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

[aart]

I like my raised coop shed, shed was already raised with step and a porch at entry.
But I did partition off a smaller portion(4x8) for the 'under-run' so I would not have to crawl too far if there was a problem under there.

 

[Ted Brown]

@aart

I will have access underneath from both long sides so a maximum of 5' reach to anywhere under the coop; my rakes are that long. Winter might present a problem but I would just get the tractor out and clear along the one side where snow will accumulate.

While not answered I will elevate the coop 3' to make things easier.

 

[archeryrob]

I have elevated coops, 2', or so, off the ground. I have it fenced into the run as you said. My coops are only 4' wide and sleeping secure areas only. Food is inside but that and roosts is it. The chickens run under there when it rains. Rainy days they are not in crapping the coop up. At only 4' wide I can easily rake it out to clean ti up.

 

[jthornton]

I need to provide more run space and thought that the 160 sq feet of space available under the coop was an easy/quick/in-expensive way to achieve this. I would build removable frames with HC attached for three sides to facilitate clean out; fourth side would be open to the attached 12' by 12' covered run.

I also have read that it is easier to predator proof an elevated coop?

I keep pine chips in mine and rarely have to clean it, but yea 3' would be a lot easier to get to a sick or injured hen. I wish I had 6" or so of board around it on the 3 outside walls to allow me to put a deeper layer of chips. In the winter time I have some frames covered with heavy clear plastic that I screw over the welded wire as a wind break. I guess with your snow you might want some wooden covers for the lower 3' of the run for winter to keep the snow out.

I'm guessing you mean a coop with a floor vs a coop sitting on the ground with no floor?

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

@jthornton I will tarp the walls of the covered run in the fall to keep the snow out entirely, will probably add plastic or wood pile tarps (16' by 4') around the elevated HC sides under the coop as well.

I will have three double planked floor sections for the coop, they drop in once the walls are up but before roof panels go on. I actually meant that the elevation itself would aid in predator/pest control although I am far from certain about that. I read that using metal flashing on open edges helps?

 

[aart]

I actually meant that the elevation itself would aid in predator/pest control although I am far from certain about that. I read that using metal flashing on open edges helps?

It does in that it's not a low cozy place......but hard to say if something will try to dig under your removal panels.
Might be good to run a 2x4's along ground level and attach anti-dig aprons to that.

 

[jthornton]

I saw on here a while back a security camera photo of a rat going straight up an 8' wall...

JT

 

[Ted Brown]

It does in that it's not a low cozy place......but hard to say if something will try to dig under your removal panels.
Might be good to run a 2x4's along ground level and attach anti-dig aprons to that.

I will do aprons around all of the run and the three sides of the coop bottom.

I assume your suggestion for 2x4's relate to the HC walls of the run? I am still thinking that through, may do something like 1" by 10" pine boards around the bottom of the run walls to attach HC wall and apron pieces and to accommodate DLM.

Also @jthornton The HC walls will extend to the underside of the pole shed roof although I have not yet figured out how I will do the attachment such that the profile openings of the tin sheets on the roof will defeat varmints. Someone herein mentioned cutting a wood trim piece that will fit but not sure how practical that is.

 

[aart]

I assume your suggestion for 2x4's relate to the HC walls of the run?

Just around the part under the coop....where removable panels are.

I would build removable frames with HC attached for three sides to facilitate clean out;

So need something to attach the aprons to.

 

[Ted Brown]

Just around the part under the coop....where removable panels are.

So need something to attach the aprons to.

The frames themselves will be constructed of 2" by 3" pine on all 4 sides. I was assuming that I would bend 4' HC @ 12" into an "L" and simply attach to that frame. I am guessing you are thinking that the apron would be permanent and therefore need a separate 2x4? You may well be right when I think about removing an apron that is staked and overgrown with green stuff. Hmmmmm...