) ten foot 4" by 4" spruce cross beam, four cross beams in total.

• I will say 3' of elevation looks high; will mean a step&stoop to enter coop and overall building will be 11' 4" at top of monitor. Thinking of putting pop door in "man door" and let birds use step&stoop??
• Closest deck footing & post is cut to height of 3 feet; back post too high, not yet cut.

Third picture shows the furthest post in second pic but looking north at 90 degree angle.

 

[aart]

Thinking of putting pop door in "man door" and let birds use step&stoop??

Will you have a run?
Generally people entrance to coop better if not thru run.

 

[Ted Brown]

A couple of hours later.



Deck blocks need gravel & leveling; I will do 45 degree bracing on each of the eight deck blocks, both sides.

@aart good catch. Current plan is access to coop through the run, yes.

In the pictures above the run is in front of the horizontal beams and under a 12' by 12' section of the 36' by 12' pole shed (one pole of eight is showing). Means access to run is also sheltered year round. I can move the door but the location is much less convenient. Your thoughts/input always appreciated.

 

[Ted Brown]

Coop & Run pictures from East (furthest from driveway)

• 1st picture is from the road eastward along south face to where the coop will sit.
• 2nd picture is halfway along the south facing side and showing mock ups of two elevated coop foundation beams, posts, deck blocks.
• 3rd picture is from behind the 16 foot east facing side beam.
• 4th picture shows 10" spikes used to cross nail each 45 degree corner.

@aart please spell out negatives of coop access through the run.

I have re-looked at the site placement vis-a-vis trees, open lanes, etc..

I could work with the people door on the far east "inconvenient" side as it will mean passing the south facing open wall easily and often - both good things. Regardless of this the door into the run will continue to be under the covered pole shed and therefore convenient year round.

 

[aart]

@aart please spell out negatives of coop access through the run......

Having to open more than one door, poop on yer shoes.

.... the door into the run will continue to be under the covered pole shed and therefore convenient year round.

Well, then that may be just fine!

 

[Ted Brown]

@aart I will move the door, modified footprint with stair/landing right side is:

 

[Ted Brown]

Long delay, paying work and a broken tractor (needed to lift wall sections into place) can do that to one. I have sixteen fertilized eggs arriving with my sister early Tuesday morning and seven 19 week ready to lay hens arriving Friday. I would have delayed on getting birds but I am running out of runway weather wise, already cooling off quickly here.

Much left to do...

I have built the foundation (one side beam yet to put in place but needed access for the tractor to erect walls) and am started on coop wall assembly.

Plan is to enclose the space under the coop with 1/2" hardware cloth. Initally this will be the run space but I will add another 12' by 12' space immediately adjacent to the coop as soon as it is finished.

 

[MiaS]

Long delay, paying work and a broken tractor (needed to lift wall sections into place) can do that to one. I have sixteen fertilized eggs arriving with my sister early Tuesday morning and seven 19 week ready to lay hens arriving Friday. I would have delayed on getting birds but I am running out of runway weather wise, already cooling off quickly here.

Much left to do...

I have built the foundation (one side beam yet to put in place but needed access for the tractor to erect walls) and am started on coop wall assembly.

Plan is to enclose the space under the coop with 1/2" hardware cloth. Initally this will be the run space but I will add another 12' by 12' space immediately adjacent to the coop as soon as it is finished.

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Great to see you back at it Ted. Better hurry for those chicky babies