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

[trumpeting_angel]

Wow, Ted, this coop is more complex than it looks! Nice work!

 

[Ted Brown]

The first ones will take longer than estimate, the last may take less as you get better at it?

That is always the way with repetitive builds which this is. How much is the question?

I have altered my plan to build everything and then assemble. I will put together the base using the wood that I had milled on site last Thursday then will move each section to the base and assemble as I finish each section. This means I will build sections in the "around the walls" sequence; next will be the rear wall followed by Panel B the opposite back side wall with the door, etc.. This should mean that I will only handle each section once. I will do the rear wall before I put Panel A on the base so that I have the bottom leg of an "L" to tie the two panels together.

 

[Ted Brown]

Wow, Ted, this coop is more complex than it looks! Nice work!

A Woods coop is a more complex build than a simple shed or hoop coop for certain.

The approach I am using vs a stud wall with panels is a tossup vis-a-vis complexity. The frame is simpler than having to do a stud wall but the 1" by 6"s plus battens are more tedious than using 4' by 8' sheets.

I am paying about $20CDN for 4' by 8' of 1" pine vs ~$18 for 5/8" OSB vs ~$25 for 1/2" standard plywood; both OSB and plywood will need a stud wall, add say 50% for that. Pine is fine unpainted and will last 100 years; both OSB and plywood would have to be painted or will not last. I believe the 1" pine will result in a better quality building that likely will be more critter proof that the others, it will definitely be less expensive but I have access to cheap lumber that not all folks will.

 

[aart]

That is always the way with repetitive builds which this is. How much is the question?

The last panel will take 1.2 hours

 

[Ted Brown]

Back Wall Build

This will be among the simplest of the panels to be built, expect that the front and monitor window panels will be close.

With two panels done a few comments are in order:

1. Anyone undertaking this build should have access to rough cut lumber (ideal for low cost control but not critical) and at least a chop saw, table saw and power screw driver.
2. Medium build skills are also needed given the sort of details in 3 below that are not documented and therefore need to be recognized as one proceeds. If these details are not recognized a coop will result but there will be various panel mis-fits that will have to be plugged in order to be predator proof.
   
3. The diagrams and verbal descriptions in the Woods book are enough to undertake this build but most if not all small details are omitted. As an example in this panel there are two critical details not discussed:

• The boards on each end need to be placed so that they overlap the width of the side walls (see pictures below). The panel diagram shows this but there is no discussion in the text. Size of the overlap is dependent on the exact width of the 2" by 3" frame members plus the exact width of the 1" by 6" exterior boards. In my case the width is 2 7/8" on each side.
• The top side of the wall needs to be cut on an angle equal to the roof slope to allow the roof panels to sit flat when they are installed otherwise small holes will result and will be large enough for some small predators/pests to enter.

This panel took 1.5 hours to assemble the frame and cut all exterior boards including angle cuts. I also ripped the top frame board to give the same angle; very tedious since I kept tripping the breaker. This board length angle cut is not critical and could be omitted but I am OCD.

It will take another ~hour to cut the battens, screw the boards to the frame and attach the battens. Total will be ~2.5 hours so getting back on track to my target average of 4 hours for the 14 panels.

 

[MiaS]

Looking great so far! Congratulations on some real progress. I agree with others on the getting chicks part. Don't be pressured. My build has taken me nearly 6 weeks working by myself almost every day, some days 9 hours at a time and I am eternally grateful that I don't have a bunch of ittles making me feel pressured to get it finished!! I'm in the home stretch but will still be taking my time to find the birdies. I don't want to be building a brooder at the same time I'm building a coop!

 

[Ted Brown]

Finished up the back wall and moved it outside. Took more like 1.5 hours so 3 hours total. It is going to be tough to average 4 hours per panel.

 

[jthornton]

Looking real good, can't wait to see the finished coop.

I never time my work... it gets done when it gets done. I don't even wear a watch or carry my phone around.

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

Looking real good, can't wait to see the finished coop. I never time my work... it gets done when it gets done. I don't even wear a watch or carry my phone around. JT

I wish I could operate like that but, though retired, I do other projects for folks, currently doing a dock system build 3 sections (walkway is 6' by 12' and two 12' by 12' dock sections) and a bathroom reno so need to watch where/how I spend my time. "retired" LOL!

BTW Thank you.

 

[aart]

currently doing a dock system build 3 sections (walkway is 6' by 12' and two 12' by 12' dock sections) and a bathroom reno so need to watch where/how I spend my time.

Are you charging by the hour?
Or at least working your time into the price?
BTDT.